Request for speaker on intellectual property rights

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001581 SIPDIS FOR IIP/G/WHA CBARONE; INFO WHA/PDA APRUITT; RBANKS; INFO EB/TPP/IPE AADAMO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KPAO JM SUBJECT: Request for speaker on intellectual property rights issues ¶1. SUMMARY: Post seeks speaker to discuss intellectual property rights (IPR) issues with Jamaicans, including "fair use" by librarians and educators; video, film and music piracy; detection and law enforcement; and pending patent legislation. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Proposed program dates: August 29 to September 9, 2005 (three program days). ¶3. MPP Strategic Goal: Economic Prosperity and Security. ¶4. Program purpose: To raise Jamaican public awareness of IPR issues. Three intellectual property acts were passed in ¶1999. The private, print oriented Jamaica Copyright Licensing Agency (JAMCOPY) was established in 1998. The Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO),an agency of the Ministry of Commerce, Science and Technology, was established in 2001. While still under consideration by a Parliamentary Council, new patent laws have been pushed off the legislative calendar by more pressing anti-crime issues. Legislation is expected to go to the House of Representatives in the next year or so. Jamaicans are very proud of their unique cultural products, often expressing outrage when they are "faked." On the other hand, students - and their teachers - will make multiple copies of a textbook without considering it wrong. The piracy of musical product is blatant and widespread. A message that IPR "works both ways," pointing out how developing countries such as Jamaica can use intellectual property for their own benefit, with examples of the economic damage of poor IPR enforcement, could be particularly effective. In that respect a major Jamaican IPR concern is enforcement of existing laws. Only five police officers are assigned to address breaches of the current legislation. Customs officers need training to detect counterfeit goods. Identifying solutions in light of limited resources would be positive. ¶5. Audience: Representatives of GOJ agencies; private sector representatives; librarians and book publishers; educators; customs and law enforcement officers; print and broadcast journalists. ¶6. Proposed topics and nature of events: A workshop with JIPO and invited stakeholders on public education and enforcement issues; a National Library of Jamaica presentation and dialogue with librarians and educators; breakfast meeting and address to chamber of commerce on IPR benefits for local business and trade; meetings with law enforcement officials; media interviews. ¶7. Type of specialist required: An expert from an organization such as the International Intellectual Property Institute who is able to focus on core IPR issues and how they affect us all, while being able to address more specific local and regional concerns raised by different stakeholders. ¶8. Language: English. ¶9. Funding specifics: I Bucks. ¶10. Post program officer: Glenn Guimond, PAO, tel: (876) 935-6053; fax: (876) 929-3637; email: guimondg@state.gov. Back-up program officers: Emma Lewis, PAA, tel: (876) 935- 6009; fax: (876) 929-3637; email: lewisec@state.gov; and Myrna Lewis, IRC Director, tel: (876) 935-6016; fax: (876) 929-3637; email: lewismi@state.gov. Tighe