Gov’t to Extend Copyright Protection for Creative Works

The Government is increasing protection for the creative works of Jamaicans under the amendments to the Copyright Act being undertaken.

Minister of State in Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams, said the amendments will extend copyright protection 95 years beyond the author’s death.

The existing legislation in literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works lasts for the lifetime of the author, with an additional 50 years after the death of the author.

The Government is working to complete the amendments, which will result in Jamaica being compliant with its treaty obligations, having signed the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performance and Phonograms Treaty.

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

Speaking at the launch of the Lignum Vitae Writing Awards on Tuesday (February 10) at the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) on Tom Redcam Drive, the State Minister said that the Government is placing strong focus on the creative industries.

She noted that a policy is being developed that will enable persons involved in these industries to monetise their talents.

“You can get back the money that you should have been getting…and make a living (from) your talent,” she noted.

To further stimulate and develop literary work, the Jamaican Writers Society (JaWS) has collaborated with the Jamaican Copyright Licensing Agency (JAMCOPY) to launch the Lignum Vitae Writing Awards.

Mrs. Ffolkes Abrahams commended the initiative which, she said, will receive the support of the Ministry.

President of JaWS, Tanya Batson-Savage, explained that the awards represent a continuation of the work started by the now dormant National Book Development Council of Jamaica.

The aim is to discover and promote new Jamaican writing and stimulate and celebrate excellence in Jamaican literature. JAMCOPY is providing financial support, contributing $1.5 million to the awards through its Cultural Fund.

The biennial awards will be presented in three categories, named in honour of three of Jamaica’s iconic writers. They are: the Una Marson Award for adult fiction; the Vic Reid Award for young adult fiction; and the Jean D’Costa Award for children’s fiction.

The Una Marson Award winner will receive $500,000; while the winners of the Vic Reid and Jean D’Costa awards will each receive $250,000.

All Jamaican writers, resident or abroad, as well as writers of other nationalities, who are permanent residents of the country, can participate.

Manuscripts are to be submitted and will be judged by a panel comprised of writers, academics, and literary critics selected from members of the Jamaican and Caribbean literary scene.

The deadline for submissions is June 30 and the awards will be held in October 2015.