Intellectual Property lawyers in French Polynesia (OC)

Trademark registration in French Polynesia follows these steps:

• For marks registered in France after February 1, 2014, file a territorial extension request within 6 months of the original application
• Submit application materials to the Office of Industrial Property of French Polynesia in Papeete
• Pay the extension fee (approximately 60 euros)
• Wait for examination (typically 2 months)
• Receive confirmation of protection in French Polynesia

Trademarks registered before March 3, 2004 remain automatically valid in French Polynesia without additional steps.

Businesses need patent attorneys in French Polynesia because the territory has specific patent regulations that differ from mainland France. Patent attorneys in this region provide essential services including:

• Guidance on territorial extension of patents from France
• Navigation of local patent application procedures
• Representation before the Office of Industrial Property of French Polynesia
• Advice on patent enforcement in Tahiti and other islands
• Assistance with patent renewals and maintenance requirements

Industrial property protection duration in French Polynesia follows these timeframes:

1. Patents: 20 years from filing date, with mandatory renewal fees
2. Trademarks: 10 years, renewable indefinitely for additional 10-year periods
3. Industrial designs: 5 years, renewable up to a maximum of 25 years
4. Plant varieties: 25 years for most plants, 30 years for trees and vines

These protection periods align with standard French intellectual property law but require specific territorial extension to be valid in French Polynesia.

You can find lawyers specializing in Polynesian industrial property rights through:

1. The intellectual-property.org directory, which lists professionals in Papeete and other locations
2. The Papeete Bar Association (Ordre des Avocats de Papeete)
3. The Office of Industrial Property of French Polynesia, which can provide referrals
4. Legal networks in Tahiti, particularly in the business district of Papeete

Most qualified IP lawyers in French Polynesia are located in Papeete, the economic and administrative center of the territory.

The key differences in patent law between French Polynesia and mainland France include:

1. Territorial application: Patents registered in France after February 1, 2014 are not automatically valid in French Polynesia

2. Extension requirement: A specific territorial extension request must be filed

3. Additional fees: Separate fees (300 euros) must be paid for French Polynesian protection

4. Local examination: French Polynesian authorities conduct their own review of patent applications

5. Historical provisions: Different rules apply to patents filed during specific time periods (before March 3, 2004 vs. between March 3, 2004 and January 31, 2014).