Manufacturers and small business operators are being encouraged to register their operations and protect their intellectual property (IP).
This call came during a one-day seminar put on by the Barbados Manufacturers’ Association (BMA) and facilitated by the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office (CAIPO). The event was held at the BMA’s Harbour Road, St Michael training room last Thursday.
A number of businessmen and women were brought up to speed on intellectual property legislation in the island.
BMA members and other business operators were sensitized on IP rights, trademark registration, industrial design and patent regulations, among others. They were also made aware of the different forms available for the various applications.
Deborah Beckles of CAIPO told the small gathering that it was very important for individuals and corporations not only to register their trademarks but to do so in a timely manner.
“There are certain things you need to come in to us with. You must know what it is that you need to register in terms of the trademark and you must know the goods and services that you are going to apply the mark to,” she said.
“There is the renewal of the application for the trademark. Renewing after ten years, the law allows you six months after your registration expires to get in and re-register or renew,” she added, noting that there was a late fee for late renewal and possible denial of a renewal certificate.
Highlighting some of the dos and don’ts of creating a trademark, Beckles further urged them to be creative.
“As manufacturers [and] as young businesspeople . . . it is really best if you try to be original in what you design for your trademark or what you put your mark to be,” she cautioned. (MM)
