NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Office of the Attorney General has launched its public consultation on legislative reforms to enhance the country’s intellectual property regime, with the new legislation expected to be presented to Parliament in the second quarter of 2024.
According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, the government recognizes that it must provide a legal and practical framework to incentivize creatives to obtain intellectual property protections for their creations that will empower these creatives to negotiate contracts with international distribution platforms.
“Our Government has undertaken an extensive review of the intellectual property laws of The Bahamas and will implement new legislation that is consistent with current international best practices and will allow for an efficient and streamlined process for international and domestic protection of IP assets and creations. The legislation and regulations will provide protections for copyright, geographical indicators, integrated circuits, patents, trademarks, and new plant varieties. The new legislative framework is the subject of this public consultation,” the statement from the OPM noted.
“To achieve our goals of utilizing intellectual property, it must be easy for creatives to protect their assets, creations, and inventions. We will reform the process of obtaining intellectual property protections and in line with international best practice, a separate IP Office led by an IP Registrar is proposed under the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs. This specific IP Office is intended to provide the much-needed focus and attention to IP in The Bahamas.”
Under the new reforms, it is proposed that The Bahamas accede to several international IP treaties, expanding protection for Bahamian IP internationally. Suggestions and comments on the reforms are welcome until midnight on March 15, 2024.
The final version of the bills is intended to be presented to Parliament during the second quarter of 2024.
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