The Jamaica Anti-Piracy Alliance (JAPA) recently launched its anti-piracy public education media campaign, as part of the country's observance of World Intellectual Property Day.

Held at the Palace Cineplex in Liguanea, the event was also used to donate computers and other equipment to the Intellectual Property Unit of the organised crime division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

The campaign seeks to inform and caution the pubic about intellectual property rights (IPR), particularly intellectual property piracy, and the consequences of infringement.

In her address, Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, Aloun Ndombet-Assamba emphasised what she said was, "the value of using media messages to combat this modern blight on the development of Jamaica's creative economy."

She noted that copyright legislation did in fact exist in Jamaica and was in force. "Yes, it is working," she stressed, noting that despite the myth that IPR offenders are not caught, since 2003 more than 50 cases have been prosecuted locally, with several convictions and fines of up to $77,000 and prison sentences levied.

"Sure there could be more, but we need full collaboration on this from every Jamaican of good conscience. While cognizant of the fact that ignorance of the law excuses no man or woman when they commit an offence, the truth is we would prefer to discourage piracy rather than tie up too many law enforcement resources in 'sniffing out' the cases," the Minister said.

The Minister said that until there was a significant reduction, the authorities would be vigilant and continue to educate all sectors of the society about IPR.