-study presented to President Ali

A COMPREHENSIVE study on reforming Guyana’s outdated copyright laws, with a focus on the cultural and creative industries (CCI), has been presented to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. Commissioned by the World Trade Centre Georgetown (WTCG) in 2024, the study outlines bold recommendations to transform the landscape of copyright protection and unlock economic opportunities for local creatives.

The research, led by international lawyer Neville Bissember Jr., was prompted by ongoing concerns raised by local artistes about inadequate legal protection for their intellectual property.
The project stemmed from a 2023 conversation initiated by US-based Guyanese artist Shakira Marshall, which led to wider consultations with cultural icons such as Terry Gajraj, Rudy Grant, and Gem Mahdoo-Nascimento.
Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Bissember explained that the three-month study was aimed at assessing the “state of play” in Guyana’s copyright framework and how it compares with CARICOM and

international best practices. His findings point to a pressing need for legislative reform, noting that Guyana’s copyright laws still date back to 1956.
“Guyana is way behind the curve in this aspect,” Bissember said, emphasising that the existing laws fall short of supporting the modern-day realities of artists, musicians, designers, and cultural entrepreneurs.
The study makes several recommendations, including: The drafting of a modernised Copyright Act; the formation of a Federation of Creative Industries in Guyana; establishing a national body akin to the American Society

of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP); Guyana’s affiliation with regional and international copyright organisations, such as the Association of Caribbean Copyright Societies (ACCS); stronger anti-piracy enforcement and public awareness campaigns; access to creative fiscal incentives from traditional financial institutions to support the CCI sector; and greater investment in infrastructure, including educational and commercial spaces for arts and culture.

The lawyer also emphasised that the protection of indigenous knowledge and folklore, often overlooked in legal discourse, is essential for cultural preservation and economic sustainability.
“In Guyana, there’s a lot going on in sports. The same approach can and should be applied to culture and the arts,” he noted, adding that creative industries intersect with other vital sectors such as ICT, tourism, manufacturing, and finance.

According to the study, a thriving creative economy not only has commercial and cultural value, but is also a key driver for economic diversification, social inclusion, and national development.
“This is the first bite of the cherry,” Bissember said, referring to ongoing consultations. “Going forward, broader engagement with artistes, private sector leaders, and government stakeholders will be necessary to place the creative economy on solid legal and institutional footing.”

President Ali received the findings during the recent commissioning of the World Trade Centre Georgetown building, marking what stakeholders hope will be a new era of recognition and support for Guyana’s cultural and creative community.