Select Country

Select a country to view information on local trademark law


Countries
A-E  F-J  K-O  P-T  U-Z

Multinational Agreements
EUIPO  WIPO
AIPO/OAPI  ARIPO
Enter Client Voucher:  info

Get Listed

Promote your expertise to IP professionals worldwide.
read more

Subscribe to Free Newsletter

To keep updated on the latest amendments to international trademark laws click here

Amendments to Trademark Laws

Print this page
Apr 17, 2012 (Newsletter Issue 6/12)
Vanuatu
Show Country Survey

New Local TM Registration System


The Trademarks Act 2003 (Vanuatu) came into force in Vanuatu on February 8, 2011 after its publication in the Official Gazette in Vanuatu. No supporting regulations were passed to support that legislation, and until December 2011, the trade marks laws in Vanuatu was unclear.

On December 1, 2011, a new Registrar was appointed and the new law became effective. Since then, the Vanuatu Intellectual Property Office has been established within the Ministry of Trade, Tourism, and Industry, and more supporting regulations have been passed. New filings and recordals are now being accepted at the new Ministry.

The new legislation transforms the trade mark registration system from a re-registration system (based on registrations achieved in any member state of the European Union) to a local registration system.

Some highlights of the new registration system are:

- Trade mark applications can also claim convention priority from convention countries declared by regulation. A list of countries that fall within the definition of “convention country” is yet to be declared at this stage.
- Trade mark applications can cover multiple classes
- Applicants must have a local address for service
- There is a transitional period during which applications, notices or requests that were made in accordance with the old Act and were pending immediately before the commencement of the new Act are considered to have been filed in accordance with the new Act.
- The Act introduces examination (absolute and relative) provisions, acceptance, opposition, and registration provisions
- The Act allows applicants to file for a trademark registration on the basis of intention to use and for goods, services or both.
- The grace period for renewals is three months.

The Act also confirms that all registrations achieved under the Registration of EU Trade Marks [Cap. 81] will still be considered valid registrations under the new Act.

Source: A J Park, New Zealand