THE Fiji Arts Council is trying to work with various handicraft makers in the country to authenticate their products in the market.
Council director Laisiasa Veikoso said it was their responsibility to help people understand copyright.
“Some artistes in the country understand about copyright laws and our first issue was to help other artistes who didn’t have clear picture about this issue,” he said.
“Once they have a clear understanding of ownership and having your own products, it will minimise the chances of them breaking copyright laws.”
One of the incentives introduced by the council to safeguard artifacts is to have “Fiji-Made” stickers placed on items before it is sold.
Mr Veikoso said the council had been meeting regularly with the business community to focus on this issue.
“The businesses are not issued with the stickers but the artist themselves now have access to them,” he said.
“We have given this opportunity to the artists to place the stickers once they have made their items. Then these items are given to the businesses to sell.”
But, he highlighted the artists will only get access to these stickers if they are licensed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
“They will only get the stickers once they have met all the criteria for producing an item that is up to par with the standards. Once this is achieved, they will be licensed,” Mr. Veikoso said.
“Businesses these days buy artifacts and products directly from the grassroots so it is essential for them to be registered and licensed.”
Mr Veikoso said a major concern still faced by them are products being sold by road sides along the highways.
“People who sell on the roads are not licensed and their products don’t have stickers so tourists are reluctant to buy from them.
“Once we identify these people we approach them to get registered with us and we also make recommendations on how they can improve their products. It’s upon them to take up the initiative and make this happen.”
