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The Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) is reporting an increase in the registration of trade marks by entertainers, record producers and event promoters. State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, who made the disclosure while contributing to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 18, said the increase is a result...

State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams, says plans to protect the genre of Reggae music under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention, continues in earnest. Reggae, which is one of Jamaica’s foremost indigenous music forms, has had a colossal impact on the world stage. Over the last 50 years, reggae...

Jamaican products and services are being repositioned to generate significant revenue earnings through the implementation of an intellectual property Geographical Indications (GI) framework. The GI is an inscription used on products that have a precise geographical origin and qualities or a reputation, as a result of that place of origin. It often consists of the name of the place of...

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is reassuring sporting interests that all is on track for the completion of the much anticipated installation of floodlights at Sabina Park. In an interview with the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), General Manager of the UDC, Desmond Malcolm, reiterated that “the public can expect the lights by the end of July.” Mr. Malcolm added that...

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) secured more than $30.51 million in refunds and compensation on behalf of aggrieved consumers, during the 2013/14 financial year. For the same period, the CAC also handled a total of 1,499 consumer complaints.  Of that number, 1,229 cases were settled, giving an average resolution rate of 82 per cent. This was disclosed by State Minister...

The National Family Planning Board (NFPB) is urging parents, especially fathers, to protect their boys from exposure to pornography at an early age. Chairman of the NFPB, Dr. Sandra Knight, said research has been emerging which shows the negative effect that pornography is having on proper brain development in boys. According to the findings, boys who are exposed to pornography...

The proposed fines under the new Road Traffic Act are expected to change the culture of driving and road usage among Jamaican motorists, says Minister with responsibility for Housing, Dr. the Hon. Morais Guy. Among the proposed changes are: increased traffic penalties for breaches of the road code; mandatory training and certification of motor vehicle driving instructors; a longer period...

Scores of youth in West Central St. James are being trained in entrepreneurship by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), with financing from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Last year 88 young persons were trained in business management, ethics, and marketing. Another 50 are slated to be trained this year. An unused building in Mount Salem is being renovated and...

The country’s export market access capacity has been strengthened with the accreditation of six laboratories by the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC). The agency has awarded eight accreditation certificates to the six laboratories, four of which provide food testing services for the domestic and export markets, such as North and South America, and Europe, among other regions. This was...

Director of Emergency Disaster Management and Special Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Marion Bullock-DuCasse has expressed confidence that the country is ready to deal with any outbreak of the chikungunya disease, which has been declared an epidemic in the Caribbean. The mosquito-borne illness was first detected in December 2013, in St. Martin, and has since spread to Antigua...

The Bureau of Standards Jamaica is pursuing a public private sector partnership with the Jamaica Ital Fibres Institute (JAMIFI), for the applied research and development of bamboo, hemp, coconut, and other natural and vital ('ital') fibres in Jamaica. “The promoters of JAMIFI believe that the products and by-products of bamboo, hemp, coconut, and other “ital” fibres, can have an immediate...

Marketing Officer at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) Adrian Harrison says the agency is committed to supporting the 22nd staging of Reggae Sumfest, which is scheduled for Montego Bay, St. James, from July 13 to 19. Noting that the event, dubbed the “greatest reggae show on earth” will “bring heads to beds,” Mr. Harrison said travel agents have been making...