HSM IP LTD
HSM IP Attending INTA 2026 Annual Meeting in London
Our HSM IP team has landed in London and is gearing up to attend the International Trade Mark Association’s (INTA) Annual General Meeting from 2-6 May 2026. Meet Huw St.J. Moses OBE (Managing Partner), Mrinali Menon (Senior IP Manager), Shirly Read more +
HSM IP Named Caribbean Firm of the Year 2026 by Managing IP
HSM IP has been named Caribbean Firm of the Year at the Managing IP Awards 2026 Americas. This marks two years in a row that our firm has achieved this prestigious recognition, reflecting the strength of our intellectual property practice Read more +
HSM IP Contributes Cayman Trade Mark Chapter in ICLG 2026
HSM IP is pleased to have contributed once again to the International Comparative Legal Guide (ICLG) to Trade Marks. Click here to read our Cayman Islands chapter in the 15th edition of the guide, authored by Huw Moses, Mrinali Menon Read more +
From Goods to Goods AND Service Marks: Bahamas Expands Trade Mark Protection
Good news for brand owners seeking to protect their service marks in Bahamas, as the Registrar General’s Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun to allow applications to register marks for services. In 2025, the Bahamas Government took Read more +
The Cayman Islands Intellectual Property Office (CIIPO) Continues at an Active Pace
Since the implementation of the Cayman Islands Trade Marks Law 2016 on 1 August 2017, more than 1,000 trade mark applications have been filed under the new regime. Impressively, the Cayman Islands Intellectual Property Office (CIIPO) has already approved or registered around 75% of the applications for registration.
According to the CIIPO website, there are currently 29 Patent and Trade Mark Agents licensed to do business before CIIPO. HSM IP Ltd. continues to lead the way in this specialist field, having filed over 40% of the new trade mark applications filed since the implementation of the new law.
Unlike applications filed under the repealed law, applications filed under the current law are examined on absolute and relative grounds and published for opposition purposes. Third parties have 60 days from the date of the publication of the application to oppose. There are no intent-to-use requirements, and, notably, there are no procedures for the revocation of a trade mark registration on grounds of non-use. However, annual fees continue to be payable on all trade marks and the payment of these fees is necessary in order to keep registered rights in good standing.
Trade marks registered under the repealed law remain in force and are treated in the same manner as national trade mark registrations at renewal under the current law. Marks registered under the repealed law continue to fall due on the previously assigned renewal date. No evidence of renewal of the corresponding UK or EU registration is required. CIIPO reviewed and published almost a 1,000 renewal applications during the period 1 August 2017 to 31 October 2019 with HSM IP Ltd. having filed over half of these renewals.
HSM IP Ltd. has a full complement of attorneys, paralegals and specialist staff ready to assist you with your trade mark and intellectual property requirements in the Cayman Islands as well as in other Caribbean and Latin American countries and beyond.