KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — More than 30 people completed advanced patent training with the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) in September.

The sessions, which focused on training individuals in identifying characteristics that make inventions viable for patents, were held over four days on September 19 and 20; and September 29 and 30.

Executive Director at JIPO Lilyclaire Bellamy, speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ recently, explained that patented items are creations and inventions legally protected from being made, used or sold without the owner’s permission.

She explained that the more persons are aware of what they need to do before they think they have an invention, the better it is, as this will save time and money, adding that this will prevent persons from spending years doing something that has already been created or invented.

“The trainees will become competent in determining if something satisfies the criteria for patentability,” the executive director said.

Trainees for the advanced course were selected from 60 people who were previously trained by JIPO in patent training.

They included people from the Scientific Research Council; University of the West Indies; University of Technology; the Bureau of Standards Jamaica; and the Government Chemist.

JIPO currently utilises the services of the Government Chemist and the Bureau of Standards as examining bodies.

The new trainees will be added to that pool of examiners used by JIPO.