STATEMENT OF THE WORLD GEM FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

In 2017, Ms. Haimanot Sisay was awarded the Tino Hammid Memorial Gemmological Scholarship by the World Gem Foundation, providing full funding for the seventy-eight (78) theoretical lessons comprising the Career Gemmologist Diploma Program. In early 2022, she was awarded a second scholarship, the W.E. Hunn Memorial Gemmological Scholarship, which provided fifty percent (50%) funding toward the practical component of the program.

The practical workshops were scheduled to take place in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, during early 2022. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, five of the six enrolled students withdrew from the program. Notwithstanding the financial loss incurred, Mr. Geoffrey Dominy honoured his commitment to Ms. Sisay and proceeded to provide the complete practical training on an individual basis.

In August 2022, Ms. Sisay successfully completed the program and was awarded the Career Gemmologist Diploma, Coloured Gemstone Professional Diploma, and Diamond Professional Diploma by the World Gem Foundation.

In November 2022, Mr. Dominy relocated to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to oversee the implementation of the Project Africa Initiative. Despite numerous operational and logistical challenges encountered during the project, the World Gem Foundation successfully graduated twelve (12) Ethiopian students in June 2024.

In April 2023, Mr. Dominy admitted Ms. Sisay as a partner of the World Gem Foundation pursuant to a partnership agreement. Although that agreement was notarized in Canada, no separate partnership entity was ever formally registered or incorporated with the Canadian Government. The incorporated not-for-profit entity known as World Gem Foundation (Corporation No. 969732-2) remains under the sole administration and control of Mr. Dominy and his two daughters.

The Executive Council further wishes to clarify that all copyrights, course materials, educational content, trademarks, and other associated intellectual property and proprietary rights remain the exclusive property of Mr. Dominy and his Canadian corporation, 16300260 Canada Inc. The World Gem Foundation’s authority to use such intellectual property is derived solely through a license granted by Mr. Dominy and 16300260 Canada Inc.

Any right or authority to sublicense, assign, transfer, reproduce, distribute, or otherwise authorize the use of such intellectual property remains exclusively with Mr. Dominy and 16300260 Canada Inc. At no time has Mr. Dominy, nor 16300260 Canada Inc., authorized or granted Ms. Sisay any license, sublicense, assignment, or other permission to use, reproduce, distribute, or otherwise exploit the intellectual property for or in connection with the Africa Gemological Training Institute.

SEIZURE OF GEMMOLOGICAL EQUIPMENT

On 7 August 2024, Ms. Sisay took possession of gemmological and lapidary equipment acquired by Mr. Dominy for use in the Project Africa Initiative. The Executive Council maintains that ownership of the equipment remained with Mr. Dominy and that documentary evidence, including banking and purchase records from Canada and Spain, establishes that the equipment was purchased exclusively with his personal funds.

On 14 August 2024, the Executive Council requested that Ms. Sisay provide documentary evidence demonstrating that ownership of the equipment had been lawfully transferred to her. No such evidence was produced. Instead, Ms. Sisay disputed the authority of the Executive Council to require such documentation.

Following a formal review, the Executive Council determined that Ms. Sisay's conduct constituted gross misconduct and, on 28 August 2024, revoked her World Gem Foundation gemmological credentials. A lifetime prohibition was imposed against future certification by the Foundation. The Executive Council further advised Ms. Sisay that any future reinstatement would be solely at the discretion of the Executive Council.

CIVIL PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THE EQUIPMENT

The equipment allegedly retained by Ms. Sisay has an estimated replacement value of USD $35,195.44. Mr. Dominy has commenced, or is pursuing, legal proceedings in both Ethiopia, where the alleged wrongful seizure occurred, and British Columbia, Canada, where the World Gem Foundation is registered, seeking recovery of the equipment and all available legal remedies.

ALLEGED MISAPPROPRIATION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Ms. Sisay is also the subject of allegations concerning the unauthorized use of intellectual property owned by Mr. Dominy and 16300260 Canada Inc.

Mr. Dominy and his legal counsel contend that Ms. Sisay is operating the Africa Gemological Training Institute (AGTI) at Nuna Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, using proprietary gemmological course materials, educational content, and related intellectual property without authorization or licence. It is alleged that these materials are being reproduced and used commercially to train students in infringement of the intellectual property rights of Mr. Dominy and 16300260 Canada Inc.

The matter has been referred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Federal Serious and Organized Crime Division for assessment and investigation, including potential offences under Section 432 of the Criminal Code relating to the unauthorized copying of copyrighted works and Section 380 of the Criminal Code relating to fraud. Separate civil remedies are also being pursued to protect and enforce the intellectual property rights of Mr. Dominy and 16300260 Canada Inc.

As a direct consequence of the foregoing events, and in order to safeguard its intellectual property and organizational assets, the World Gem Foundation has suspended all operations in Ethiopia pending the resolution of the ongoing legal proceedings.

For more information, please contact our legal department at: