Intellectual Property Week 2021

‘Paving the path to growth and development through the protection of Intellectual Property Rights’ INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PLAYS CRITICAL SUPPORT ROLE A PRIL 26 is recognised globally as Intellectual Property (IP) Day, and given the reality facing the globe occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Intellectual Property Organisation selected the SME sector to recognise the worth and value of these en- terprises and the critical role that intellectual property can and should play in supporting them. We acknowledge the fact that SMEs include the micro sector but thought it important to include them in the theme, so for Jamaica, the theme for World IP day and week is ‘IP and MSMEs, taking your ideas to market’. IP and MSMEs, a curious but necessary combination, some MSMEs may argue that their businesses are too small to afford the cost of intellectual property rights protection; however, the opposite is true. The MSME sector is too important and too much of an essential hub in the wheel of manufacturing and exporting in Jamaica to not protect their intellectual property. It is my hope that each member of the MSME sector in Jamaica will take the time to explore and understand the important role that intellectual property can and should play in their businesses. Please remember as the theme for the week states, ‘IP and MSMEs, taking your ideas to market’, it is your idea, and it is your right to protect. This is your property, and in the same way that you take the time to protect your home and your body, we at the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office invite and encourage you to take the time to protect your business. We thank all our partners and supporters, from the ministries, departments and agencies of government and the private sector, including international agencies, academia and religious leaders. We invite and encourage you to visit our website, www.jipo.gov.jm, and to contact us for more information. MISS LILYCLAIRE BELLAMY, Executive Director, Jamaica Intellectual Property Office We thank all our partners and supporters, from the ministries, departments and agencies of government to the private sector, including international agencies, academia and religious leaders. VI