The EUIPO Launches the Second Phase of CARIFORUM’s Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation Project

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), leading global authority on intellectual property, has launched the second phase of the CARIFORUM Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation project (CarIPI), an international cooperation initiative designed to strengthen the innovation and IP ecosystems across the Caribbean region. Co-funded and implemented by the EUIPO, the project supports the implementation of CARIFORUM’s-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) commitments and continues to foster innovation and creativity as key drivers of sustainable economic development.

The launch marks a new chapter following the successful completion of CarIPI’s first phase (November 2019 – April 2024), which made significant strides towards modernising and harmonising intellectual property systems throughout the CARIFORUM states. The project’s ultimate goal remains to promote sustainable economic integration of the Caribbean into the global economy by enhancing the environment for IP creation, protection, administration and enforcement.

During its first phase, CarIPI delivered impactful results despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and political instability in some regions. Notably:

• IP offices, judiciaries, ministries and MSMEs benefited from extensive capacity building, training and digitisation support.
• Legislative reform was supported in countries such as Suriname, Grenada and Saint Kitts and Nevis. This included the development of a regional model GI law.
• Technical support facilitated regional accessions to key international IP treaties including the Madrid Protocol, Hague Agreement, Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and UPOV.
• A mentorship programme empowered 20 origin-linked producers, leading to the first GI applications for “Steel Pan” and “Saint Lucia Rum.”
• The Dominican Republic and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines achieved key milestones in plant variety protection, issuing breeders’ rights and setting regional examples.
• Tools like TMclass and TMview were adopted by CF IPOs, digitising services and improving access and efficiency for trade mark users.

Through close collaboration with CARIFORUM stakeholders, this next phase of the CarIPI project will build on these achievements with a renewed focus on:

• Strengthening IP offices to offer high-quality, modern services;
• Ensuring the availability of effective IPR enforcement mechanisms;
• Deepening regional cooperation and harmonisation in IP law and practices;
• Supporting MSMEs, with particular attention to youth, women, and marginalised communities;
• Enhancing the business environment for EU-CARIFORUM trade and intra-regional commerce.

With continued commitment from the EUIPO and a growing network of public and private stakeholders, CarIPI will further empower the Caribbean’s innovation potential and support the region’s integration into the global economy.