Jamaica to host major sports conference focusing on intellectual property, says Grange
Minister of Sport Olivia Grange has said that her ministry will be hosting a “major conference on the Strategic Use of Intellectual Property in Sport” in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO).
The conference will take place from September 19-20, 2017 at the Jamaica Conference Centre.
Minister Grange describes the ministry’s engagement with WIPO “as a major achievement in the push to not only strengthen Brand Jamaica, but also to increase earnings from the brand”.
According to Grange, the hosting of the conference is aligned with the fourth objective of the Jamaica National Sport Policy, which is to “enhance and leverage the sport component of Brand Jamaica”.
The conference is open to athletes, coaches, sports administrators, sports facility operators, educators, and other stakeholders from across the region; and will provide a forum to promote and encourage conversation and related action on the use of Intellectual Property, trademarks and copyright in sport.
The discussions over the two days will be segmented into themes including: Competitiveness of the Sport Industry; Intellectual Property Rights in the Sporting Arena; Athletes Support Framework; and Athletes Focus Session.
An impressive list of experts will address the conference, including: Carol Simpson, head of the Caribbean Section, Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean and representative of WIPO; Carlos Castro, head of Copyright and Content Affairs at the International Olympic Committee; and Mrs Veronica Campbell Brown, Jamaican Olympian.
Other presenters include: Christopher Samuda, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association; Ms Lillyclaire Bellamy, executive director of JIPO; Jim Bagshaw, vice-president of the Calgary Flames of Canada; Carlene Edwards, marketing manager, Jamaica National Group; Alfred “Frano” Francis of Reggae Marathon and Running Events; and Carole Croella, senior counsellor, Copyright Law Division, Copyright and Creative Industries Sector, WIPO.
