A new Trade Marks Law is hoped to come into effect in Trinidad & Tobago was assented to in June 2015, but it is unclear when it will be implemented. Trinidad’s current trade marks law is already well developed, but the new law makes further welcomed modernisations.
In particular, once the new law is implemented, Trinidad will become one of the few Caribbean countries to accede to the Madrid Protocol and consequently it will be possible to designate Trinidad as part of an International Registration or base an International Registration on a Trinidad base application/registration.
Other changes include: further rights and remedies for the owners of well-known trade marks; a longer non-use period (the current period of 3 years from registration will be increased to 5 years from registration); associated trade marks will be no more; collective trade marks will be introduced; and specifications will be examined in accordance with the latest version of the Nice Classification.
Questions or comments? Contact Sophie Peat, Attorney at speat@hsmoffice.com