THE EDITOR, Sir:
HAVING PURCHASED my Gleaner and getting relaxed to read, upon turning to page two, I read with satisfaction (and about time too) that the Jamaican Government, in tandem with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), is seeking to take back their intellectual property rights on their goods.
I myself have questioned the branding of goods labelled as Jamaican in shops where the proprietor is making a killing from us Jamaicans abroad who are supporting our hard working people back home. For instance, while shopping I bought some malted drinks and on inspecting the label for country of origin it said Kingston, Jamaica. Having bought it over many weeks, my gut instinct told me to check the labelling for the country of origin which this time said Denmark. I asked the proprietor where the product came from and he confirmed the country as Denmark. I emptied my basket of the product.
Jamaican manufacturers must claim back their intellectual property rights, just as other producers in other countries will take the necessary steps to safeguard their livelihood and protect their rights, so must we Jamaicans.
We are regarded as the parasites by everyone else when everything goes wrong, but when it comes to getting rich we are the source of their income.
I know this will not be an easy road to walk to establish Jamaican copyright, but it will have to be trod to stop this wholesale theft; it has been going on too long. I will be watching to see what will be achieved and wish you all the very best.
I am, etc.,
L POWELL
spanishsorrel@yahoo.co.uk
London, England
Via Go-Jamaica
