Workshop on fundamental concepts and uses of intellectual property (IP)

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]aribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) Department of Commerce, Registry of Companies and the Trade Export Promotion Agency (TEPA) joined forces today to host a workshop on the fundamental concepts and uses of Intellectual Property – IP.

The workshop held at the Finance Administrative Center, Pointe Seraphine, Castries on May 10^th, 2018 focused on the key areas of IP such as Copyright, Patents and Trademarks and how these can be used in relation to exporting of creative services.

A wide cross section of service providers were in attendance including music producers and songwriters, producers of film and audio visual material, publishers, architects and engineers, Information Technology, and Telecommunication providers, producers of fashion, apparel and accessories, and members of the legal fraternity.

The facilitator, Erica Smith is highly qualified and experienced professional in IP. An attorney by profession Ms Smith has extensive experience in the corporate intellectual property sector, private practice and in public sector IP management. She has successfully implemented many regional and international IP related strategies through consultancies for a host of established agencies and universities. Other key speakers included Jerson Badal, Director of Client Management Services at TEPA who looked at what currently obtains in Saint Lucia with regards to IP.

TEPA CEO, Sunita Daniel commented that “We cannot take it for granted that our intellectual property is safe. We must inform and educate and most importantly, get the correct legislation in place to safeguard what we have worked hard to create”. Ms Daniel added, “We are happy to once again be working with Caribbean Export on such a timely intervention. We would like to urge Creatives to know their rights and to seek assistance on the same where they feel inadequately protected”.