As a key part of Cayman’s improved intellectual property laws, Government has created the Cayman Islands Intellectual Property Office (CIIPO) to serve as a resource for individuals seeking information on how to protect their original works, known as intellectual property (IP).

CIIPO was created to provide information to the local and global public about IP protection in Cayman, in the form of copyrights, patents, trade marks, and design rights. It also will register those IP rights that need to be recorded, as part of their legal protection.

Minister for Commerce Wayne Panton noted that an updated copyright law that expands the categories of creations that are protected in Cayman was enacted on Thursday, 30 June. A new trade marks law, revised patents law, and new design rights legislation will be presented to the Legislative Assembly in September.

‘Modern IP legislation will improve our commerce framework by safeguarding creative works, which is an important part of doing business’, he said. ‘With local protection, designers, inventors and others in creative fields can benefit from their works with a greater peace of mind. Cayman also can attract investment interest as enhanced IP protection will encourage major international companies to register their rights here’.

In May, Government marketed CIIPO at The International Trade mark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. As the largest global association of trademark owners and professionals, the event attracted more than 10,000 attendees, including trade mark professionals and brand owners from major corporations.

Also that month, CIIPO had a booth at the Small Business Expo, organised by the Cayman Islands Small Business Association with assistance from the Ministry of Commerce. Held at the University College of the Cayman Islands, CIIPO staff explained the importance of IP to local commerce, and for foreign investment.

General Registry has oversight over CIIPO, in addition to company registration and birth,marriage, and death records. To learn more about protecting your IP, email CIIPO at [email protected].

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IMAGE: www.cwu.edu