The government said it will pay A$20 million (£10.6 million) for licensing rights to the design by Harold Thomas, which has become a potent symbol of the struggles of Australia's first people since being launched at the National Aborigines Day march in Adelaide in 1971.
How much is the Aboriginal flag worth?
In a deal worth more than 20 million Australian dollars ($14 million), Prime Minister Scott Morrison's government secured the rights from Indigenous artist Harold Thomas, who created the flag over 50 years ago.
Who owns the Australian Aboriginal flag?
This week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the federal government had “freed the Aboriginal flag for Australians”. After an extensive social media campaign to #Freetheflag, the federal government has purchased the copyright from Harold Thomas, the Luritja artist who created it more than 50 years ago.
Who got the 20 million for the Aboriginal flag?
On Tuesday, the federal government announced it had paid more than $20 million to Luritja artist Harold Thomas and licence holders to secure copyright for the iconic flag.
When was the Aboriginal flag bought?
The flag was first raised on 9 July 1971. In 1995, the Aboriginal flag was recognised by the Australian Government as an official 'Flag of Australia' under the Flags Act 1953. In January 2022, the Commonwealth of Australia secured the copyright of the Aboriginal flag for free, public use.
16 related questions foundHow much did the Australian flag cost?
The $20.05 million deal ends ongoing controversies over the flag's use stemming from non-Indigenous company WAM Clothing buying the exclusive rights to the flag in November 2018. The licence had meant anyone wishing to use the flag on clothing or in physical and digital media had to ask permission and pay a fee.
Who used to own the Aboriginal flag?
In the words of the Prime Minister, the Aboriginal flag is now free to be used by all Australians. More than 50 years after the flag was designed, the federal government has acquired the copyright in a $20 million deal with Luritja artist Harold Thomas.
Did Harold Thomas sell the rights to the Aboriginal flag?
The Australian Government negotiated the licence of the Aboriginal flag, which was owned by Luritja artist and designer / creator Harold Thomas, plus three companies that Thomas had licenced the design to in recent years – WAM Clothing, Gifts Mate, and Flagworld.
Who is Ben Wooster?
WAM Clothing is owned by Ben Wooster and Semele Moore, two non-Indigenous people. In fact, Wooster was previously found guilty of selling "authentic" Indigenous art that was actually made in Indonesia. He was fined $2.3 million for it. So, he seems like the kind of guy I'd trust with my culture...
How do I get a free Aboriginal flag?
The Aboriginal Flag is now freely available for public use after the Morrison Government completed negotiations with Harold Thomas. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Aboriginal Flag copyright has been transferred to the Commonwealth.
Is the Aboriginal flag legal?
Luritja artist Harold Thomas created the flag in 1970 to represent Aboriginal people and their connection to the land, and it has been an official national flag since the end of the last century — but its copyright remained with Mr Thomas. Anyone who wanted to use the flag legally had to ask permission or pay a fee.
Why did the government buy the Aboriginal flag?
The Australian government has bought the Aboriginal flag's copyright in a bid to "free" the symbol of identity from bitter fights over who can use it. Indigenous artist Harold Thomas created the flag in 1971 as a protest image but it is now the dominant Aboriginal emblem and an official national flag.
How much is a $2 Aboriginal coin worth?
The 2016 50th Anniversary of Decimalisation $2 coin: Around 2.9 million of these were made and are “worth up to $10”.
How much is a poppy $2 coin worth?
In his video titled “Australia's rarest circulating $2 coin”, the man showed exactly how to detect a fake $2 coin featuring the iconic red flower. “The 2012 red poppy currently has a value of $180,” Joel said. “Due to its high value, people have been trying to make imitations and sell them on the market.”
Who is Semele Moore?
Semele Moore - Company Owner - WAM Clothing | LinkedIn.
What is free the flag about?
The Free The Flag campaign was launched by Clothing the Gap in 2019 to call for new licensing agreements over the flag's design, particularly for Aboriginal businesses and organisations.
Who is WAM clothing?
WAM Clothing Pty Ltd is the exclusive licensee for a range of clothing and apparel, towels, and digital and physical media products featuring the Aboriginal Flag, pursuant to licence agreements granted by the copyright owner and artist who designed the flag, Mr Harold Thomas, for an agreed period of time.
Do you need permission to fly the Aboriginal flag?
Permission is not required to fly the Australian Aboriginal flag, however, the Australian Aboriginal flag is protected by copyright and may only be reproduced in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 or with the permission of Mr Harold Thomas.
What is the rarest Australian coin?
1922-1921 Threepence
The rarest Australian circulation coin, an 1922-1921 overdate Threepence sold in July 2021 for A$95,000. The virtually uncirculated coin is one of the finest examples of its type.
What Australian 50 cent coins are worth money?
Truly uncirculated 50 cent coins from 1969 (cv $25), 1971 ($25), 1972 ($55), 1973 ($60), 1974 ($35), 1985 ($13), 1993 ($22) , and 1997 ($30) are all worth more than any commemorative 50c coin.
Are 1 and 2 cent coins worth anything?
The going rate for a circulated 1¢ or 2¢ coin is $3 while those in mint (uncirculated) condition can be worth up to $15. Rarities, such as a 1966 ''mis-struck'' coin, are listed for $95.
Who designed and copyright the Australian Aboriginal flag?
Now that the Commonwealth holds the copyright, it belongs to everyone, and no one can take it away. The copyright was held by the artist Harold Thomas, who designed it in 1971. It was first flown at a land rights rally in Adelaide, before gaining widespread recognition as a symbol for Aboriginal Australians.
Who did Harold Thomas sell the Aboriginal flag?
Harold sold the licensing rights to WAM Clothing for a $20,000 lump sum plus royalties over 10 years.
When did Harold Thomas sell the Aboriginal flag?
On 24 January 2022, the Commonwealth government announced, after more than three years of confidential negotiations, Thomas had transferred the copyright to the flag to the Commonwealth.
