The Tribune

More than 30 Bahamian entrepreneurs have been equipped with tools to assist their venture’s development by protecting its intellectual property.

Participants from small and medium-sized companies producing native drinks, jams and jellies, business consultants, financial advisors, car rentals, landscaping, designers, the Ministry of Tourism, the Department of Rehabilitation and Welfare and the University of the Bahamas attended a national capacity building workshop on intellectual property rights protection.

The workshop, held over two days at the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation’s (BAIC) training centre from June 20-21, gave attendees information on how to make their brand work; the intellectual property rights framework in The Bahamas; and how to create value from intellectual property.

The workshop was sponsored by BAIC and the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA). It was led by consultant Erica Smith, and Gayle Gallop, CEDA’s special advisor for legal and export development.

The two-day event also focused on the need to protect intellectual property in the agro-processing sector. It used a Belizean agro-processing company to highlight the importance of brand development and the strategic use of intellectual property rights, so that Bahamian enterprises avoid pitfalls in ownership, trademarks, trade secrets, distribution and unfair competition.

Marie Sharp’s Fine Foods Ltd, which manufactured pepper sauce, was undermined by a distributor in the US because the company was not registered there.

Bishop Gregory Collie, BAIC’s chairman, encouraged attendees to register their businesses so that they benefit from their creative works and maximise the benefits while ensuring others do not steal their works and pass them off as their own.

Ms Smith said that with The Bahamas soon to become a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) it is vital that businesspersons become aware of their legal and commercial rights.

She gave an overview of different intellectual property rights, including copyright; trademarks; branding; industrial rights and designs; patents and trade secrets.