Crocodile park may not be named after ‘hunter’

The State government might go back on its decision to name the Crocodile Breeding Centre in Neyyar after the Australian wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin, if his wife objects to it.Terrie Rainnes Irwin, wife of Mr. Irvin, had issued a legal notice to the Forest Department recently objecting to the naming of the park after Mr. Irwin, who died in a stingray attack while shooting a film off the Australian coast in 2006.The legal notice issued on behalf of Australia Zoo Property Limited and Ms. Irwin had alleged that the department had violated the Copyright, Trademark and Trade Practices Acts by naming the park after him. The government had named the park as Steve Irwin Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre on May 15, 2007, after the death of the renowned "crocodile hunter."The government has been advised by legal experts to inform Ms. Irwin that the park was named after him to keep his memory alive and to inspire youngsters. The government is understood to have been advised that the naming of the park after Mr. Irvin would not amount to infringement of copyright and violation of trademark. The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is fully owned and managed by the State government and the decision to name the park after Mr. Irwin was taken by the council of ministers of the State, the government would inform Ms. Irwin. The legal notice had caught the government, which had invited Ms. Irwin to take part in the naming ceremony, off guard. Ms. Irwin had informed her inability to attend the ceremony, Mr. Viswom said.

 

The Hindu, 5th  March  2009