Intellectual Property lawyers in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (AF)

Trademark registration in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha follows a re-registration process that requires:

• Prior registration of the trademark in the United Kingdom
• Submission of the original UK registration certificate to the Supreme Court Registry in Jamestown
• Payment of applicable fees
• A waiting period of approximately 4 months for straightforward cases

The protection period matches the duration of the UK registration, with renewals needed every 10 years. All renewals must first be completed in the UK before they can be processed in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.

Patent applications for Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are handled through a two-step process. First, inventors must secure patent protection in the United Kingdom through the UK Intellectual Property Office. Second, the UK patent must be re-registered with the Supreme Court Registry in Jamestown, which serves as the territory’s intellectual property office. Patent attorneys who practice in this territory are familiar with both UK and local procedures, providing guidance through this dual-jurisdiction process.

Businesses seeking legal protection for intellectual assets in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha can find it through:

1. The Supreme Court Registry in Jamestown, which handles all IP registrations
2. Intellectual property lawyers based in the territory who can be found through intellectual-property.org
3. UK-based attorneys with experience in overseas territories
4. The re-registration system that extends UK protections to this territory

The territory follows British intellectual property laws, with adaptations specific to its status as a British Overseas Territory.

Trademark protection in Tristan da Cunha, Saint Helena, and Ascension Island lasts for the same duration as the underlying UK registration. The initial protection period is 10 years from the date of registration in the UK, and can be renewed indefinitely for subsequent 10-year periods. For renewal, the trademark must first be renewed in the United Kingdom before the renewal can be processed in the territory. This ensures continuous protection across both jurisdictions for businesses operating in Edinburgh of the Seven Seas (Tristan da Cunha), Jamestown (Saint Helena), or Georgetown (Ascension Island).

Working with local IP counsel for Ascension Island business matters offers several advantages:

• Knowledge of both UK intellectual property laws and local adaptations
• Understanding of the unique re-registration procedures required for the territory
• Experience navigating the Supreme Court Registry processes in Jamestown
• Ability to provide tailored advice for businesses operating in this region