Local News

Headquarters identified for local IP office

St. George’s, November 10, 2009 (GIS) – Senator Arley Gill, Grenada’s Minister of State with Responsibility for Culture, says a local body set up to safeguard the intellectual property of calypsonians and other artistes will soon have its own headquarters. 

The Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office (CAIPO) signals the seriousness with which government regards intellectual property, Senator Gill said Monday as Grenada played host to a regional meeting on intellectual property rights.

“We are moving steadfastly towards housing CAIPO in a separate building with its full accompaniment of well-trained, competent staff guided by modern legislation,’’ the Senator announced in the featured address at the start of the WIPO Meeting of Heads of Intellectual Property Offices of Caribbean Countries.

Mr. Gill, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, said government is in the “final stages of negotiations for that CAIPO building. And I can say to you that it’s a massive building and it enjoys one of the best sites in the capital.’’

WIPO – the World Intellectual Property Organization – has assisted Grenada in drafting six pieces of legislation related to intellectual property.  The legislative measures would be tabled in parliament shortly, said Mr. Gill.

The Senator, a lawyer by profession, argued that there needs to be greater awareness and consciousness of intellectual property, which he describes as “extremely important’’ to the Grenada economy.

“Our government, which is just over a year in office, has identified intellectual property as one of the critical areas in what we refer to as the new economy,’’ Mr. Gill said.

“As our traditional economic sector – agriculture and tourism – continues to come under increasing pressure, it is extremely important that small developing states as ours explore all possible revenue streams available to us.  We believe the cultural industries, the creative industries, are areas in which we can create jobs.’’

Senator Gill thanked WIPO for its assistance, and said Grenada will be looking to the organization for further help, including with the formulation of a national policy on intellectual property.

 “In this technological age,’’ he said, “we are determined not to be left behind.  Therefore, we must establish an internet presence as we create a website where persons can file documents and conduct searches on-line.  We also give the undertaking to, one day sooner than later, introduce intellectual property in the school curriculum – from primary level up to the tertiary level – so that our young people can be properly educated in that regard.’’

Comments are closed.