Solomon Islands Patent Guide

Registration
A patent can be registered in the Solomon Islands pursuant to the Registration of United Kingdom Patents Act 1992 (Chapter 179) which provides for applications to extend rights under an existing UK or European Patent (EP (UK)) registration. The application for registration must be made within three years of the grant of the UK or EP (UK) registration.

The following information and documentation is required:

1. a certified copy of the specifications of the patent (including drawings, if any)
2. a Certificate of the Comptroller-General of the Intellectual Property Office of the UK (UK IPO) giving full particulars of the issue of the patent
3. Power of Attorney

It usually takes about two years for the Registrar General’s Office in the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs to process an application for registration. Paris Convention priority cannot be claimed. Once the registration is complete the Registrar General will issue a Certificate of Registration.

Patent Cooperation Treaty
The Solomon Islands are not a signatory to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). National phase filing of a PCT patent is not possible.

Searches
It is generally not necessary to conduct a search in the Solomon Islands to ascertain that there will be no difficulty with the application for registration because of the requirement that there be a pre-existing UK or EP (UK) registration. If, however, a search is required, the result can usually be provided within one month.

Expiry
A patent registration is valid for the same period as specified on the underlying UK or EP (UK) registration on which it is based.

Abandonment
Please inform us as soon as possible if you wish to abandon your patent or allow it to lapse so that we can update our records and advise the Registrar General accordingly. This will avoid us sending out unnecessary Reminder Notices.

Assignment
Please inform us as soon as possible if the patent has been assigned so that we can file an application to record the assignment in the Solomon Islands (and the UK if necessary).

To record the assignment of a patent registration the only documentation required is a certified copy of the entries on the UK Register showing the assignment and a Power of Attorney.

It usually takes about two years for the Registrar General to process an application to record an assignment. Once the recording is complete the Registrar General will issue a Certificate of Registration of Assignment.

Change of Particulars
Please inform us as soon as possible if there is any change to the registration so that we can file an application to record the change in the Solomon Islands (and the UK if necessary).

To record a change of name and/or address for a patent registration the only documentation required is a certified copy of the entries on the UK Register showing the change and a Power of Attorney.

It usually takes about two years for the Registrar General to process an application to record a Change of Particulars. Once the recording is complete the Registrar General will issue a Certificate of Change of Name of Proprietor and/or a Certificate of Change of Address of Proprietor.