XI THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2024 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WEEK FEATURE | Inventors are key drivers of technological progress and economic development. These contributions help to create new industries, jobs, and opportunities for people locally and regionally. Jamaica, with its rich creative and innovative culture, is on the cusp of an economic transformation if it can find a way to optimise the full potential of its inventors and creatives. In response, the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), through the Boosting Innovation Growth & Entrepreneurship Ecosystems (BIGEE) Programme, introduced the Patent Grant Fund in 2022. The goal of the product is to assist inventors to file patents locally and in any jurisdiction of their choice. This BIGEE Programme is funded by the Government of Jamaica through a US$25-million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) which has been established to ensure robust and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems for Jamaica. The patent grants are valued at J$4 million each and are to be used to finance patent application filing fees, engaging an attorney to conduct prior art search, assessment, drafting and filing, and preparation of other miscellaneous documents. The grant can be utilised for filing both locally or INVENTORS ARE CRITICAL TO JAMAICA’S GROWTH AGENDA Christopher Brown, Programme Manager, BIGEE, presents the Patent Grant Fund Award to Alison ‘Debbie’ Turner of Turner Innovations. (From left) Deputy Director/Legal Counsel, JIPO – Shantal English; Lu’Shana Cheddesingh, Technical Coordinator, BIGEE, DBJ; and Executive Director, JIPO, Lilyclaire Bellamy, following DBJ-JIPO Intellectual Property webinar. Rayvon Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, Xermosol Supplies Limited, accepts an award from Christopher Brown, BIGEE’s Programme Manager. DBJ PATENT GRANT FUND … a funding source for commercialisation PLEASE SEE AGENDA, 12
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