A recent copyright study has sparked calls for urgent reform of Guyana’s outdated copyright laws, aiming to better protect local creatives and strengthen the country’s cultural economy.
The findings were presented at a forum hosted by the World Trade Centre Georgetown (WTCG), highlighting critical gaps in the existing system that have left many creators vulnerable and undercompensated.
The study, led by international lawyer Neville Bissembher Jnr., followed months of consultations with artists, lawyers, and industry experts.
“Copyright is simply the legal right to control your own creative work. Without it, there’s no protection or reward for your effort,” Bissembher explained.
He pointed to past cases where Guyana lost out due to weak protections, such as the failed legal bid in Canada over the “Demerara Sugar” name.
Without proper trademark rights, the country was unable to prevent foreign companies from profiting off a name closely tied to Guyanese heritage. In contrast, Demerara Distillers Limited secured international trademark protection for “Demerara Rum.”
Meanwhile, outdated laws mean current legislation is weak on copyright and does not reflect today’s creative realities, especially in music, art, and design. Moreover, unlike other countries, Guyana lacks copyright agencies or a system to track, register, or enforce creative ownership.
The forum also addressed structural deficiencies; there is no umbrella body to represent creatives or manage royalties, leaving many without proper income or recognition. This gap risks the loss of cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, indigenous culture, and local brands, which remain unprotected and open to misuse.
Additionally, the forum proposed establishing a National Creative Federation to represent artists and push for policy reform, creating a copyright collection agency to track and secure royalties for local creators, and joining regional copyright networks to access international systems and legal support, among other key initiatives for the industry.
However, the World Trade Centre Georgetown (WTCG) Executive Director, Wesley Kirton, warned that weak copyright laws could limit access to global markets.
“US and European importers prefer working with registered entities. Without copyright protection, Guyanese creators are at a disadvantage,” Kirton noted.
The WTCG has committed to sharing the study with the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and to holding wider consultations. An international conference on the creative industries is also planned for 2026.
“This is just the beginning,” said Kirton. “We need to build a system that protects our talent and puts Guyana’s creatives on the world stage.”
