IP ArchIPelago

  Licks for 'Lick' Dr Justin Koo Shenseea and Megan Thee Stallion’s song ‘ Lick ’ has been subject to major attention and scrutiny due to allegations of copyright infringement. ‘Lick’ reproduced the phrase ‘put your back in it’ made famous by the song ‘ Put Your Back In It ’ that went viral as a result of a TikTok challenge featuring the song. However, the origin of ‘put your back in it’ is derived from an earlier song performed by Belfon in 2001 entitled ‘ Work ’.  The controversy with ‘Lick’ surrounds the use of the lyrics ‘put your back in it’ and two samples from ‘Work’ that Anastas Hackett alleges were used without permission. For the purpose of clarity, it is important to note that copyright in a single song can involve different layers – the lyrics (words), the composition (melody/background music), the performance (actual singing or playing of the music) and the production (mixing and mastering of the sound recording). Each of these elements attract copyright or neighb...

  Caribbean Intellectual Property Controversies: The Steelpan Grace Bhagwandeen and Dr Justin Koo Our beloved steelpan musical instrument is one of the most iconic symbols of our Caribbean culture and identity. Surprisingly enough, the identification of its ownership and protection through intellectual property law, specifically the ‘patenting’ of the steelpan has been quite a controversial issue. This blog post explores some of the intellectual property discussions that have arisen with regards to the steelpan. Admittedly, much of the furore would appear to be the result of fundamental misunderstandings of intellectual property rights and intellectual property law. Although the steelpan first originated in Trinidad and Tobago, it symbolises the very essence of Caribbean music and the entire region has been involved in the struggle to recognise the steelpan as its own. The original invention of the steelpan which is dated circa the early 1940s was never patented. It is unclear whet...

World Intellectual Property Day 2022 World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated annually on April 26. The theme for 2022 is ‘IP and Youth: Innovating for a Better Future’. We certainly agree that intellectual property law and intellectual property rights have a crucial role to play in the future development of the world. Intellectual property is everywhere and affects us in a multitude of ways, both directly and indirectly. There is no escaping the reach of intellectual property, whether you are a consumer or producer of intellectual property rights. Creators of copyright and designs, inventors of patents and owners of brands need to recognise the value of their contributions to the world. The creation and management of intellectual property rights are a key part of commerce and offers a viable and sustainable path to employment and moreover respectable careers. Young persons should be encouraged to embrace their inner creator, inventor and entrepreneur. For intellectual property is...

  Intellectual Property in Marijuana Legalization: Possibilities, Challenges, Barriers Dareem Scipio As of midnight, on Monday 23 rd  December, 2019 marijuana was decriminalized in Trinidad and Tobago. [1] For the marijuana user, this meant that the cultivation, use and possession of small amounts of marijuana was no longer a practice they had to conduct in secret. Indeed, the amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act [2]  was a welcomed move not only to the average marijuana user, but to an overburdened criminal justice system struggling to dispose of thousands of marijuana cases each year. Steps have already been taken to liberalize the further use and exploitation of the drug with the introduction of the Cannabis Control Bill. [3]   Essentially, the Bill seeks to provide a framework for the full legalization of marijuana, a move that will allow the sale, wide-cultivation and commercialization of the drug. While the Bill goes through the various stages of legislative s...

  The Tool to Keep Handy Let's Talk Caribbean TM Class Tool! Hanna Niamath-Ali Dan LLB How can we use technology to support and aid creatives, business owners and entrepreneurs? Can we equip such persons with a tool to assist them in the process of protecting their brands? The Intellectual Property Offices of CARIFORUM states and the CARIFORUM Directorate answer in the affirmative with the development of the Caribbean TM Class Tool. It is a free digital search tool which lists terms of classes of products and services for the registration of trademarks across the Caribbean Region. The Caribbean TM Class Tool was  funded by the 11th Electronic Development Fund (EDF) and implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). [1]  Since its launch on 9 th  December 2021 [2] , the Intellectual Property Offices of Antigua and Barbuda (ABIPCO), Belize (BELIPO), Cuba (OCPI), the St. Kitts and Nevis (IPOSKN), the Dominican Republic (ONAPI), St. Lucia (ROCIP)...