Innovation and IPRs Management for Perceived Low-Tech Industries: A Case for the Implementation of Certification Marks in the Fishing and Fish Processing Industry of Newfoundland and Labrador

Historically, the fishing and fish processing industry has been portrayed as less dynamic than other resources-dependent R&D intensive industries such as the offshore oil industry. However, some “Low-Tech” industries have become capital and technology intensive. Despite the fact of this transformation, still technological innovations are incremental and come sporadically for this industry. For the fishing and fish processing industry the use of IPRs to create value and foster innovation has been almost neglected. This paper is aimed to present in a qualitative way the implications and effects of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and product innovation for the so-called “Low-Tech” Industries. In addition to this, the paper reviews the current usage and legal framework of IPRs in use in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. This paper concludes with a proposition to enhance and increase the use of certification marks