Full Circle Associates

Ethan Zuckerman posted an amazing piece tracking on how western musicians and companies have been benefiting from traditional music -- without credit nor payment to those musicians. It is a fascinating trip down a labyrinth of myth, rumors to reality. A great read.

"What do pygmy lullabies and turmeric have in common? As 'traditional knowledge', they're both badly protected under US intellectual property law. And, as a result, they're an easy target for savvy IP 'pirates', those folks smart enough to stay out of the well-patrolled waters of US intellectual property and set sail for the untroubled IP seas of the developing world. It's the sort of thing that makes you want to say 'Arrrrrr!'"