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Re:Ask HN: Finding the Australian Aboriginal flag in all art... by airbreather on Monday August 17, 2020 @11:21AM (#24188108)
The concept of licensing a national flag is interesting, other than to maybe prevent unwanted use in certain ways, is this not something owned by all Australian people?

If I draw one on a piece of paper and hang it from my balcony, where do I stand under this licensing?

And if I sell that on Etsy, or maybe a landscape that has an element in the background where this flag can be seen?

(I am an Australian, but not indigenous)

Re:Ask HN: Finding the Australian Aboriginal flag in all art... by thomasfromcdnjs on Monday August 17, 2020 @11:35AM (#24188223)
Here is a decent summary of the ongoing copyright debate -> https://theconversation.com/explainer-our-copyright-laws-and...
Re:Ask HN: Finding the Australian Aboriginal flag in all art... by pueblito on Monday August 17, 2020 @11:51AM (#24188373)
From that link, "Thomas was successful in establishing his claim to authorship before the Federal Court in 1997."

IANAL, but I believe you're 23 years too late

Re:Ask HN: Finding the Australian Aboriginal flag in all art... by pbhjpbhj on Monday August 17, 2020 @01:07PM (#24189206)
Authorship isn't sufficient for ownership of copyright.

Trademark is probably the issue that's most pertinent. Even if the flag weren't a work owned by Thomas, for copyright purposes, then it seems it's their trademark (registered or established by use).

IANAL