How to copyright in Jamaica?
What Is Copyright?
According to Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers Ltd. (JACAP), copyright protects original dramatic, literary, musical and artistic work and allows this original work to be considered property of the author.
How to Copyright your works in 3 easy steps
- The author can send a copy of the original work to himself / herself by registered mail. The enveloped should remain unopened and stored safely along with the receipt from the post office.
- A copy of the work can be deposited to the National Library of Jamaica. In fact, the Jamaican Legal Deposits Act requires Jamaican residents who publish library matter to deposit copies of their publication with the National Library of Jamaica.
- A copy of the work can be deposited to an Attorney-at-law
Social Media & Copyright
Protecting Jamaica's Intellectual Property Worldwide
How to Copyright your works in 3 easy steps
- Titles/ names
- Short phases
- Slogans
- Ideas
- Concepts
- Processes
- Principles/Procedures
- Methods
- Factual information and other types of intellectual property
How long will your Copyright protection last?
Well this all depends on the type of original work.
- Literary, Dramatic, Musical, Artistic Works – Copyright protection lasts for the life of the Author plus Ninety-Five years (95).
- Computer Generated Works – Copyright protection lasts for 50 years after it is made.
- Sound Recordings and Films – Copyright protection lasts for 95 years from the end of the calendar year in which it was first made available to the public.
- Broadcasts – Copyright protection lasts for 95 years from the end of the calendar year in which broadcast was made.
- Typographical Arrangements – Copyright protection lasts for 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which it was published.