UNDP Spotlight Initiative

The Spotlight Initiative is a global initiative of the United Nations which aims to foster the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls using a transformative and evidence-based approach. The project was launched by the UNDP in the Caribbean in partnership with the CCJ Academy for Law. The project sought the expansion of Sexual Offences Courts, training in gender responsive adjudication for Caribbean judicial and legal personnel and awareness-raising activities to engage young men.

Mrs. Diana Shaw was appointed as project consultant and tasked with execution of the project’s training initiatives. Training sessions were conducted virtually by Mrs. Shaw, supported by the Academy, with the Judiciaries of Belize, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda and Guyana.

The project culminated in the staging by the UNDP of a conferenced titled, “Knowledge Fair: Empowering Voices, Ending Gender-Based Violence”. The conferenced took place from 6-8 November 2023 in Barbados. Mr. John Coombs attended on behalf of

the Academy and presented on the topic, “The Use of Specialised Justice and Police Processes to Address GBV in Select Caribbean Countries”. Mr. Coombs also moderated a breakout session on the topic, “Male Engagement and Masculinities in the Caribbean”.

Chairman of the Academy The Honourable Justice Winston Anderson, presented a case study at the WIPO Case Study conference on 15 November 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland. The case study involved an analysis of 3M Company v Manufacturera 3M SA de CV [2017] JMCA Civ 21. The American 3M Company, was registered in Jamaica since 1971, and continued its trademark “3M” under the Trade Marks Act 2001. The Mexican M3M & Device Company sought registration of “M3M & Device” in Jamaica in 2005. This was accepted for publication and was published in 2008. “3M” objected to the application to register the “M3M & Device” mark. The mark was nevertheless registered thus triggering this litigation. Hilary Phillips J.A. delivered the judgment of the Court of Appeal which overruled Sykes J (now CJ). The Court of Appeal held that the marks were similar, and the respective goods and services covered by the marks were similar so that there was a likelihood of confusion amongst the public. Accordingly, registration of “M3M & Device”, as the later mark, should be refused.

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