Women Learn More about Their Intellectual Property Rights

Today was observed as World Intellectual Property Day globally with the theme: “Women and IP: Accelerating innovation and creativity.” The expressed focus this year on women is because they make up nearly half of the global population and they represent a large percentage of people in business. Today, the Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO) held a mini fair at the Belmopan Civic Centre with some of the women who earn a living using their own patents or brands. As BELIPO’s Senior Assistant Registrar, Adelita Ake shared; the event is to teach women how to protect their particular brand.

Adelita Ake

Adelita Ake, Senior Assistant Registrar, BELIPO

“They’re showcasing their products and we also told them about the importance and the benefits of registering their trademark. We do have some that have already registered their trademarks. Well for trademarks their benefit is for the legal right to the use of the mark, wherein they can, once they have their mark registered, they have the legal right to sue anyone who uses their mark or who has a similar mark without their permission. So if they see someone that is using that mark without their permission, they can take them to court. Some have cosmetics, jewelry, some have bags, even pottery, they do painting, they paint the pottery that they make. We also have paintings, which you can see inside as well. We also have just products, you know, that they bring in.”