WAIKERIE is one of 10 rural SA towns that could see a drop in tourist numbers if a Victorian council is granted permission to trademark the term “silo art trail”.
Yarriambiack Shire lodged a 400-page submission to Federal Government agency IP Australia in 2017 to trademark the term “silo art trail”, and acknowledge that it started in its region.
If the submission is accepted, any community with silo art would need permission from Yarriambiack to use the term on signs and advertising.
Waikerie silo art spokesperson Liz Frankel said the move would be detrimental to many silo art towns.
“That council is adopting a self-centred attitude,” she said.
“While I think that (Yarriambiack Shire) should be acknowledged for beginning the term ‘silo art trail’, they shouldn’t have the exclusive right to the term and be able to decide who else gets to use it.
“It’s like trying to trademark ‘fresh fruit and vegetables’.
“Many groups, communities, and towns benefit from silo art trails – having to go through the channels to seek permission from one body to use the term ‘silo art trail’ is unfair and selfish.
“Silo artwork links many towns and tourists should be able to follow the trails easily.”
Australian Silo Art Trail website owner Annette Green – whose Facebook page has 50,000 followers – told The Advertiser that the proposed trademark, if approved, would leave her business in limbo.
“I do make money from the website and that goes towards making maps and the $1000 a year it costs me to run the site,” she said.
“I worry about these little towns that maybe have nothing more than a pub to offer tourists and have really had to rely on these silos and water towers to bring them back to life.”
IP Australia is expected to make a decision on the trademark later this year.