The
Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) was established on January,
2001 and acquired its status as a statutory Corporation on February
1, 2002, out of the recognition by the Government of the need to
streamline, modernize, and provide a focal point for the administration
of both Industrial Property and Copyright and Related Rights, in
order for it to fulfil its bilateral and multilateral obligations
in the field of Intellectual Property.
Thus JIPO now has the critical mandate of administering
the intellectual property systems, which includes the registration
of Trade Marks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications,
the administration of Copyright and Related Rights, and the administration
of the Patent System, New Plant Varieties and Layout-Designs (Topographies)
Act.
Since its inception, JIPO has undertaken several activities to enhance
the development and protection of intellectual property rights in
Jamaica, which in turn have aimed at enhancing and facilitating
business competitiveness. This has been done against the constraints
of limited financial resources and limited Human Resources.
Objectives
-To
contribute to national economic growth and development through
the proper protection, administration and enforcement of Intellectual
Property Rights (IPRs).
-To provide Jamaican creators, investors, and commercial enterprises,
as well as foreign rights holders with modern and comprehensive
procedures and facilities for the protection of their IPRs.
-To facilitate an international level of IP protection for Jamaican
rights holders.
-To heighten public awareness on the importance and economic value
of IPRs and the end need for the protection of these rights.
-To facilitate the improvement of the IP system in light of new
technologies and globalization of trade, through the modernization
of the laws and the accession to relevant international treaties
and agreements.
Strategic
Focus
In light of JIPO 's responsibility to promote the progressive development
of IPRs in Jamaica, the Office has a developmental focus in addition
to an administrative one.
The services offered by JIPO are geared towards individual creators
and innovators, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), corporations
and institutions to enhance their capacity for wealth creation through
the acquisition and maintenance of IPRs. JIPO carries out an ongoing
Public Education Programme working in collaboration with public
and private sector interest groups.
JIPO plays a pivotal role in IP policy development and implementation.
The Office makes recommendations to the Government on technical
aspects of IPRs and cross-sector issues relating to IP such as;
International Trade, E-Commerce, Bio-diversity, Science & Technology
and Environmental Management. The Office also provides representation
on IP at local, regional and international levels for and on behalf
of the Government.
In conjunction with the World Intellectual Property Organization
(WIPO) JIPO facilitates training, human resource development and
institutional strengthening in various aspects of IPRs and develops
sector-specific programmes and projects in conjunction with other
agencies and private sector entities.
Responsibilites
To
administer laws relating to the conferment of or protection
and administration of IPRs
Geographic
Indications
Industrial
Designs
Copyright
and Related Rights
Patents
New
Plant Varieties
Lay-out
Designs
To
advise the Minister with portfolio responsibility for IP on
matters relating to the administration of such laws
To
promote the progressive development of IPRs in Jamaica
Affiliations
Jamaica
is a member of WIPO, the specialized agency of the United nation,
dedicated to promoting the protection and use of IP throughout the
world for the benefits of all. WIPO fully supported and endorsed
Jamaica's move to centralize the administration of the IP system
and has extended its commitment to Jamaica in the form of technical
assistance. Towards this end WIPO funded expert missions and consultations
to assist Jamaica in formulating and implementing an improved legal
and administrative framework under the central IP Office.
Click here
for links to International intellectual property offices.
Jamaica’s
International IP Obligations
The
Government’s international obligations on IP arise under various
multilateral agreements and treaties to which it is party. These
include:
The
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic
Works (WIPO)
The
Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers
of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations (WIPO) (UNESCO)
(ILO)
The
Geneva Convention for the Protection of Phonograms against
Unauthorized Duplication of their Phonograms (WIPO)
The
Paris Convention on the Protection of Industrial Property
(WIPO)
The
Brussels Satellite Convention on the Protection of Industrial
Property (WIPO)
The
Agreement on Trade Related aspects of Intellectual Property,
TRIPS, World Trade Organization, (WTO)
The
Jamaica/USA Bilateral Agreement on the Protection and Enforcement
of Intellectual Property Rights.
