HSM IP LTD
Cayman Trade Mark Spotlight: The Security Centre
Kate Cleary, an Intellectual Property Manager at HSM IP, reached out to The Security Centre to get its feedback on registering their trade mark in the Cayman Islands. Kate spoke with Natasha Whitelocke (Director – Admin, Compliance & Regulatory Affairs) Read more +
WIPR Leaders Directory 2025 Recognises HSM IP Team
World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR) launched a new Caribbean category in their 2025 Leaders Directory and HSM IP is pleased to have three members of their team recognised: Managing Partner, Huw Moses; Senior IP Manager, Mrinali Menon and IP Manager, Read more +
HSM IP Named Caribbean Firm of the Year 2025 by Managing IP
HSM IP has been named Caribbean Firm of the Year by the Managing IP Awards 2025 Americas. Mrinali Menon (HSM IP Senior Manager) accepted our award at their Awards Ceremony on 24 April 2025. More than 200 guests attended the Read more +
HSM IP Attending INTA 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego, California
Our HSM IP team is gearing up to attend the 2025 International Trade Mark Association’s (INTA) Annual General Meeting in California at the San Diego Convention Center from 17 to 21 May 2025. Meet Huw St.J. Moses OBE (Managing Partner), Read more +
Empowering Creativity: How Cayman Island’s New IP Rules Will Support Domestic Entrepreneurs!
Good news for Caymanian brand owners! On 20 August 2024, the Cayman Islands Government announced its decision to amend the Trade Marks Act, 2016, and the Trade Mark Regulations, 2017, with the aim of making it more convenient and accessible for domestic entrepreneurs and creative individuals to protect their intellectual property.
This initiative is a positive step toward creating a more supportive regulatory environment, particularly for Micro[1] and Small Business[2] (MSB) owners. By making the process more affordable and user-friendly, the amendments are expected to encourage greater investment in and protection of invaluable intellectual property assets. The highlights being:
- Registration of IP without a registered agent: The existing act mandates all individuals and enterprises to seek assistance from an agent registered with the Cayman Islands Intellectual Property Office (CIIPO) to make any official submissions. The upcoming amendment will no longer require that they appoint a registered agent to file IP documents at the CIIPO. However, they can still choose to use an agent such as HSM IP to alleviate the administration burden and guide them through the process.
Waiver of Official Fees:
- Annual Fee: Under the current laws, all registered trade mark holders are required to pay an annual fee of CI$200 to maintain their trade mark rights and ensure they remain in good standing. It is anticipated more fees will be waived for Micro & Small Businesses.
As a prominent advocate and supporter of local enterprise, Huw Moses, Managing Partner of HSM IP, welcomes this proposal by Deputy Premier and Minister of Financial Services and Commerce, the Hon. André Ebanks MP for making intellectual property more convenient and accessible to all.
Huw is an appointed member of the Intellectual Property Working Group (IPWG), which assists the Cayman Islands Government with intellectual property guidance. HSM IP will be actively monitoring this legislative change and will be updating our clients accordingly.
[1] ‘Micro businesses’ are those that, among other conditions, employ up to four employees (excluding the owner), and have an annual gross revenue not exceeding CI$250,000 in the preceding fiscal year.
[2] Small businesses are those that, among other conditions, employ up to 12 employees (excluding the owner), and have an annual gross revenue not exceeding CI$750,000 in the preceding fiscal year.