The Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs appeared at a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday where he announced the government’s plans to reform the country’s intellectual property regime.
Sen. Hon. Ryan Pinder told reporters, “we will advance new legislation and associated regulations that will address copyright protection, false trade descriptions, geographic indications. integrated circuits, protection of new plant varieties for agribusiness industries, patent protections and trademark protections.”
Pinder explained, “our government believes intellectual property protection is a foundational element of economic empowerment of Bahamians.”
The Attorney General also disclosed that consultations with stakeholders on the issue have begun. “These types of industry consultations will continue to better expose Bahamians to the benefits of better protecting their creative assets utilizing intellectual property protections and the laws.”
Pinder added that an office of intellectual property will be created and The Bahamas will join international conventions pertaining to the subject matter to ensure intellectual property protection internationally.
