Above: Industry Minister Anthony Hylton

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaica’s government is working to complete amendments to the country’s Copyright Act, according to Industry Minister Anthony Hylton.

The changes would make Jamaica compliant with its treaty obligations, including the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performance and Phonograms Treaty.

“These treaties are commonly known as the Internet Treaties and allow for the protection of works disseminated over digital networks, including, but not limited to, the Internet,” he said.

Hylton was speaking at the launch of the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office’s e-JIPO digitization programme, which is held at JAMPRO’s New Kingston headquarters.

The changes will also allow for regulations to be passed for government oversight of Copyright Collective Management Societies, representing the interests of creators and publishers of musical and literary works and producers of sound recordings.

Jamaica will also soon implement the International Voluntary Registration System for copyright; Jamaica is reportedly the first English-speaking country to receive the system from the WIPO.