HSM IP LTD
WTR 1000 Recognises HSM IP and Huw Moses in 2025 Guide
World Trade Mark Review (WTR) has recognised HSM IP and Huw Moses in their latest guide: WTR 1000 2025 (Pan-Caribbean). This is the eighth year in a row that HSM IP has been recommended by WTR 1000. HSM IP is Read more +
Cayman Trade Mark Spotlight: Cayman National Corporation Ltd.
HSM IP is a specialist intellectual property law practice based in the Cayman Islands and protects creative works (trade marks, patents, copyright, designs and domain names) throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Kate Cleary, an Intellectual Property Manager at HSM Read more +
HSM IP Reception to Celebrate IPCA’s 10th Anniversary
This year, 2024, marked the 10th Anniversary of the Intellectual Property Caribbean Association (IPCA) which is incorporated in the Cayman Islands. HSM IP, a Founding Member, hosted a Reception in their Main Boardroom, on the evening of Friday, 8th November, Read more +
Bermuda’s Revamped Trade Marks Law to Take Effect on 1 February 2025
The Bermuda Registry General has announced that the much-anticipated new trade marks law, the Trade Marks Act 2023, will come into effect on 1 February 2025 and no longer on 1 January 2025 as originally anticipated. This Act replaces the Read more +
IP Reform Enactment Imminent for Bermuda
As reported by HSM IP, Intellectual Property (IP) reform is in the pipeline in Bermuda, with the Government of Bermuda’s Registry General sharing recently that the enactment of its updated Trade Marks Law is anticipated later in 2024. UPDATE: HSM IP was notified on 10 September 2024 that this new trade mark legislation is due to come into effect on 1 January 2025. However, the legislation pertaining to patents is yet to be completed.
The Registry plans to update and disseminate Practice Notes to guide IP practitioners through the transition from current to new provisions.
Such guidance is likely to be welcomed by practitioners given that Bermuda’s current trade mark laws were originally enacted nearly 50 years ago, as well as the fact that the new provisions governing the validity terms of trade mark registrations is being adjusted to bring Bermuda in line with the UK and other major global jurisdictions: Bermuda’s trade mark registration and renewal periods are to be amended to cover 10-year terms, while the current registration period is seven years and renewal period 14 years.
While the new trade marks legislation received Royal Assent in late 2023, a date for the enactment is yet to be fixed, but is being eagerly anticipated by both brand owners and IP practitioners alike.
The Government’s objective in updating the legislation governing not just trade marks, but also patents, registered designs and copyrights, is to ally Bermuda’s IP legislation more closely with UK and global standards and best practices, allowing it to better compete for business.
With regard to Bermuda’s patent legislation, work is already underway to modernise the law and it will likely follow a similar course to that of the trade marks legislation.
The last update to Bermuda’s intellectual property laws occurred for the Copyrights and Designs Act, 2004. However, updates are still needed to enhance the regime, including the ability to voluntarily register copyright ownership.
HSM IP is monitoring developments and look forward to updating clients further in due course.
Click here to read HSM IP’s current Bermuda trade mark guide.