THE Fiji Arts Council will present a formal objection to the Attorney General's office regarding Air Pacific's request to trademark 15 traditional kesakesa designs this week.
Council director Laisiasa Veikoso said the council was acting in its capacity as the umbrella organisation for the Fiji Crafts Society.
"The Fiji Crafts Society has voiced their concerns and we will be submitting these in a formal objection to the Attorney General's office by the middle of this week," Mr Veikoso said.
"The society is not only made up of iTaukei people but other artists as well who use these designs as part of their art," Mr Veikoso explained.
He said this included visual artists, crafters and other contemporary artists.
While Mr Veikoso did not reveal the full nature of the society's objections, he did say that a majority of the artists were from Lau — where the designs are believed to have originated from.
"Our objection is collective of their views and everyone has had a say in it but we are also inviting others to submit their own personal objection if they wish to do so."
"I think it's also important to note that the artists are in unanimous agreement that Air Pacific be allowed to use the designs however they oppose the company's move to trademark them," he explained.
The Attornery General Aiyaz-Sayed Khaiyum last week called for any objections to the Air Pacific trademark register to be made to the Registrar of Trademarks.