Industry Organisations
The Intellectual Property Service Centre (IPC)
The Intellectual Property Service Centre (IPC) is a private sector industry-driven initiative, which has been developed with the guidance of Intellectual Property Law experts and IP, related industry professionals both local and international.
The IPC offers a variety of services geared towards assisting Intellectual Property Rights holders to secure and properly manage their rights and assisting users of IP material to obtain legitimate access to such material. A major aim of the IPC in terms of Copyright is to encourage and facilitate the documentation of rights, which is very critical for proper management and exploitation.
Copyright protection is automatic as soon as your work is recorded in a tangible medium. Recordation, registration or certification is not required by law in order to obtain copyright protection. The international Berne Convention states that copyright protection must not be subject to any formality requirement.
Although registration is not a condition of copyright protection, there is nothing that precludes the copyright owner from voluntarily registering his/her work in order to have an independent record of it for evidential use.
The IPC registers works, which are protectable by copyright under the Copyright Act of Jamaica.
These include both published and unpublished original works:
- Literary (e.g. poems, books)
- Digital & Multimedia works (e.g. computer programs, software
- Dramatic (e.g. plays, scripts)
- Musical (e.g. musical compositions, songs)
- Artistic (e.g. photographs, craftwork, drawings, paintings, copyright designs)
- Sound recordings (CDs, audio cassettes)
- Audiovisual recordings (music videos, TV programs, cable programs)
Note that the IPC does not give you copyright: you already have copyright in your work if the requirements of the Copyright Law in force in Jamaica are met.
Intellectual Property Service Centre (I.P.C.)
7 Stanton Terrace, Kingston 6, Jamaica
Tel: (876) 946-1592, 946-9442
Fax: (876) 978-2338
E-mail: ipc@cwjamaica.com
www.ipcentre.org.jm
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Jamaica Performers Administration Society Ltd. (JPAS)
JPAS was established as a collecting society by virtue of the Copyright Act of Jamaica to exercise on behalf of performers all such rights and remedies as may from time to time subsist under Copyright and Neighboring Rights Laws concerning the collection and distribution of royalties, levies and other monies payable for benefit of performers in Jamaica and around the world.
A performer is an actor, singer, musician, dancer or any other person who acts, sings, depicts, delivers, declaims, plays in or performs a literary, dramatic, musical or other types of artistic work. JPAS is open to all categories of performers.
JPAS services to members include:
- Recovery of royalties and/or any other payments due to you under Copyright and Neighboring Rights Laws in Jamaica and other foreign countries. JPAS will distribute the royalties it collects to all entitled members
- Initiate court proceedings, if such a path is deemed necessary in order to recover royalties and other payments
- Establishment of a working relationship with existing associations and performers’ advocates in Jamaica sic as, the Jamaica Federation of Musicians Affiliated Artistes Union (JFM) in being an effective lobby for better rights for performing artistes
Jamaica Performers Administration Society Ltd. (JPAS)
7 Stanton Terrace, Kingston 6, Jamaica
Tel: (876) 946-1592, 946-9442
Fax: (876) 978-2338
E-mail: jpas@cwjamaica.com
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Recording Industry Association of Jamaica (RIAJam)
The Recording Industry Association of Jamaica Limited (RIAJam) is a members trade organization incorporated as a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act of Jamaica.
The association is established to represent the interests of companies operating in Jamaica within the recording business. Membership is open to registered companies involved in music production, recording studio operations, music publishing, music video production, music distribution and manufacturing of records, CDs and tapes containing music.
The association’s activities will focus on a number of relevant recording industry issues including the following: -
- Music piracy
- Local, regional and international marketing and distribution of recorded music
- Technology and Internet issues affecting the music industry
- Standards, charts and certification
- Public relations and public education about the business of music
- Training and capacity upgrading for members
- Participation in local, regional and international music industry trade fairs
- Tax incentives and import regulations
- Any other relevant recording industry issues as the membership and/or board shall determine from time to time.
It is the vision of the association to establish solid relationships with the public and private sector in an effort to advance the interests of its members.
Recording Industry Association of Jamaica (RIAJam) Kingston, Jamaica
Website: www.riajamaica.com
E-mail: info@riajamaica.com
Contact: Mr. Cleveland ‘Clevie’ Browne
Tel: 876-755-2135
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Jamaica Federation of Musicians & Affiliated Artistes (JFM)
The Jamaica Federation of Musicians & Affiliated Artistes (JFM) is an entertainment union with international linkages through various fellow organizations.
The federation is responsible to its over 2000 members
- To keep them informed on the changes in the industry
- To educate them to protect their music works and performances
- To ensure their welfare, growth and development
The services offered to members of JFM include:
- Assistance, free of cost, to vet management, merchandising, publishing and recording contracts to ensure maximum benefits
- Assistance with collection performing fees
- Seminars and workshops
- Protection from local and international piracy
- Directory listings
- Assistance with work permits and union dues for foreign travel
The JFM is the main lobby group in the interest of its membership.
