Intellectual Property is central to economic well-being, says Justice Colin Williams

“Intellectual property cannot be treated as a mere addendum to other activities. It is not an appendix, it is central to our growth, development or relevance; it is central to economic well-being. It is therefore not just important, but absolutely necessary to create an enabling environment and a positive attitude towards the protection of the intellectual property rights of all innovators, entrepreneurs, and businesses.” This was the declaration of Justice Colin William, as he delivered the keynote address on April 26, at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown on the occasion of World Intellectual Property Day.

“What really defines us as Vincentians as island people who are part of the OECS. As Caribbean nationals what defines us? It has to be our creative imagination and our creative intellect. That is where our unique flair as people lies. That is, indeed your intellectual property, and it is something that has to be protected.”

World Intellectual Property Day was observed under the theme “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity.”

Speaking before a turn out of fewer than 20 persons, inclusive of the media, Williams said “The first order of business today is to recognize and applaud all persons. In other words, you who are here, but taken the opportunity to observe and reflect on the interrelated issues of intellectual property rights and the future as we celebrate World Intellectual Property day.”

He said intellectual property is not just about something today, “it is about looking down the line and looking into the future”.

Justice Williams, a former journalist, added that there should be an acknowledgment and an appreciation of the present state of affairs.

“… What we are about therefore is a two-stage process where there is stocktaking and, following that, the elaboration of a plan for going forward purposefully and intentionally.”

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), enjoins persons

to do certain things on World Intellectual Property Day.

“One is to celebrate the amazing achievements of Vincentian women inventors, creators and entrepreneurs, as well as those women from our sub-region, the Caribbean, and the world. We’ll be innovators, creators and entrepreneurs. That’s one aspect,” Williams said.

“ The other thing is to redouble efforts to promote inclusion and diversity in all areas of our work to ensure the development of innovation, ecosystem, or ecosystems that are accessible to all genders. Even as we recognize and applaud the trail blazing strides of our women inventors, creators and entrepreneurs here and all those in the Diaspora and women throughout the world, the advocacy for a collective approach, ensuring that all genders have access to and receive the benefits of the development, innovation ecosystems is paramount.”

WIPO stated in observance of World Intellectual Property Day that women account for only around one in five designers behind the look and feel of products, from simple packaging to mobile phones and automotive exteriors.

“Previous findings show that only about 16% of inventors listed in international patent applications – one metric of human innovation – are women, which is now mirrored by new data on women’s participation in industrial design applications,” states the WIPO data, released for the occasion.

In observance of World Intellectual property Day April 26, 2021, one of the key landmarks was the signing on Thursday April 22, 2021, of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the World Intellectual Property Organization.

According to the OECS Media Centre, the purpose of that MOU “was to strengthen the regional legal and regulatory architecture necessary to support the protection and monetization of intangible assets and other forms of intellectual property in the region”.

Speaking of that MOU, Williams who also is a former Director of Public Prosecution in SVG said “there has to be a strengthening as they indicated, with the support of WIPO, of people’s property rights. The creativity of persons, the innovation, this is registered- has to be supported by the necessary facilities … and to enforce the property rights because it has value, persons creativity, the creative abilities, the entrepreneurship need to be protected.”

He then asked: “Is it too early to ask how our domestic and regional innovators, creators and entrepreneurs responded to that particular MOU between WIPO and the OECS? Have they been able to access and utilize the additional support to expand enterprises, accelerate their innovation and creativity, and better position themselves within the global environment

and they’ve been able to monitor and monetize the work?

“That question is for you to reflect on,” Williams challenged.