How to register trademark in Seychelles

Seychelles is a developed country, which has many fields that are advantageous for trademark registration. Seychelles is a popular tourist destination with beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, and a variety of recreational activities. The registration of trademarks for products and translations. Brands in the field of tourism help attract tourists, create prestigious brands for hotels, resorts, travel services, sightseeing activities, restaurants, and souvenir products. Seychelles is an important international financial services hub with many banks, insurance companies, and investment funds. Trademark registration for financial services will help businesses build trust with customers and attract investment. Seychelles has several important manufacturing industries, including food processing, textiles, and handicraft manufacturing. Registering a trademark for products made in Seychelles will help you protect your reputation and compete with imported products. Some specific sectors in the manufacturing industry that can benefit from trademark registration include: Food Processing, Textiles, Craft Manufacturing, Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals. The agricultural industry in Seychelles focuses on the production of specialty products such as coconut, vanilla, and tea. Trademark registration for Seychelles agricultural products will help you protect your quality and reputation. Viet An Law would like to guide customers through the preliminary procedures for trademark registration in Seychelles through the article below.

Definition of Trademark in Seychelles

A trademark in Seychelles is a sign or combination of signs that distinguishes the goods or services of a business (company or individual) from another. This sign can be a name, word, letter, number, shape, color, or a combination of these elements.

Conditions for Trademark Registration in Seychelles

• The trademark must be unique and distinctive: The trademark must be able to distinguish the goods or services of the applicant from other products or services in the market.
• Trademarks must not infringe the rights of third parties: Trademarks must not be identical or similar to another person’s registered trademark or infringe other intellectual property rights.
• The trademark must be able to be represented visually: The trademark must be able to be represented visually in order to be registered and protected.

Types of trademarks that can be registered in Seychelles

• Common Trademark: This is the most common type, used to identify the goods or services of a particular company or individual.
• Service mark: Used separately to identify the service, not the product.
• Collective trademark: Used by a group or association to identify a product or service derived from members of the group.
• Certification mark: Indicates that the product or service meets specific quality standards or geographical origin.

Trademark Registration Records in Seychelles

An essential dossier includes the following documents:

• Power of Attorney: This document is to authorize an agent or local attorney to represent the applicant during the trademark registration process. Usually a notarization is required.
• Trademark Image/Representation: A clear and high-quality image of the trademark that the applicant wants to register.
• List of goods and services: A detailed list of products or services that you intend to protect with a trademark. This list must be classified according to the Nice Classification system.
• Information about the applicant: Complete information about the applicant, including name, address, nationality, and company registration information (if the applicant is a company).

Additional documents (may be required):

• Priority Documents: If the applicant has filed an application for trademark registration in another country within the last six months, the applicant may claim priority and need to provide a certified copy of the foreign application.
• Government Fees: Pay the government fees prescribed for trademark applications.

Trademark Registration Processing Process in Seychelles

Trademark Search

• Purpose: To ensure that the trademark of the applicant has not been registered by someone else or infringes their intellectual property rights.
• How to search for a trademark:
  • Self-search: The applicant can visit the website of the Seychelles Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) to look up the trademark database.
  • Hire an Intellectual Property Representative: An intellectual property representative can conduct a more in-depth search and assess the likelihood of a higher registration.

Preparation of trademark registration dossiers

The applicant prepares the dossier according to the list of documents as above.

Submission of trademark registration dossier

To file a trademark protection application in Seychelles, you can file by the following filing methods:

• Direct filing: Customers can go directly to the Intellectual Property Office (belonging to) the Office of the Registrar General, the Registration Office of the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the President, 1st Floor, Independence House, P.O. Box 142, Victoria Mahe to submit the application and related documents.
• By Post: You can send the application form and all necessary documents through the postal service or courier service to the address of the Intellectual Property Office (belonging to the Office of the Registrar General), the Registration Office of the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the President, 1st Floor, Independence House, P.O. Box 142, Victoria Mahe.

Check the form

SIPO will check that your application is complete and complies with the formal requirements. If SIPO requires additional information or documentation, you need to provide it within the stipulated time limit.

Check the content

SIPO will assess whether your trademark meets the registration requirements, including:

• The trademark must be unique and distinctive: The trademark must be able to distinguish the goods or services of the applicant from other products or services in the market.
• Trademarks must not infringe the rights of third parties: Trademarks must not be identical or similar to another person’s registered trademark or infringe other intellectual property rights.
• The trademark must be able to be represented visually: The trademark must be able to be represented visually in order to be registered and protected.

Proclaim

If your trademark passes the content check: SIPO will publish your trademark for everyone to know. A third party may object to the registration of your trademark within the stipulated time limit.

Issuance of Trademark Registration Certificate

If the applicant’s trademark is not opposed to the issuance of the title, the applicant will be granted a certificate of trademark registration with protection effect within 20 years.

Trademark registration services in Seychelles by Viet An Law Firm

• Perform the search and notify the customer in writing of the result of the trademark search in Seychelles;
• Drafting dossiers and directly filing and monitoring the status of trademark registration applications in Seychelles on behalf of trademark owners;
• Notifying, advising and handling deficiencies/refusals of competent State agencies (if any) in the process of monitoring trademark applications in Seychelles;
• Assist in monitoring and representing the resolution of objections and feedback to the intellectual property representative performing the procedure in Seychelles.
• Receive official dispatches, certificates and hand over to customers (if any).

If you want to file a trademark registration application, please contact Viet An Law for the most effective support.