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BELIZETRADEMARKS
HISTORY(TRADEMARKSACTOFBELIZE)
Prior to the enactment of the June 22, 2000 Trademarks Act, most Trademarks in Belize could only be protected through a system of socalled Cautionary
Notices. Only trademarks that had been registered in the UK could be registered in Belize. The new Trademarks Act of Belize repealed the United Kingdom
Trademarks Act and the Merchandise Marks Act. Any mark previously registered under the United Kingdom Trademark Act upon expiry required reregistration
underthenewTrademarkActofBelize.AllmarkspreviouslyprotectedbyCautionaryNoticesnowrequireregistrationwithBELIPO.

BENEFITSOFTRADEMARKPROTECTION
By registering a trademark a proprietor is afforded protection of his mark since he is granted exclusive right to use the said mark to identify his goods and/or
services.TrademarkprotectionisalsoenforcedbytheSupremeCourtofBelizeandisdirectedateliminatingunfaircompetitors,suchascounterfeiters,whouse
similarmarkstomarketinferiorqualityproducts.

ThelawsofBelizearedesignedtoensurethatcounterfeitandinfringinggoodsareconfiscatedandforfeiteduponimportationatourborders.

NICECLASSIFICATION(TRADEMARK)
BelizeisapartytotheInternational Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration Agreement (NICE). The NICE Classification was
incorporatedintolocalTrademarkLawbydirectionissueunderRule59oftheTrademarkRulesassetoutinBELIPOIntellectualPropertyJournalVol.6No.4.

EachcountrywhichisapartytotheNiceClassificationAgreementisobligedtoapplytheNiceClassificationinconnectionwiththeregistrationofmarks,either
astheprincipalclassificationorasasubsidiaryclassification,andhastoincludeintheofficialdocumentsandpublicationsrelatingtoitsregistrationofmarksthe
numbers of the classes of the Classification to which the goods or services for which the marks are registered belong. The NICE classification is available at:
http://www.wipo.int/classifications/nivilo/nice/index.htm

ThealphabeticallistofGoodsandServicesandtheExplanatoryNotesoftheNiceClassification,shallbeconsultedwhenclassifyingeachindividualproductor
service. The class headings in Schedule III of the Trade Marks Act (CAP. 257) only indicate in a general manner the fields to which the goods and services in
principlebelong.

Use of the Nice Classification is mandatory not only for the national registration of marks in countries that are party to the Nice Agreement, but also for the
international registration of marks effected by the International Bureau of WIPO, under theMadrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks
and under the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks, and for the registration of marks by the African
IntellectualPropertyOrganization(OAPI),bytheAfricanRegionalIntellectualPropertyOrganization(ARIPO),bytheBeneluxTrademarkOffice(BBM)andbythe
OfficeforHarmonizationintheInternalMarket(TradeMarksandDesigns)(OHIM).

APPLICATIONFORREGISTRATIONORRESTORATIONOFTRADEMARK
AnapplicationforregistrationofatrademarkmustbemadetotheRegistrarofIntellectualProperty.
Theapplicationrequiresthefollowing:

1.GeneralApplicationForm(FORMNO.3)whichshallcontainarequestforregistrationofatrademark,thenameandaddressoftheapplicant,a
statementofthegoodsorservicesfeaturedintheapplicationandarepresentationofthetrademark.
2.FeePayment
3.ApplicationforanAddressforService(FORMNO1.)Thisformisonlyrequiredforanapplicantwhoseresidenceorprincipalplaceofbusinessis
outsideBelizeorforalocalapplicantwhoisapplyingthroughanattorney.
4.FormofAuthorizationofAgent(FORMNO.2)
An application for registration of a trademark must be made to the Registrar of Intellectual Property. The application shall be in the form set out in Schedule II
(FORM NO. 3) to the Trade Marks Rules and shall contain a request for registration of a trademark, the name and address of the applicant, a statement of the
goodsorservicesfeaturedintheapplicationandarepresentationofthetrademark.

Theapplicationmustalsocontainastatementthatthetrademarkisbeingusedbytheapplicantorthattheapplicantpossessesalicenseeorthathehasabona
fide intention to use the trademark. The applicant must demonstrate a definite and present intention to deal in the goods or services for which the trademark is
registered. The application is subject to payment of the application fee and other appropriate class fees prescribed in Schedule I to the Rules. Such payments
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shallbemadeinBelizedollars.ThefilingdateoftheapplicationisthedateonwhichalltherequirementshighlightedearlierarefurnishedtotheRegistrar.

