Turks & Caicos Patent Guide

Registration
A patent can be registered in Turks & Caicos pursuant to the Patents Ordinance and Subsidiary Legislation 2014 (Chapter 17.03) (Revised Edition) which provides for applications to extend rights under a UK or European Patent (EP (UK)) registration within five years of the date of issue.

The only documentation required is a certified copy of the UK or EP (UK) registration and an Authorisation of Agent. No further information is required.

It usually takes six months or less for the Registry to process an application for registration. Paris Convention priority cannot be claimed. Once the registration is complete the Registry will issue a Certificate of Registration.

Patent Cooperation Treaty
Turks & Caicos 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 Turks & Caicos 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 week.

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 Registry 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 Turks & Caicos.

To record the assignment of a patent registration the only documentation required is a certified copy of the entries on the UK or EP (UK) Register showing the assignment and an Authorisation of Agent.

It usually takes three months or less for the Registry to process an application to record an assignment. Once the recording is complete the Registry will issue a Certificate 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 Turks & Caicos.

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 or EP (UK) Register showing the change and an Authorisation of Agent.

It usually takes three months or less for the Registry to process an application to record a Change of Particulars. Once the recording is complete the Registry will issue a Certificate of Change.