The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), through the EU-funded CarIPI project, supports the development of modern, harmonised intellectual property frameworks in CARIFORUM countries and the adoption of international IP treaties. In this context, Grenada has successfully acceded to the Madrid Protocol.
CarIPI II aims to relaunch its Origin Linked Products (OLP) Mentorship Programme on potential GIs value chains, building on the progress made during the previous project phase, when mentors from the region and the EU worked closely with producer groups to assess their business models and provide tailored recommendations to protect these OLPs.
Strong IP systems are key drivers for innovation, economic diversification, and sustainable growth. However, many micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the CARIFORUM region still lack awareness of how to use IP strategically, whether in their daily operations or as a financial asset, which limits their access to capital and weakens their competitiveness in domestic and international markets.
For IP rights to be recognised as vital tools for economic, social and cultural development, and not merely as trade-related obligations, countries need more than strong institutional frameworks. Fostering cultural change through ongoing awareness and education is equally as important.
A key objective of CarIPI II is the full integration of CARIFORUM IP office data into TMview. This project activity will support more efficient workflows, improved data consistency and better service delivery for users across the region. In this project phase, CarIPI will also start working on the integration of CARIFORUM IP office industrial designs data into DesignClass, the global search and classification tool for industrial design rights.
Under AWP 1, CarIPI II will continue to deliver capacity-building training sessions for national IP office staff to support them on their path to becoming well-resourced and efficient institutions. To ensure a lasting impact, the project will establish a continuous training programme that will focus on trade marks.
Modernising IP laws to adapt to the fast-changing business environment and aligning them with international standards has become crucial for most CARIFORUM countries. In its new phase, the CarIPI project will continue to provide support for the legal drafting and quality review of IP legislation to countries undertaking legal reforms concerning any type of IP.
Accession to international intellectual property (IP) treaties and alignment with global IP standards and systems are fundamental components of a robust IP system. While some CARIFORUM countries are already parties to key IP treaties, others are advancing in their accession processes or are still engaging in initial discussions. There is a growing demand across the region for technical assistance, policy guidance and stakeholder engagement through a range of areas related to implementation challenges and the launch of accession discussions.
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) expresses its condolences and solidarity with the people of the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba - all partners of CarIPI - following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa.
In recognition of the serious disruption caused, the EUIPO has adopted Decision EX-25-14, extending all procedural deadlines for parties with residence or registered offices in the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba, where proceedings with the Office fall within the period 28 October to 27 November 2025.
The Sub-Project Steering Committee (Sub-PSC) of the CarIPI project held its inaugural meeting on 25 September 2025. High-level representatives from the Intellectual Property Offices of CARIFORUM countries, the European Commission, and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) met virtually to strengthen their collaboration in the field of intellectual property (IP) for the coming years.
During the meeting, participants discussed and endorsed the First Annual Work Plan (AWP1), set to run for six months and is divided in four work packages.