20th Century Solonese Keris

[ganjawulung]

The world of painting, maybe the right analogy for keris, I agree with David. It is difficult to copy the style, even not patented. And I'm still thinking with Raden's statement that "to patent is a part of self-campaign.."

You know already, in the old days the authority of such campaign was not at the hand of the empus, but the king's will. So now there is a kind of "cultural gap" (I don't know the right term): who is the authority of such campaign now? The empu himself, the king? The president? If the King. Which king? King of Yogya? King of Solo? King of Mlalaysia?

About "certain amount of money" from the UN. What I've heard is: UN won't give the fund to a state which once had received such aid from the UN. In this matter, Indonesia had received certain amount of dollar from the UN three years before keris was announced as the intangible heritage.. from Indonesia. Three years before, wayang also recognized as the intangible heritage from Indonesia. Malaysia too. (If I'm not mistaken: mahyong. Pls correct me if I'm wrong). So? No money for whatever Indonesian keris body, SNKI, whatever. No money. Still complicated problem...

[A. G. Maisey]

I do not know what Indonesian patent law is like, but I do have a rough idea of how it operates in Australia.

Effectively, it is useless unless you are a multi million dollar organisation with a team of patent lawyers who are prepared to prosecute every infringement of that patent.

Patenting a design might be a nice idea, but firstly you need to very clearly identify what exactly it is that you are going to patent, and then ensuring that what you think you can patent can in fact be patented.

After you have spent a very considerable sum of money in securing your patent you then need to rigorously patrol the area of your patent and follow-up on every infringement, and prosecute where necessary.

Let's get serious.

Patenting is not for works of art that sell at relatively miniscule prices.

Patenting is for commercial ideas and undertakings where very big money, and very serious, very aggressive people are involved.

[ganjawulung]

From what Alan said just now, I dare to say that: self-campaigning for an empu, or 'prominent keris maker' like Sukamdi is almost impossible. Spend money for hiring lawyer? Even "hiring" himself Sukamdi can not. He is living in a simple condition, although not poor enough to starve...

At least, Sukamdi is still "the son of natural heritage" (?), who has nothing but his ability to create such good keris creation.. He has no power to control infringement like Alan just said. Still a long way to go, for patenting the creation in this keris world.

Insurance? Yes, until now the ability to insure something in the world of keris is still in the hand of the haves. Rich keris collectors in Jakarta, they insured their valuable kerises and put their valuable belongings in the bank's safe deposit box. Prominent bank like BCA (Bank Central Asia), who sponsored also the publishing of Keris Jawa (Haryono Haryoguritno's book), has deposited many valuable kerises from prominent collector (if I may mention) as Mr Sani Gondomono. Sani is a great keris collector, who collecting valuable kerises with valuable ornaments...

[Boedhi Adhitya]

Actually, there are some money for keris protection. There is also an Action Plan for Protection, Revitalization and Development of Indonesian Keris. But Unesco will not give the money until Indonesian government signed/ratified the Unesco's convention for protecting cultural heritage. The document is already in the secretary of states office, waiting to be passed to the DPR/parliament for ratification. SNKI has been trying very hard to push it, but as we all know, the bureaucracy work very slow, not even to consider the parliament's priority today. It is also worth to note that the fund would be considerably reduced, as Unesco is trying to tighten their budget now.

Today's kerismakers would be more concern to the low acceptance of newly made keris than to patenting the design. We all know that people would love the old blades more than the new ones. It is hard to sell the new keris 'as it is'. Irresponsible dealer (and makers too) would be artificially aging the blade, to make it look older. Many makers also trying very hard to copy the nem-neman (than making their own styles), as it is easier to sell to the inexperienced ones. So, it is easily understood that many makers, as Alan said, would like to keep their works and themselves anonymous, because once their works easily identified by the market (as a new blade, certainly), it will be harder for them to sell their works. Sukamdi is one among very small keris makers who enjoys the niche market of the new-keris collectors. Even so, only small amount of money go into his pocket, as the larger amount would go into the dealer's.

Actually, the real threat to keris culture is the popular misunderstanding that keris is a dukun's tool, and thus, an evil things. This misunderstanding amplified by massmedia such as TVs and movies, and keep alive by those who make living from it. This misunderstanding leads to two ends : 'keris avoidance', that is, peoples are reluctant to deal with keris/tosan aji, even if they inherit it. Other is the tendency of some religion leaders/priests, whom are lack of understanding, against the keris/tosan aji.

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by Boedhi Adhitya

... Actually, the real threat to keris culture is the popular misunderstanding that keris is a dukun's tool, and thus, an evil things. This misunderstanding amplified by massmedia such as TVs and movies, and keep alive by those who make living from it. This misunderstanding leads to two ends : 'keris avoidance', that is, peoples are reluctant to deal with keris/tosan aji, even if they inherit it. Other is the tendency of some religion leaders/priests, whom are lack of understanding, against the keris/tosan aji.

I agree. Even in Singapore and Malaysia, the same problem exists. On hindsight, we can still get keris for a reasonably low price... from those who wish to part with it.

[A. G. Maisey]

Pak Boedhi, seldom do I read anything about keris with which I am in total agreement.

I endorse your comments completely.

[ganjawulung]

Wow,

Interesting discussion. Thanks Alan, David, Raden, Shahrial and all.. Go ahead. Still have no idea yet...

[Raden Usman Djogja]

hi Kerislovers,

From now, I realize how really difficult to patent a thing (especially a thing likes keris). If patenting is considered as "impossible" action, I would like to highlight the idea beneath.... (recognition, champaign, recording). Anymean can use for it, sure, including this forum.

Dik Boedhi,
how wonderful your explanation.
yupe, too many problems/difficulties.
lets go along the edge.

Usmen

[ganjawulung]

Oops,

Don't forget, Raden... to post your "urubing damar"...