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DATEOFREGISTRATIONOFATRADEMARKINBELIZE
ThedateofregistrationofatrademarkinBelizeisthedateoffilingoftheapplicationforregistration.

TERMOFPROTECTIONOFATRADEMARKINBELIZE
ThetermofprotectionofatrademarkinBelizeistenyearsfromthedateofregistration.Thetermofprotectionmaybeextendedforfurtherperiodsoften(10)
years.

TYPESOFMARKS:
CollectiveMarks:Acollectivemarkisusedtodistinguishthegoodsorservicesofmembersofanassociationfromthegoodsorservicesofnonmembers.

CertificationMarks:Acertificationmarkisusedtodistinguishgoodsorservicescertifiedbytheproprietorinrespectofqualityorsomeothercharacteristic.

MulticlassApplications:Multiclassapplicationsarelimitedtofive(5)classesperapplication.Thereisnobarhowever,forthefilingofmultipleapplications
forthesamemark.

TERM&RENEWALOFREGISTRATIONINBELIZE
Registrationremainsvalidforaperiodoftenyearsfromthedateofregistration.Consecutiverenewalsaftereverytenyearsmustbemadesubjecttothepayment
of renewal fees. Renewal applications will be accepted if the mark is being used by the applicant and its use is specifically stated on the renewal application.
Requests for renewal should be made by the proprietor or his agent before the expiry of the registration, and failing this, the request should be made within six
monthsaftertheexpirationdate(Restoration).Iftheapplicationismadewithinsixmonthsaftertheexpirationdate,theApplicanthastopaytherenewalfeesand
additionallateregistrationfees.Renewaltakeseffectfromtheexpiryofthepreviousregistration.Failuretorenewatrademarkafterthesixmonthsgraceperiod
results in the strikingoff of the mark from the Register. A trade mark which is struckoff the Register for nonrenewal may only be restored upon reregistration,
whichwillbesubjectedtothesameproceduresasaregistrationcommencedasanewapplicationforregistration.

USEOFATRADEMARKINBELIZE
PrioruseofaTrademarkinBelizeforregistrationisnotmandatory.However,iftheTrademarkisnotbeingusedpriortotheapplicationbeingfiled,theapplication
must state conclusively that the applicant has a bona fide intention that it should be so used. Thereafter, the applicant must ensure that the mark is put to
genuineuseinBelizewithintheperiodoffiveyearsfollowingthedateofcompletionoftheregistrationprocess.

REVOCATION
Atrademarkregistrationmayberevokedonanyofthefollowinggrounds

a.thatwithintheperiodoffiveyearsfollowingthedateofcompletionoftheregistrationprocedureithasnotbeenputtogenuineuseinBelizebytheproprietor
orwithhisconsent,inrelationtothegoodsOrservicesforwhichitisregistered,andtherearenoproperreasonsfornonuse

b.thatsuchusehasbeensuspendedforanuninterruptedperiodoffiveyears,andtherearenoproperreasonsfornonuse

c.that,inconsequenceoftheactsorinactivityoftheproprietor,ithasbecomethecommonnameinthetradeforaproductorserviceforwhichitisregistered

d.that in consequence of the use made of it by the proprietor or with his consent in relation to the goods or services for which it is registered, it is liable to
misleadthepublic,particularlyastothenature,qualityorgeographicaloriginofthosegoodsorservices.Theregistrationofatrademarkshallnotberevoked
onthegroundmentionedinparagraph(a)or(b)aboveifsuchuseasisreferredtointhoseparagraphsiscommencedorresumedaftertheexpiryofthefive
yearperiodandbeforetheapplicationforrevocationismade:

Providedthat,anysuchcommencementorresumptionofuseaftertheexpiryofthefiveyearperiodbutwithintheperiodofthreemonthsbeforethemakingofthe
applicationshallbedisregardedunlesspreparationsforthecommencementorresumptionbeganbeforetheproprietorbecameawarethattheapplicationmightbe
made.

PRIORITY
An applicant for registration can claim priority from an earlier application filed in a country which is party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial
Property.Thepriorityclaimmustbemadewithinsixmonthsoftheearlierapplication.Thedateoffilingofsuchanapplicationforthepurposesofpriorityshallbe
the date of filing of the first Paris Convention application. A certified copy of the earlier application must be submitted to BELIPO within 90 days of the date of
filing.

