Gibraltar Trade Mark Guide

Registration
A trade mark can be registered in Gibraltar pursuant to The Trade Marks Act 1948 as amended which provides for applications to extend rights under an existing UK registration.

The following information and documentation is required:
1. a certified representation of the mark
2. two copies of the mark (unless mark is word only)
3. a Certificate of the Comptroller of the Intellectual Property Office of the UK (UK IPO) (under his title of Registrar of Trade Marks) giving full particulars of the registration

It usually takes about two months for the Registrar at Companies House Gibraltar to process an application for registration. Paris Convention priority cannot be claimed. Once the registration is complete the Registrar will issue a Certificate of Registration.

International registrations designating the UK are automatically protected in Gibraltar, as are comparable European Union (EU) and International registrations designating the EU as long as they remain in force in the UK.

Classes
The International Classification system is used. Multi-class applications are allowed. A mark does not have to be registered in Gibraltar in all the classes covered by the base registration, however, the classes in which the mark is to be registered in Gibraltar must be covered by the base registration.

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

Renewal
A trade mark registration is valid for the same period as specified on the underlying UK registration on which it is based.

The registration can only be renewed in Gibraltar once the UK registration has been renewed.

Two months before the renewal date we will send you an Expiry Notice asking whether you wish us to renew the registration (and the UK registration if necessary) or allow the mark to lapse. If the registration is to be renewed the only documentation required is a Certificate from the Registrar in the UK showing that the mark has been renewed.

The application for renewal must be submitted within three months of the date of renewal of the underlying UK registration.

It usually takes about two months for the Registrar to process an application for renewal. Once the renewal is complete the Registrar will issue a Certificate of Renewal.

If you do not wish to renew the mark please inform us so that we can advise the Registrar accordingly.

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

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

To record the assignment of a trade mark registration the only documentation required is a certified copy of the document showing the assignment (notarised).

It usually takes about two months for the Registrar to process an application to record an assignment. Once the recording is complete the Registrar will issue a Certificate showing the 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 Gibraltar (and in the UK if necessary).

To record a change of name and/or address for a trade mark registration no documentation is required.

It usually takes about two months for the Registrar to process an application to record a Change of Particulars.