Intellectual Property lawyers in Papua New Guinea (OC)

Intellectual property lawyers in Papua New Guinea typically provide these key services:

• Trademark registration and protection across PNG’s provinces
• Patent application filing and prosecution through the Investment Promotion Authority
• Copyright protection for creative works
• IP litigation and enforcement in Port Moresby courts
• IP portfolio management for businesses
• IP due diligence for investments in PNG

These lawyers work primarily from Port Moresby but serve clients throughout regions like Highlands, Momase, and Islands Region.

Patent attorneys in Papua New Guinea are primarily located in Port Moresby, the capital city, where the Investment Promotion Authority headquarters are situated in Waigani. Some IP firms also maintain smaller offices in Lae, the second-largest city and main industrial center. Most patent work is concentrated in these urban centers due to their proximity to government offices and major business districts like Town and Boroko.

Trademark registration in Papua New Guinea follows these steps:

1. Conducting a trademark search through PNG’s Investment Promotion Authority
2. Filing a trademark application with the IPA in Port Moresby
3. Examination of the application by the Registrar
4. Publication of the trademark in the National Gazette
5. Three-month opposition period
6. Registration certificate issuance if no oppositions are filed

The process typically takes 12-18 months, and registrations are valid for 10 years with renewal options.

Businesses should protect their IP rights in Papua New Guinea for several practical reasons:

• Preventing unauthorized use of brands in PNG’s growing consumer market
• Securing exclusive rights to innovations related to PNG’s natural resources
• Creating assets that can be licensed to local partners in regions like Highlands or Momase
• Establishing legal grounds for enforcement against counterfeit products entering through ports in Port Moresby and Lae
• Building consumer trust in PNG’s developing marketplace

Papua New Guinea implemented its current intellectual property laws following independence in 1975, with significant updates occurring in the 2000s. The Patents and Industrial Designs Act was established in 2000, while the Trade Marks Act was revised in 2002. These laws aligned PNG’s IP framework with international standards while the country was developing its legal infrastructure in Port Moresby. Further amendments have been made to strengthen IP protection as PNG’s economy has grown and diversified beyond traditional industries.

The Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) handles all intellectual property registrations in Papua New Guinea. This government body:

• Manages the Intellectual Property Office of Papua New Guinea
• Processes trademark applications and registrations
• Handles patent filings and examinations
• Oversees industrial design registrations
• Maintains the official IP registry

The IPA headquarters is located in Waigani, Port Moresby, with limited services available in provincial centers like Lae, Mount Hagen, and Kokopo.