permaculture

[Martin Grosskopf <martin-g@iafrica.com>]

The term "permaculture" was coined by Bill Mollison, which has a far wider significance as a word in our common language than it has as a proprietary trade name.  Toby wrote:

 

>But what disturbs me, as it does Robyn, is that this goes counter to the
>many recorded statements Bill has made to "give permaculture away" (friends
>have a tape of him saying this at the Bioneers conference),

 

As far as I know the term itself has never been registered as a trade mark, and the Mollisons can argue that they have indeed given permaculture away.  They are just not giving away "Permaculture Design" and "Permaculture Design Course". Be that as it may, the Mollisons are reducing the significance of their great contribution to the world from a widely accepted practice to merely a limited branded product.  It's like the difference between the terms "architectural design" and "architectural design course" and the name of some lesser known architectural practice or school which will fade into insignificance when the owners die or the company goes out of business.  Why would the Mollisons do that?  It cannot be for recognition, as I have just argued.  As I see it, it can either be to ensure a stream of revenue or to ensure that there are no wayward teachers and practicioners.  I would hope that it is the latter.  But if it is the latter, then I would think that a fixed set of permaculture design principles would suffice.  Obviously some of the principles would be misinterpreted by some and corrupted by others, but as in any practice, there will be debate about when this occurs and when it doesn't, to the benefit of growth in the understanding of the practice.

 

What would happen if one called one's course "Permaculture Course"?  That won't be registered as a trade mark.

 

Martin

 

----- Original Message -----

From: <permed@nor.com.au>

To: permaculture <permaculture@franklin.oit.unc.edu>

Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 7:15 PM

Subject: Re: permaculture trademark alert

>What are the policy changes you refer to? 
what do you think might be the
>implications for PC teachers/designers 
worldwide?

the Permaculture institute now only issues certificates to 
teachers who 
are registered with them. to register the teacher sends in a 
course 
outline which is checked against the full table of contents of the 
designers manual (you'll need to have Science and  Thousand Names of 
God 
and every other section, large or small, of the manual in your outline) 
then if you're accepted then you have to pay, was initially $45 but i've 
been told it's now over $100
Appently to be a registered teacher with the 
pc inst you need to parrot 
the entire content of the designers manual - no 
more - no less, Bill & 
Lisa state the book is the curriculum and the 
total definition of what 
permaculture is

Other changed policies: 
the Pc Inst used to issue diplomas gratis to third world PC practitioners 
but now they have to pay full fee which can mean the equivalent of 
several months wages

could say more but it gets too depressing - the 
implications are huge and 
undermine the core agreements and rights of PDC 
holders and teachers that 
have been restated and reaffirmed for the past 20 
years

Robyn

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