REQUIREMENTSFORREGISTRATIONOFATRADEMARKINBELIZE
InorderforustoregisteratrademarkinBelizeonyourbehalfwewillrequirethefollowing:

a.APowerofAttorneysignedandcompletedbytheApplicant.

b.DetailsoftheTrademark

c.CopyoftheImagethatisbeingregistered

d.IntendedClassesofregistrationforthetrademark

Note:WithrespecttothePowerofAttorney,ascannedcopymaybepresentedinsupportoftheapplicationforfilingpurposesprovidedwereceivetheoriginal
within30daysofsuchfiling.
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ClickhereforacopyofourPowerofAttorney.

REQUIREMENTSTORENEWATRADEMARKINBELIZE
InorderforustorenewatrademarkinBelizeonyourbehalfwewillrequirethefollowing:

a.RenewalofRegistrationofaMark(FormNo.11)(Wewillprovidethis)

b.RenewalFees

c.ApplicationforanAddressforService(FormNo.1)(Wewillprovidethis)

d.FormofAuthorizationofAgent(FormNo.2)(Wewillprovidethis)

e.APowerofAttorneysignedandcompletedbytheApplicant.Ascannedcopymayalsobepresentedinsupportoftheapplicationforfilingpurposesprovided
wereceivetheoriginalwithin30daysofsuchfiling.

f.Wewillalsorequiretheapplicanttoinformuswhichoneofthefollowingappliestohisapplicationforrenewal:

TheMarkcoveredbytheregistrationhasbeenusedinBelizebytheregisteredproprietororaregisteredlicenseeduringthelastyearinrespectofallof
thegoodsorservicescoveredbytheregistration,or

TheMarkcoveredbytheregistrationhasbeenusedinBelizebytheregisteredproprietororaregisteredlicenseeduringthelastyearinrespectofthe
followinggoodsorservicescoveredbytheregistration(limitedlist),or

TheMarkcoveredbytheregistrationhasnotbeenusedinBelizebytheregisteredproprietororaregisteredlicenseeduringthelastyearinrespectofthe
followinggoodsorservicescoveredbytheregistrationforthefollowingreasons:(Explainandprovidereasons),or

TheMarkcoveredbytheregistrationhasnotbeenusedin

Belizebytheregisteredproprietororalicenseeduringthelastyearinrespectofanyofthegoodsorservicescoveredbytheregistrationforthefollowingreasons:
(Explainandprovidereasons).

OPPOSITIONTOREGISTRATIONOFTRADEMARKS:
Anyone may, within the prescribed time from the date of the publication of an application for the registration of a Trademark, give notice to the Registrar of
oppositiontothesaidregistration.Theprescribedtimeforsubmittinganoticeofoppositionofatrademarkapplicationistwelveweeksfromthedateofthefirst
publicationofthenoticeofapplicationforregistrationofamark.ThenoticeispublishedinthreeconsecutivefortnightlyissuesoftheIntellectualPropertyJournal.

GROUNDSFORREFUSINGOROPPOSINGATRADEMARKINBELIZE
AnapplicationforregistrationofatrademarkinBelizecanberefusedoropposedonseveralabsoluteandrelativegrounds.

Theabsolutegroundsarethatthemark:

i.Doesnotsatisfytherequirementsofthedefinitionofatrademark

ii.Isdevoidofanydistinctivecharacter

iii.Consistsexclusivelyofsignsorindicationsthatdesignatethecharacteristicsofgoodsorservices

iv.Consistsexclusivelyofsignsorindicationsthatarecustomaryinthecurrentlanguageorestablishedpracticesofthetrade

v.Consistsexclusivelyofthenaturalortechnicalshapeofthegoodsortheshapethatgivessubstantialvaluetothegoods

vi.Iscontrarytopublicpolicyormorality

vii.Iscapableofdeceivingthepublic

viii.Isprohibitedbylaw

ix.Isaspecificallyprotectedemblemor

x.Isappliedforinbadfaith.

