Trade Marks Prosecution Fact Sheet: The Channel Islands

The World Intellectual Property Organization has announced that Jersey will introduce individual fees for Madrid Protocol designations from August 2026, requiring businesses to pay jurisdiction-specific charges when seeking international trade mark protection. This procedural change coincides with Jersey's new standalone trade mark registration system, fundamentally altering how brand owners must approach protection strategies in the jurisdiction.

Jersey has completely overhauled its trade mark system, establishing its own Intellectual Property Office and abolishing the previous UK re-registration requirement. The new framework aligns closely with UK trade mark law while enabling Jersey to participate directly in the Madrid System for international registrations. These changes, effective August 1, 2026, include automatic cloning of existing UK designations into Jersey rights and signal further IP modernization ahead.

The World Intellectual Property Organisation has announced that Jersey will become an independent designation under the Madrid System for international trade mark registration from August 2026. This significant change means UK designations will no longer automatically cover Jersey, requiring brand owners to take specific action to maintain protection across both territories. Portfolio managers and brand owners with interests in this leading offshore finance hub will need to understand the implications for t

Jersey's trademark regime undergoes a fundamental transformation on August 1, 2026, ending the historical practice of re-registering U.K. marks and establishing an independent national system. The changes introduce a separate Jersey IPO, new application procedures following U.K. legal frameworks, and require specific Jersey designations for international marks.

The recent spate of super injunctions has gripped the UK press for some time now. Several high profile individuals have been revealed to have applied for super injunctions to be granted to prevent third parties from disclosing (usually) damaging revelations about them to the public.

From August 2026, Jersey will operate as an independent designation under the Madrid System for international trade mark protection, ending its automatic coverage through UK designations. This reform introduces new procedural requirements, including separate fees and declarations of intent to use, while establishing Jersey's own trade mark registry. Rights holders must now actively include Jersey in their filing strategies to avoid gaps in protection across the Crown Dependencies.

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has approved Jersey’s entry into International Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (Paris Act 1971), more frequently referred to as simply, the Berne Convention.

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This article explores Jersey's trademark law framework, examining the jurisdiction's approach to intellectual property protection and registration procedures. Understanding the specific requirements and processes for trademark protection in Jersey is essential for businesses operating in or expanding to this offshore financial center.