JIPO Developing Masters Degree in Intellectual Property

The Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) is developing a Masters Degree programme in intellectual property (IP), which will be offered at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus.

This was disclosed by State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams on Monday, February 10, while addressing the opening of the Regional Conference on Intellectual Property and the Creative Industries at UWI’s regional headquarters.

She informed that the programme, which is being developed in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Worldwide Academy, is important, given the Government’s focus on protecting the country’s creative industries, which are seen as engines of growth and development.

“Today, the IP system is more important than ever in providing the basis to foster new products and cultivate the innovation that is so crucial in creating the next generation of jobs, investments and growth,” she said.

The creative or cultural industries refer to a range of economic activities, which are concerned with the generation or exploitation of knowledge and information. These normally involve art, literary works, drama, dance and music, among others.

More importantly, Mrs. Ffolkes Abrahams said that by expanding the knowledge base of individuals regarding IP, this can help to bolster the Government’s drive to build and support the creative industries, which have huge potential.

“Creative industries performance is enhanced when stimulated by Governments, the legal system, and the business environment. No doubt about it, we have tremendous potential in our creative industries. Many of our artistes and events have a global reach that extends well beyond the Caribbean region,” she said.

The State Minister further contended that through the creative industries, “we possess the ability to create quality jobs and competitive products and services. For us, these industries provide a significant avenue for economic diversification and export growth”.

IP refers to original creations of the mind such as poetry, choreography, jewellery designs, business signs, and inventions. These original expressions are recognised as items of value and worthy of protection through Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs’).

The three-day IP conference is being staged by JIPO in collaboration with WIPO, and brings together key stakeholders from various sectors to discuss and work on proper regimes and structures for the creative industries.

WIPO hosts the Conference in different regions of the world and Jamaica was selected as Caribbean host, recognizing the creative legacy of our people and the increased prominence that is being given to the creative industries in the region.

It includes representatives from Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

The conference, which is open to the public and is free of cost, is targeted at creative professionals such as animators, graphic designers, craftsmen, painters, sculptors, artisans, chief executive officers, bankers, stock exchange professionals and academia.