Therelativegroundsforrefusalarethatthemark:
Isidenticalinaconfusingmannerwithanearliermarkandthegoodsorservicesareidenticalwiththoseforwhichtheearliermarkisprotected

Issimilarinaconfusingmannerwithanearliermarkandthegoodsorservicesareidenticalwithorsimilartothoseforwhichtheearliermarkisprotected

Isidenticalwithorsimilartoafamousandearliermark,andthegoodsorservicesarenotsimilartothoseforwhichtheearliermarkisprotected

Conflictswithanyruleoflaw

Conflictswithanearlierright

Pleasefeelfreetocontactusforanopinionregardingthelikelihoodofsuccessandadetailedexplanationastotheprocedureinvolved.
Contactus

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REQUIREMENTSFOROTHERTRADEMARKSERVICES
Note:InordertocarryoutanyofthetrademarkserviceslistedbelowwewillrequireacompletedPowerofAttorney.

ChangeofNameorAddressforTrademark
PowerofAttorney

ApplicationforChangetoApplicationforRegistrationofaMark(FormNo.4).

ApplicationforanAddressforservice(FormNo.1)

FormofAuthorizationofAgent(FormNo.2)

Writtenstatementregardingthenewaddressorname

AmendmenttoTrademarkApplication
PowerofAttorney

ApplicationforotherchangetoapplicationforRegistrationofaMark(FormNo.4A).Thisformshallonlybecompletedbyanapplicantfortherecordingofa
changetotheTrademarkapplicationotherthanachangeofnameoraddress.

FormofAuthorizationofAgent(FormNo.2)

ChangeofAgent:
FormofAuthorizationofAgent(FormNo.2)

ApplicationforanaddressforService(FormNo.1)

WritteninstructionsfromClient

RecordingofaTrademarkLicenseinBelize:
Applicationtorecordalicensecontract(FormNo.13)

ApplicationtocancelrecordinRegisterofalicensecontract(FormNo.14)(ifnecessary)

Applicationtorecordtransferoflicensecontract(FormNo.15)(ifnecessary)

ApplicationforanaddressforService(FormNo.1)

FormofAuthorizationofAgent(FormNo.2)

Acopyoftheoriginallicenseagreement(oranotarizedcopy).

TransferofaTrademark:
OriginalAssignmentdocumentornotarizedcopy

FormofAuthorizationofAgent(FromNo.2)

RestrictionandForfeitureofentryofInfringingArticlesintoBelize
The laws of Belize provide sufficient safeguards to ensure that counterfeit and infringing goods are confiscated and forfeited. In the past such Marks such as
NIKE, Viagra, FootLocker, Marlboro, Tommy Hilfiger, and Payless have all been successfully protected with the assistance of both Customs and the local
PoliceForceinBelize.

Note:

AlldocumentsforfilingshallbeinEnglish.WhereadifferentlanguageisusedthedocumentsshallbeaccompaniedbyanEnglishtranslation.

Eachsheetofpapermusthaveitsshortsidesatthetopandbottomofthesheet.

EachsheetofpapermustbeofthesamesizeandonA4sizepaper

Thepapersofdocuments,otherthantherepresentations,mustbenumberedconsecutively,

Pagemarginsmustbeapproximately2cm,

Exceptforrepresentations,pagesmustbetypedorprintedpreferablywithoneandahalfspacing.

PASSINGOFFINBELIZE
Passingoffisatortandarightwhichprotectsthegoodwillinabusinessorthewayinwhichabusinesssellsitsproductsorservices.Itisgenerallygovernedby
caselaw

Thepurposeofitistostopsomeoneelsefrombenefitingfromanothersgoodsorbusinessreputation.Itaimstopreventtheunauthorizedimitationofnamesand
imageusedwithrespecttothegoodsorservicesbeingoffered.Itisoftenconsideredthealternativeremedytotrademarkinfringement.

BELIZECOPYRIGHT
Contactus
Copyrightisalegalconcept,createdbylaw,whichgrantsthecreatorofanoriginalworkexclusiverighttoit.

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REGISTRATIONOFCOPYRIGHTWORKSINBELIZE
CopyrightinBelizeisgovernedbytheBelizeCopyrightAct,Chapter252oftheLawsofBelize.AccordingtotheAct,copyrightprotectionisautomaticuponthe
creation of the work, which clearly indicates that the works need not be registered for it to be protected in Belize. Nevertheless, the Belize Intellectual Property
Office(BELIPO)affordscopyrightownerstheopportunitytodeposittheirworkswiththeOffice.

AccordingtotheAct,theprotectiongrantedtoliterary,dramatic,musical,andartisticworksiscalculatedbyconsideringthelifeoftheauthorplusfiftyyears.On
the other hand the duration of protection granted to sound recordings, films, broadcasts and cable programs is calculated at fifty years from the end of the
calendaryearwhentheworkswerecreated.

