Government urged to sign Madrid Protocol

Opposition Senator Dr. Christopher Tufton on Friday, pushed forward a motion in the Senate for the government to move swiftly in signing on to the Madrid Protocol.
   
Dr Tufton who is also the Opposition Spokesman on Foreign Affairs, said this is a simple and quick way for the country to protect its  intellectual and creative property.
   
He cited several examples of the exploitation of Jamaican brands.
 
The Opposition Senator believes that while the country has committed under the CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership Agreement to accede to the Madrid Protocol by 2014 this should be fast tracked

He added that gaining intellectual property protection under the protocol will also result in increased revenue earnings for Jamaica internationally as well as protect Jamaican brands from exploitation.

And, leader of government business in the Senate, AJ Nicholson says work is far advanced in taking the step towards signing on to the Madrid Protocol.
     
He says several interest groups have submitted to the government the importance of signing on to the protocol.
     
Senator Nicholson says the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office, (JIPO) has been looking at the legislation that now exists regarding intellectual property rights, with a view for changes to be made for the country to meet obligations under the Madrid Protocol