INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME IN JAMAICA
(UPDATED MARCH 2004)

INTERNATIONAL TREATIES AND AGREEMENTS

Jamaica is a member of the following treaties and agreements:

WIPO Copyright Treaty, 1996 (since 2002)

WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, 1996 (since 2002)

The Brussels Convention concerning Programme Carrying Satellite Signals (since 2000)

Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, 1883 (since 2000)

World Trade Organization, 1995 (since 1995)

USA/JA Bilateral Agreement on the Protection and Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights, 1994

Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary & Artistic Works (1886) (as revised 1971) (since 1994)

Rome Convention, the International Convention on the Protection of Producers, Performers and Broadcasting Organizations, 1961 (since 1994)

Geneva Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms Against Unauthorized Duplication of Their Phonograms, 1971 (since 1994)

Nairobi Treaty on the protection of the Olympic Symbol, 1981 (since 1984)

World Intellectual Property Organization Convention, 1967(since 1978)
 

SNAPSHOT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LEGISLATION IN JAMAICA

Principal legislation only:

Trademarks Act, 1999

Copyright Act, 1993, the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 1999

Patent Act of 1857, the Patent (Amendment) Act, 1974 and the Patent (Amendment) Act, 1975

Designs Act, 1937, the Designs (Amendment) Act, 1975

Layout Designs (Topographies) of Integrated Circuits (Act No. 30) September 1999

Geographical Indications Act, 2004 (Act No. 5)
 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION

The administrative processes under Jamaica’s Intellectual Property legislation are undertaken by the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) which comprises directorates on Trademarks, Patents & Designs and Copyright to deal with the respective Statutes.

JIPO was formally established as a Statutory Agency of Government under the Jamaica Intellectual Property Establishment Act passed November 23, 2001, and brought into force February 1, 2002.

JIPO is a department of the Ministry of Commerce, Science & Technology and is the successor to the Copyright Unit of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Technology and the Trademarks Department of the Registrar of Companies.

For more information on JIPO visit www.jipo.gov.jm
 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RELATED LEGISLATION
Merchandise Marks Act, 1888
Fair Competition Act, 1993
Access to Information Act, 2002

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