Jamaica Federation of Musicians & Affiliated Artistes (JFM)
Surrey Local
5 Balmoral Avenue
Kingston 10
Tel: (876) 926-8029
Fax: (876) 929-0485
Contact: Desmond Young, President
Carl Ayton
Steve Golding
Cornwall Local
18 St. James Street
Montego Bay, St. James
Tel: (876) 940-2279
Middlesex Local
73 Main Street
Ochi Rios, St. Ann
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Sound Systems Association of Jamaica
The association monitors the operations of sound systems. With both local and international membership, it seeks to:
- Promote common guidelines
- Ensure adherence to night noise regulations
- Encourage professional practices
The Association is currently establishing international links to facilitate training for persons who can advance Jamaican music. The Association has on-going programmes to educate its members and to provide guidance in social, cultural and financial affairs.
Sound System Association of Jamaica
1a Whitehall Avenue
Kingston, Jamaica WI
Tel/Fax: (876) 925-5543
Email: louise_frazer_bennett@hotmail.com
Contact: Jamila Ellis
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Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors & Publishers (JACAP)
The Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers (JACAP)is a membership organization made up of composers, lyricists and publishers which was established in March 1998 to facilitate a cordial interaction between the creators and users of copyright music. It licenses the use of copyright music, the fees for which are turned over, as royalties, to the music creators (and their representatives – publishers), the people who own the copyright.
JACAP started operations in 1999 and has since grown to over 500 members and there are distributions twice a year. Local music creators are encouraged to join JACAP and are reminded that this automatically makes them a part of the international network of Music Rights Administration Societies which guarantee protection of their rights outside of Jamaica as well.
JACAP is a part of the Caribbean Copyright Link (CCL), for which it now holds the chair, and is also a member of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC).
Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors & Publishers (JACAP)
5 Windsor Avenue
Kingston 5, Jamaica WI
Tel: (876) 978-3591
Fax: (876) 927-7265
Email: jacap@cwjamaica.com
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Jamaica Association of Vintage Artists (JAVA)
JAVA is an organization dedicated to the preservation of Jamaica’s musical heritage through the protection of the professional and social well-being of our vintage artistes and musicians; adherence to high, creative standards and support of efforts toward ensuring national understanding of the value and importance of Jamaica’s music industry.
The objectives of JAVA are:
- An association of artistes who actively began in the music industry, at least twenty-five (25) years ago, whereby a headquarters is identified and maintained for all professional and social activities of its members.
- Development of the JAVA headquarters as a mini Museum/Hall of Fame with facilities for album launches, media briefings, business meetings, rehearsals, recording studio and any type of activity beneficial to, and approved by, its members.
- To establish and maintain group life insurance and health insurance in the event of death or medical emergencies regarding members and their immediate families.
- To approach major financial organizations, both locally and overseas, to access funding for JAVA’s development.
- To approach government, private corporations and print and electronic media to create an on-going forum of expression.
- To stage regular fund-raising events to generate capital to cover rental and upkeep of JAVA’s headquarters; and any other business approved by its members
- To invite all qualified vintage Artistes and music-industry Affiliates to become members of JAVA
- Establish, and maintain a JAVA website
Jamaica Association of Vintage Artists (JAVA)
30 Haining Road
Kingston 5, Jamaica WI
Tel: (876) 925-4057
Fax: (876) 924-5025
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Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO)
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Technology (MICT) took the opportunity to streamline the administration of Intellectual Property (IP) under one dedicated office by setting up the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) as unit within MICT in January 2001. In February 2002 JIPO was established as a Statuary Agency by virtue of the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office Act 2001.
JIPO is the focal point in the administration of Laws on Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs).
The Responsibilities of the office include:
- Administering laws relating to the conferment of or protection and administration of IPRs, in particular:
- Trademarks
- Geographical indicators
- Industrial designs
- Copyright and Related Rights
- Patents
- New Plant Varieties
- Lay-Out Designs
- To advise the Minister with portfolio responsibility for IP on matters relating to the administration of such laws
- To promote the progressive development of IPRs in Jamaica
Jamaica Intellectual Property Organization (JIPO)
The PCJ Building, 4 th Floor
36 Trafalgar Road
Kingston 10, Jamaica WI
Phone: (876) 754-6360; 6350
Fax: (876) 929-1190
www.jipo.gov.jm
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Jamaican Copyright Licensing Agency (JAMCOPY)
The Jamaican Copyright Licensing Agency (JAMCOPY) is a no-profit organization legally incorporated in Jamaica. Formed in 1998, JAMCOPY is the national Reproduction Rights Organization (RRO) and was established by Jamaican authors (writers, poets, journalists, playwrights, photographers, illustrators, visual artists, etc.) and publishers to manage their reprographic reproduction rights. Reprographic reproduction includes photocopying, facsimile, xerography, copying into microfilm, duplicating, etc.
It is illegal to make unauthorized copies of copyright protected works such as books, magazines, journals and newspapers. Under Jamaica’s Copyright Act, creators and publishers have the exclusive right to decide when and how their work is reproduced, whether it’s being photocopied, scanned or downloaded.
JAMCOPY represents Jamaican authors and publishers; all the major Jamaican publishers are affiliates of JAMCOPY. Through bilateral agreements with similar agencies in a number of other countries, JAMCOPY also represents thousands of foreign authors and publishers.
Jamaican Copyright Licensing Agency (JAMCOPY)
2 East Avenue, Swallowfield, Kingston 5, Jamaica
Tel: (876) 754-8910
Fax: (876) 920 9444
Email: jamcopy@cwjamaica.com
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