Marks

The Competiveness Company (The CC) has been implementing the Intellectual Properties Rights programme which through the usage of the Marks, is aimed at improving the capacity of Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSME’S), their local and international positioning and increasing revenues.

In 2007, Collective Marks and Certification Marks were developed by The CC in association with the JEA to register the IP, to promote and defend an initial group of products and services that are uniquely Jamaican.  As a first step, The Company developed 9 Marks (4 Collective Marks, 4 Certification Marks, and 1 generic Certification Mark) on the basis of a survey of persons and firms who are active members of the JEA. The criteria for selection of these products and services were:  authentically Jamaican; critical mass of producers; significant number of exporters; high product and service quality standards; positive trends in exports; internationally competitive (price and quality); diverse markets; strong demand; best practice manufacturing and environmentally friendly processes; potential for IP protection.

Based on these criteria Certification Marks (accompanied by standards) were developed for the following: Processed Ackees; Jamaican Jerk Seasoning and Sauces; Scotch Bonnet Pepper and Honey. Collective Marks were developed for the following: Wearable Art; Visual Arts; Fresh Produce and Boutique Agribusiness.