- The Australian government has struck a deal worth US$14 million with the artist who designed the Aboriginal flag.
- The deal means the flag can now be used on apparel, sport grounds, artworks and "any other medium" without permission or paying a fee.
- This stems from disputes after the artist granted licenses to private companies to use it on their products.
Sydney – The Australian government has struck a US$14 million deal to buy the copyright to the Aboriginal flag, ending a long-running debate about its public use.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government had "freed the Aboriginal flag for Australians".
The deal emerged from negotiations with Aboriginal artist Harold Thomas, who designed the flag in 1971.
Over the past 50 years, the flag has become an important symbol of protest and celebration for Australia's Aboriginal people.
But there was intense debate about public use of Thomas' design after the artist granted licenses to companies to use it on their products.
Cease and desist
One of these companies, WAM Clothing, sent cease and desist letters to many organisations, including the Australian Football League, for using the Aboriginal flag on clothing.
"I hope that this arrangement provides comfort to all Aboriginal people and Australians to use the flag, unaltered, proudly and without restriction," Thomas said of his deal with the Australian government.
He said:
Morrison said the deal means the flag can be used on apparel, sport grounds, artworks "and in any other medium without having to ask for permission or pay a fee".
The deal will also see the Australian government set up a scholarship in Thomas' honour worth $100 000 for Indigenous students.
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