World Intellectual Property Day
Around the world, 26 April is observed annually as World Intellectual Property Day (WIPD). This year, the Cayman Islands Intellectual Property Office (CIIPO) will once again host several events throughout April to educate the public about intellectual property rights, as well as celebrate Cayman’s creative minds. The 2024 theme for WIPD is building our common future with innovation and creativity.
“Intellectual property (IP) is a creation of the mind. It covers literary and artistic works, designs and symbols, names and images used in business, and more,” explained CIIPO Director Candace Westby. “The CIIPO team strongly believes that local persons should protect their IP rights, just like others around the world protect theirs. We’re excited to meet people during our workshops, to help them understand how IP can benefit them – whether it’s governing how your work is used, to making money from it.”
“IP rights help distinguish one’s work or business from others,” said the Minister for Financial Services and Commerce, the Hon. André M. Ebanks MP who is also the Deputy Premier and Minister for Investment, Innovation and Social Development.
“It assures potential investors that they are investing in legally protected work and also protects company values and boosts competitiveness, which strengthens our Islands’ business environment and economy.”
CIIPO was established in May 2016. By the end of 2023 it had processed 3,773 local and international IP applications, 565 of them in 2023 alone. There are now almost 8,000 items on the IP registers including trademarks, patents and designs, Ms. Westby said.
Have you written a book, song or screenplay? Created a unique logo, software programme or artwork? Do you want to protect your creation so that you can be recognised for it and maybe benefit financially? CIIPO can help. It’s YOUR innovation, YOUR creation and YOUR intellectual property. Protect it today!
Interested in attending any of our FREE information sessions? Click on the images below to register. If you have any questions, email us at info@ciipo.gov.ky.
We are pleased to share the World IP Day advertisement below, currently airing in the Camana Bay Cinema. We also had the opportunity to speak with Caymanian entrepreneur Melesia Adderley, Founder of Women’s Haven, about her experience with trademarking her brand.