Former JIPO Executive Director Heads WIPO Bureau for Caribbean

Former Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) Executive Director, Carol Simpson, has been appointed head of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Ms. Simpson, whose appointment became effective on July 1, left the island on Monday (June 30) for WIPO’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, where she will be based.

In her new position, she will have administrative responsibility for the region’s intellectual property technical programmes and activities.

Attorney-at-law, Lilyclaire Bellamy, who served as deputy during Ms. Simpson’s seven years at the helm of JIPO, will act as Executive Director until a new appointment is made.

Ms. Simpson, whose background is in International Law, commenced her career in intellectual property in Jamaica in 1996, when she became a Director in the Copyright Unit, which was initially based in the Office of the Prime Minister, before being relocated to the then Ministry of Industry and Investment.

She was an integral member of the team which successfully lobbied WIPO’s support to establish JIPO.

Ms. Simpson’s work to develop Jamaica’s IP framework continued over the ensuing years, culminating with her appointment as JIPO Executive Director in 2007.

During her tenure, she led Jamaica’s international lobby to protect the country’s brands. This saw JIPO attaining international recognition and praise for the extent of its work in this area.

The agency has been influential in establishing a robust trademark registration system; voluntary registration for copyrights; and a system for protecting Jamaica’s well-known brands, under the protection of geographical indications.

These engagements, among others, earned JIPO the distinction of being regarded as one of the most advanced and respected intellectual property offices in the Caribbean. In paying tribute to Ms. Simpson, Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, lauded her for the “tremendous work’ she undertook in advancing Jamaica’s intellectual property regime.

Speaking at Monday’s (June 30) International Reggae Day conference at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston, Mr. Hylton said there is “expectation and anticipation” that as she embarks on her latest pursuit, “that she takes with her, the life-long experiences,” attained in Jamaica into her new environment.

In her reply, Ms. Simpson assured that she will use her experience to guide her work across the wider region. “I certainly would like to bring that (experience) to the rest of the Caribbean, so that, together, we can move forward, as a region,” she said.

The WIPO is one of 17 specialized agencies of the United Nations.  It was established in 1967 to encourage creative activity, and promote the protection of intellectual property worldwide. The organization currently has 187 members, and administers 26 international Treaties.  Its Director-General is Francis Gurry.