BELIZEPATENTS
InBelize,thePatentsAct,Chapter253,oftheLawsofBelizegovernstheestablishmentandregistrationofPatents.Apatentistheexclusiverighttomake,use,
orsellaninventionforaspecifiedperiodoftime.Itisthelegaltitlegrantedtoprotectaninvention.Aninventionisaproductorprocessthatprovidesanewway
ofdoingaparticularthing,orprovidesanewtechnicalsolutiontoaproblem.

Theprimarybenefitofapatentisthatitprotectsapatentownerfromthecommercialexploitationofhisorherinventionwithoutthepatentownersconsent.The
patent owner may grant permission to someone or authorize him or her to exploit his or her invention by granting a patent license. The patent owner may also
enforcehisorherpatentrightsinthelocalcourtsofBelize.

ApatentmaybegrantedinBelizeonlyforaninventionwhichsatisfiesthefollowingconditions

Theinventionmustbenewitmustnothavebeenmadepublicanywhereintheworld,beforethedateonwhichthepatentapplicationisbeing
filed.Itmustnotbeknowntothebodyofexistingknowledgeinitsrelevanttechnicalfield.
Theinventionmustinvolveaninventivestepitmustnotbeobvioustoapersonwithagoodknowledgeandexperienceofthesubject,when
comparedwithwhatisalreadyknown.
Theinventionmustbecapableofindustrialapplicationitmustbecapableofbeingmadeorusedinsomekindofindustry.
Aninventionisnotpatentableifitis
(a)adiscovery
(b)ascientifictheoryormathematicalmethod
(c)anaestheticcreationsuchasaliterary,dramaticorartisticwork
(d)aschemeormethodforperformingamentalact,playingagameordoingbusiness
(e)thepresentationofinformation,oracomputerprogram
(f)amethodoftreatmentforthehumanoranimalbodybysurgeryortherapy,aswellasdiagnosticmethodspracticedonthehumanoranimal
body
(g)anewanimalorplantvariety.
Allproductsorprocessesareclassifiedinaccordancewiththe7thEditionoftheStrasbourgAgreementConcerningtheInternationalPatentClassification(IPC).

REQUIREMENTSTOAPPLYFORAGRANTOFPATENT
Youarerequiredtosubmittoourfirmthefollowingdocumentsforyourapplication:

CompletedPetitionforPatent
Description
AllDrawings/Specifications(whereapplicable)
Oneormoreclaims
Abstract
ApplicationforanAddressforService
PowerofAttorneytoAgentwhichistobecompletedandsignedbytheauthorizedsignatoryoftheApplicantCompany.Legalizationor
notarizationisnotrequired.
Sequencelistingpartofdescription(whereapplicable)
Translation(whereapplicable)
PriorityDocumentswherethepriorityofanearlierapplication(national,regional,orinternational)isclaimedmaybefurnisheduntilthedate
ofinternationalpublication.
APatentCooperationTreaty(PCT)nationalphaseapplicantmayfilethepetitionwithoutsubmittingcopiesoftherelevantspecification,internationalapplication,
internationalsearchreportandinternationalpreliminaryexaminationreport.

The specification must include the background and a description of the invention. The description must be written in clear language and must include enough
detailsothatanindividualwithanaverageunderstandingofthefieldcoulduseorreproducetheinvention.

Pleasecontactusforthepatentapplicationfeesandourlegalfeestoassistwithyourapplication.

Weareabletoassistyouwiththefollowingpatentservices:

WithdrawalofaPatentApplication
OpinionswithregardstoaBelizePatent
SurrenderingaBelizePatent
RestorationofaBelizePatent
OpposingtheregistrationofaPatentinBelize
MaintenanceofaBelizePatent Contactus
AssignmentofaBelizePatent
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AmendingaBelizePatent
Recordingalicensecontract
Recodingofsublicensecontract
ApplicationforchangeofAgent

Wecanalsoprovideyouwithinformationregardingthefollowingservices:
ToContactaBelizeTrademarkLawyer
RegistrationofIndustrialDesigns
Office:+5012233530|+5012233505 CONTACTNOW
CopyrightInfringement
UtilityModelCertificates Mobile:+5016104444
DomainNameRegistration(.bz) Email:steve@attorneybelize.com

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