The project's objective is to assist Jamaica in establishing a functional and effective protection system for Geographical Indications (GIs), in order to contribute to a better positioning of Jamaican quality products on national and international markets using distinctive signs.
The following areas of technical assistance for Jamaica have been defined between the project partners in a participative process:- Support for the establishment of an effective legal framework for GIs protection at the national and international level;
- Capacity building for officials of public sector who have responsibilities concerning GIs;
- Capacity building for producers of GI-products; and
- Building Public awareness of GIs.
Project duration:
Two years, from July 2008 to June 2010Origin of the project:
The Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO), on behalf of the Ministry of Industry, Investments & Commerce (MIIC) and the various stakeholders, has asked for assistance from the Swiss Intellectual Property Institute (IPI) so that it can benefit from the experiences IPI/Switzerland has in the field of GIs.The negotiation of a bilateral agreement on the mutual protection of GIs between Jamaica and Switzerland is seen by both countries as a parallel tool and process that will usefully concretise their interests in a more effective protection of their GIs.
Why IPI's engagement? In our view, technical assistance to Jamaica in the field of GIs would offer the following benefits and opportunities:
- Offer an effective system of protection of GIs in Jamaica in the interest of all stakeholders
- The project allows an exchange of experiences in the field of GIs;
- The implementation of an effective and sustainable GI protection in Jamaica would be a valuable example for other developing countries;
- Both countries can more actively fight counterfeiting of GIs; and
- Both countries will gain credibility for the international negotiations on GIs.
Expected results:
- Establishment of an effective legal system for GIs
- Officials of public sector trained
- Producer Groups trained
- Public awareness about GIs raised
- Instrument for GI monitoring developed.
Contact
IPI - Contact:
Angela Deppeler
Project ManagerFederal Institute of Intellectual Property
Tel. +41/ 031/377 72 08
e-mail: angela.deppeler@ipi.ch [1]
JIPO – Contacts
Sara Allen
Local Expert – ProjectJamaica Intellectual Property Office
Tel: (876) 754 6360/6350
e-mail: sara.allen@jipo.gov.jm [2]
Kai-Saran Davis
Manager, Trademarks& Geographical IndicationsJamaica Intellectual Property Office
Tel: (876) 754 6360/6350
e-mail: kaisaran.davis@jipo.gov.jm [3]