Trademark registration in Dominica

Trademark registration is important in Dominica is when more and more trader decide to expand their business scope in Dominica, to distinguish goods or services between businesses. Dominica is a small island nation located in the Caribbean, but it possesses a lot of potential for economic development. Dominica is strategically located in the Caribbean, close to major markets such as the US and Europe. This facilitates Dominica’s development of international trade and attraction of foreign investment. Dominica is known as the “Natural Island of the Caribbean”. It owns many majestic and unspoiled natural landscapes, attracting visitors from all over the world. Therefore, tourism is one of Dominica’s most important economic sectors and has the potential to grow strongly in the future. In addition, Dominica does not depend on a single economic sector. Dominica’s main economic sectors include tourism, agriculture, financial services, and manufacturing. The Dominican government is working to develop new industries such as renewable energy and information technology. Viet An Law would like to preliminarily guide customers in the procedure for trademark registration in Dominica through the article below.

Legal basis

• Law on Trademarks, Collective Marks and Trade Names, 1999 (Law No. 12 of 1999);
• Other relevant legal documents

Definition of “trademark” in Dominica

A trademark is a tangible mark used to distinguish the goods (” trademarks”) or services (“service marks”) of a business.  Trademarks can include words, designs, letters, images, numbers, packaging, slogans, equipment, or any combination of these elements. Meanwhile, a “collective mark” is any tangible mark used by a group or association of businesses, intended to distinguish the origin or other common characteristics, including quality, of the goods or services of its members or association. Collective marks are used to distinguish the specific features of the product for which the collective mark is used.

Trademarks must be distinguishing and must not cause confusion. A trademark is not considered discriminatory if it is confusing. A trademark is considered descriptive if it describes the nature or identifying characteristics of the goods or services for which it is used. Trademarks must not declare quality for goods they do not have.

A trademark, once registered, provides protection to the trademark owner by securing the exclusive right to use the trademark to identify goods or services or allowing others to use it in exchange for payment.

Benefits of registering a trademark in Dominica

Brand Protection

Trademark registration helps businesses protect their brand from unauthorized use by third parties. When a business owns a registered trademark, it has the right to prevent others from using it without its consent.

Build credibility and brand

A registered brand will help increase the credibility and brand value of the business. It shows customers that the business is a professional and serious business.

Market expansion

Registering a trademark in Dominica helps businesses expand into other countries. When a business owns a registered trademark, it can easily register that trademark in other countries.

Increase competitive advantage

A registered brand helps businesses increase their competitive advantage over competitors. It helps businesses protect market share and attract customers.

Intellectual property rights

Trademark registration helps businesses create intellectual property rights for their trademarks. This helps businesses protect their brand from copying and counterfeiting.

Trademark filings in Dominica

Filing with the Dominican Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) includes:

• Form 1: Application for the Registration of a Mark – Annex II to the Regulations on Trademarks, Collective Marks and Trade Names, S.R.O. No. 3 of 2009.
• Power of attorney for representation for an applicant whose principal residence or place of business is outside Dominica or for an applicant who resides but applies through an attorney.
• Regulatory fees:
  • 450 EC$ for goods or services in a group, each group adds 200 EC$.
  • EC$100 per group for text-only trademarks or EC$150 per group for text-only trademarks with both text and images, to publish the application.
• The application must contain:
  • Trademark registration required.
  • Copies of trademarks.
  • List of goods or services requiring trademark registration, classified under the corresponding group or groups of the International Classification of Goods and Services. (See Appendix III, Regulations on Trademarks, Collective Marks and Trade Names, S.R.O No. 3 of 2009 for titles of groups of goods and services in the International Classification).
  • For an alphabetical list of goods and services and explanatory notes of the International Classification, refer to the Tenth Edition of the Nice Classification at https://www.wipo.int/classifications/nice/en/.

Trademark registration fees in Dominica

The table below lists the fees associated with trademark registration and other services at the Dominican Intellectual Property Office (CIPO):

How to file a trademark application in Dominica

To file for trademark protection in Dominica, you can file using the following filing methods:

• Direct Filing: You can visit the office of the Dominican Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) in person at Corner of Turkey Lane & Independence Street, Roseau Dominica, for filing and related documents.
• By Post: You can send your application and all required documents via postal or courier service to the address of the Dominican Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) at Corner of Turkey Lane & Independence Street, Roseau Dominica.
• Submit online via website:

https://efiling.cipo.gov.dm/#/ When applying online, you should pay attention to the payment of the relevant fee in accordance with the instructions of the Dominican Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)

Trademark registration service in Dominica of Viet An Law Firm

• Perform the search and notify customers in writing of the results of trademark search in Dominica;
• Draft documents and file and monitor the status of trademark filings in Dominica on behalf of trademark owners;
• Inform, advise and handle deficiencies/refusals of competent State agencies (if any) in the process of monitoring trademark applications in Dominica;
• Assist in monitoring, representing the resolution of objections and responding to intellectual property representatives performing procedures in Dominica.
• Receive dispatches, certificates and hand over to customers (if any).

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