Innovators Urged to Protect Their Property

Applicants for the National Innovation Awards are urged to protect themselves and their property.

The competition, which invites innovators in various fields of science, technology and innovation, requires that applications bear the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) seal.

Executive Director at JIPO, Lillyclaire Bellamy, speaking at a recent JIS ‘Think Tank’, said that as part of the competition, “we encourage inventors and innovators to first contact JIPO”.

She explained that if this is not done, “after you have made your innovation public, you lose the opportunity to say that this is something brand new”.

Mrs. Bellamy explained that without protection, someone might take your idea and claim it as their own.

“It is best to contact JIPO to ensure that the idea you have is not an already existing one,” she advised.

The Executive Director explained that Intellectual Property refers to creations of the mind.

“When you invent something, you come to our office and protect it, so nobody can use that product without your permission,” she explained.

The biennial National Innovations Award is scheduled for November 16, 2016 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

It will highlight excellence in technology and innovation; and creativity in various areas of science. The deadline for applications is September 30, 2016.

Traditional categories are Agriculture; Food and Agro-Processing; Education and Popularisation of Science Technology and Innovation (STI); Energy, and Cybersecurity.

Applications should be addressed to Mrs. Andrea Kerr, Coordinator, Innovation Awards Secretariat, Executive Director’s Office, Scientific Research Council, P.O. Box 350, Hope Gardens, Kingston 6.

For additional information, interested persons may visit www.src.gov.jm.

The awards are being held in collaboration with the Scientific Research Council (SRC) and the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST).