'Green Innovation' is the theme of this year's World Intellectual Property Day.

Sunday marks the ninth anniversary of World IP Day, which seeks to honour the creativity of people around the globe.

The Ministry of Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce held an exhibition of green products at Cathedral Hall yesterday, displaying innovative ideas from local vendors.

Minister of Energy Terry Lister said: "I am excited about World IP day not only because it affords us in Bermuda the opportunity to join with several other countries in celebrating the creativity and innovation of our citizens, but also the theme of green innovation is one that we all can and must relate to.

"We are on the cusp of a new era of technology and all ideas that aim to help us sustain a balanced ecosystem must be explored, experimented and exploited."

According to Registrar General Marlene Christopher, there are several aims of World IP Day, including raising awareness of how products of intellectual property such as patents, copyright, trademarks and designs, impact our lives.

World IP Day also highlights the contribution made by creators and innovators in the development of societies across the globe; and encourages respect for intellectual property rights.

Intellectual property comprises two main branches industrial property and copyright.

Mrs. Christopher said industrial property covered trademarks, patents, designs, integrated circuits, geographical indications, industrial designs, and plant breeders' rights.

Copyright protected the original way an idea was expressed, such as in works of art, music, sculpture and dance.

The intellectual property section of the Registry General Department is responsible for administering the intellectual property rights system in Bermuda. It registers patents, trademarks and designs, and gives advice on copyright.

The office is also responsible for the registration of the Country-code top-level domain name, .bm.

Mrs. Christopher saluted Bermudian authors, craftsmen, playwrights, musicians, artists, photographers, entrepreneurs, and inventors yesterday.

"I would like to impress upon everyone the importance of buying only original goods and not counterfeit and fake products," she said.

"Fake products are becoming popular in industries such as food, medicine, toys, clothing, handbags, music and movies. Apart from infringing the rights of the innovators and creators, this poses a threat to our safety and economic stability.'

She added: "The Government of Bermuda is committed to the protection and promotion of intellectual property rights and I encourage everyone to recognise his or her own creative genius and to respect the creativity and innovation of their fellow Bermudians."