FAQ’s on Copyright
Under international copyright law and Jamaica’s Copyright law, there is no requirement to register your work to get copyright protection. Copyright protection arises automatically where an original work is created in a tangible form, for example in writing or any other recorded form. However, creators have the option to voluntarily register their work locally at the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) located at 18 Trafalgar Road Kingston 10. www.jipo.gov.jm Creators are requested to submit digital copies of their work and JIPO will issue copyright registration certificates that can be used if necessary to support a copyright claim in respect of the creator’s work. The JIPO Register is accessible to Members of the public who will be permitted to for search names and title only
Under Jamaican law, creators are required to deposit a copy of their published work with the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) located at 12 East Street, Kingston www.nlj.gov.jm . The objective of the national legal deposit system is to build a comprehensive collection of the ‘nation’s published heritage and development’. Whereas legal deposit with the NLJ is mandatory under law and failure to do so may result in penalties being charged against the creator, copyright registration with JIPO is voluntary. The NLJ will accept submissions of digital and physical copies of works which will be made accessible for viewing by the public.