Trademarks

The Ministry’s Agency, the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO), has responsibility for Trademarks. JIPO administers the Jamaican Intellectual Property System, including the Registration of Trademarks, Geographical Indications and Industrial Designs, the administration of Copyright and Related Rights, and the administration of the Patent System, New Plant Varieties and Layout Designs and as provided by the respective Statutes.

In fulfillment of Jamaica’s obligations under the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) Paris Convention and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, the Government of Jamaica has revised and modernized laws on Trade Marks, with the implementation of a new Trade Marks Act 1999 and Trade Mark Rules 2001. The Trade Marks Act provides for new forms of protection for industrial property, by providing for the registration of Service Marks and Collective Marks. The Act has expanded the range of goods and services that can be protected to include making registrable, the shape of goods or their packaging.

The Act harmonizes the Jamaican Law with the Laws of other countries signatory to the Paris Convention on Industrial Property, thereby allowing for an adaptable and uniform system of registration for foreign traders and manufacturers. This is of great significance under the Right of Priority Claims and the Protection of Well Known Marks.

The Legal Department of the Ministry has oversight responsibility for the activities of JIPO.