1

WIPO’s Cooperation for WIPO’s Cooperation for

Development Activities in Development Activities in

the Caribbean Regionthe Caribbean Region

Geneva May 14, 2008

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Bureau for Latin America and

the Caribbean (TACB)

2

Strategies and Activities under the Cooperation Agreement with Caribbean

Countries

Cooperation Agreement entered into between WIPO and 13 Caribbean Governments for the use and Promotion of IP as a tool for Economic Development

- Signed in November 2003- Entered into force January 2004- Member States which signed: Antigua and

Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago (Bahamas not as yet)

3

Ministers responsible for IP set priorities for the region for 2008/09 within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement (Barbados 2006)

- Study on a Regional Framework for Patent Administration (Art. 66 of the Revised Treaty of Chargaramus on Regional Administration of IP) - Expert Meeting on the Establishment of a Regional Framework for the Protection of TK and TCEs- Expansion of Collective Management and the Caribbean Copyright Link to other Territories

- Currently CMO’s in Barbados, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago

- HMS – St. Lucia to change identity to reflect new role in the OECS sub-region

- Saint Vincent first in the expansion process (March 2008)

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Strategies and Activities under the Strategies and Activities under the Cooperation Agreement with Caribbean Cooperation Agreement with Caribbean

CountriesCountries Support countries towards the establishment or

strengthening of IPOs

Needs Assessment by Regional or WIPO Expert • Proposed structure for implementation - staffing, office

space, office equipment, automation, work flow procedures, etc

– Barbados, Grenada and Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago assessed; Belize, Dominica and Saint Kitts and Nevis this year or early next

IP Legislation (Laws and Regulations) Taking into Account the Flexibilities Afforded under the TRIPS Agreement

–Recently hired Regional Consultant to draft legislation for Grenada – Will provide same as model to OECS for countries still missing required legislation

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Strategies and Activities, cont.Strategies and Activities, cont.

Regional and National Training Courses• Trademark Examination course for Caribbean

IPOs (Jan 08)

• Licensing of technology for Caribbean researchers (Aug/Sep 08)

• Using the creative industries for economic benefit (TBD)

• Regional Seminar for Ministers of Trade and Health on IP and TRIPS

• Seminars on the Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV)

• Study visit for local IP staff to larger offices (Regional and International)

• In House training for IPO staff by Regional or International Experts

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Thank you