The modernised legal framework for intellectual property (IP) in
the Cayman Islands features a new Trade Marks Law that has
facilitated a year-long surge in local registrations for company
brands.
'Direct trade marks registration has been strong', said
Candace Westby, Head of Intellectual Property for the Cayman
Islands Intellectual Property Office (CIIPO). 'Under the
previous law, we averaged 300 applications per year. But since the
August 2017 commencement of the new Trade Marks Law, we've
doubled that number – we've received 621 applications in
the past 12 months'.
'CIIPO's registration of trade marks, then, provides a
key barometer for Cayman's IP growth', she said.
According to Deputy Registrar of Intellectual Property Donnell
Dixon, Government recognised a need for a new IP regime more than
15 years ago and, after reviewing the former framework, charted a
path in 2009 to modernise IP – trade marks, design rights,
copyright and patents.
