Guidance

Extension of UK IP right abroad: countries A to B

Updated 9 July 2024

1. Anguilla

1.1 Status

Self-governing UK overseas territory. Anguilla has broken away from the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla federation and resumed its status as a UK colony, which action was confirmed by an act of Parliament in 1980. Anguilla has its own patents and trademarks registry (separate from that of St. Kitts-Nevis).

1.2 Own laws

While the laws are substantively similar to those prior to the separation (the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla federation), note that protection of European patents designating the UK has been extended to Anguilla, so that on proper application made in Anguilla, the proprietor of a European patent designating the UK has the same rights as the proprietor of a UK patent. Also, European Union trade marks registered in the UK may now be re-registered in Anguilla.

1.3 Re-registration

Patents: If you apply for a patent based on an existing UK patent, within 3 years of UK date of issue, registration will normally be granted. The patent will expire with UK patent.

EP(UK): If you apply for a patent based on an existing EP(UK) patent, within 3 years of UK date of issue, registration will normally be granted. The patent will expire with EP(UK) patent.

Trade marks: In addition to local registration, you may also apply for a registration based on a UK trade mark. Applications can be at any time during the life of the UK trade mark and will expire with UK trade mark.

Designs: There is no provisions for independent registration of designs. UK designs registrations are automatically extended to Anguilla.

1.4 Administration

Registrar of Commercial Activities
The Commercial Registry
The Government of Anguilla
Anguilla

Telephone: 001 264 497 3881

2. Antigua and Barbuda

Independent member within the Commonwealth.

2.1 Own laws

No.

2.2 Extension

Patents: Independent registration only.

EP(UK): No

Trade marks: Local registration. Antigua and Barbuda became party to the Madrid Protocol on 17 March 2000.

Designs: No provisions for independent registration - UK designs registrations are automatically extended.

2.3 Conventions

• Berne Convention
• Madrid Protocol
• Paris Convention
• Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
• WIPO Convention

2.4 Administration

Antigua and Barbuda Intellectual Property & Commerce Office (ABIPCO)
Ministry of Legal Affairs
Hewlett House
St. John’s Street
Antigua

Telephone: (268) 562 54 40

3. Bahamas

Independent state within the Commonwealth.

3.1 Own laws

Yes.

3.2 Extension

Patents: Independent registration only.

EP(UK): No information.

Trade marks: Subject to locally acquired prior rights, the owner of a UK trade mark is entitled to registration on production of a UK trade mark certificate.

Designs: Independent registration only.

3.3 Conventions

• Paris Convention (International Union) 1883-1958
• Universal Copyright Convention
• Berne Copyright Union
• WIPO Convention

3.4 Administration

Registrar Generals Department
Shirley House
50 Shirley Street
P. O. Box N-532
Nassau, N.P.
The Bahamas

Telephone: (242) 397 91 13

4. Bermuda

Self-governing UK overseas territory.

4.1 Own laws

Yes

4.2 Extension

Patents: In addition to local registrations, if you apply for a patent based on an existing UK patent, within 3 years of UK date of issue, registration will normally be granted. The patent will expire with UK patent.

EP(UK): If you apply for a patent based on an existing EP(UK) patent, within 3 years of UK date of issue, registration will normally be granted. The patent will expire with EP(UK) patent.

Trade marks: In addition to local registration, you may also apply for a registration based on a UK trade mark. Applications can be at any time during the life of the UK trade mark and will expire with UK trade mark. Marks registered in the UK can be used in support of a claim to distinctiveness. European Union trade marks and registrations under the Madrid Protocol designating the United Kingdom do not have effect in Bermuda at present but work is in hand on a revised law.

Designs: In addition to local registrations, UK registrations are automatically extended.

4.3 Conventions

No information.

4.4 Administration

Registrar General
Government Administration Building
30 Parliament Street
Hamilton
Bermuda
HM12

Telephone: (441) 295 - 5151
Fax: (441) 292 - 4568

5. British Antarctic Territory

UK overseas territory. This territory is not ‘inhabited’ in the proper sense of the word, except for scientific research teams and military personnel.

5.1 Own laws

No. There is no intellectual property right (IPR) legislation for this territory.

5.2 Extension

Patents: There is no IPR registration for this territory.

EP(UK): There is no IPR registration for this territory.

Trade marks: There is no IPR registration for this territory.

Designs: There is no IPR registration for this territory.

6. British Indian Ocean Territory

British Overseas Territory. This territory is not ‘inhabited’ in the proper sense of the word, except for scientific research teams and military personnel.

6.1 Own laws

No.

6.2 Extension

Patents: UK IP rights extended (BIOT Ordinance No 9, 1984)

EP(UK): UK IP rights extended (BIOT Ordinance No 9, 1984)

Trade marks: UK IP rights extended (BIOT Ordinance No 9, 1984)

Designs: There are no provisions for independent registration. UK design registrations are automatically extended.

7. British Virgin Islands

Self-governing UK overseas territory.

7.1 Own laws

Yes.

7.2 Extension

Patents: If you apply for a patent based on an existing UK patent, within 3 years of UK date of issue, registration will normally be granted, the patent will expire with UK patent.

EP(UK): Patents granted by the European Patent Office are not distinguished on the British Virgin Islands register from ordinary UK patents so long as the European Patent is also registered in the UK. Under the Registration of United Kingdom Patents Act (Cap. 156, BVI) a UK patent is deemed to include a patent granted by the European Patent Office, registered in the UK and having the same effect in the UK as a UK patent.

Trade marks: Independent registration only, as a result of the new Trade Mark Act 2013, which came into force on 1 September 2015. Non-traditional marks including 3D marks can now be registered under the new regime.

Designs: There is no provision for independent registration but UK designs registrations are automatically extended (a cautionary notice placed in the local press is advisable).

7.3 Conventions

No information.

7.4 Administration

Financial Services Commission
Office of the Registrar of Trade Marks, Patents and Copyright
Pasea Estate
P.O. Box 418
Road Town
Tortola
VG 1110
British Virgin Islands

Telephone: 284-494-1324 or 284-494-4190
Fax: 284-494-5016
Email: trademarks@bvifsc.vg

8. Brunei Darussalam

Sultanate within the Commonwealth.

8.1 Own laws

Yes.

8.2 Extension

Patents: Re-registration is not available for a GB or EP(GB) patent with filing date on or after 01 January 2012.

Patents filed before 01 January 2012 can still be re-registered, although with a shorter timeframe of one year from grant of the GB or EP(GB) patent.

The term of protection of the re-registration will be 20 years from the date of grant of the GB or EP(GB) patent, rather than the date of filing, and will be subject to annual renewal starting from the fourth anniversary of the date of grant.

EP(UK): If you apply for a patent based on an existing EP(UK) patent, within 3 years of UK date of issue, registration will normally be granted, the patent will expire with EP(UK) patent.

Trade marks: No provision for re-registration.

Designs: No provision for re-registration.

8.3 Administration

Brunei Intellectual Property Office (BruIPO)
Design & Technology Building
Simpang 32-37
Anggerek Desa Technology Park
Jalan Berakas BB3713
Brunei Darussalam

Telephone: +673 2380966
Fax: +673 2380545
Email: enquiries@bruipo.gov.bn