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Country trademark guide · Updated

Trademark registration in Jamaica

To register a trademark in Jamaica, file with the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) or designate Jamaica through Madrid. Direct filing fees are paid in two stages: on filing, and again after acceptance. You need an address for service in Jamaica, and goods cannot simply copy the Nice class headings.

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Trademark registration in Jamaica

Five questions first

Which route?File directly with JIPO if you only need Jamaica, have no home filing or want expedited examination; designate Jamaica through Madrid if you already have a home application or registration and want several countries.Details ↓What do I need?The applicant's name and address, an address for service in Jamaica, a representation of the mark, and specific goods or services listed by Nice class; an English translation of anything not in English.Details ↓How are official fees charged?JMD 13,700 on filing, including one class, plus JMD 4,200 per extra class; then JMD 17,700 after acceptance. Service fees are quoted after you submit the order.Details ↓How long does it take?JIPO's published standard time for examination is about 8 months; the opposition period runs 2 months from publication, and the certificate issues about 2–3 months later. Over a year in all (estimate).Details ↓What are the main risks?JIPO searches earlier marks and can refuse on them; specifications that copy Nice class headings are disregarded; and if the second-stage fees are not paid, the application is treated as withdrawn.Details ↓
Key facts

Trademarks in Jamaica: key facts

OfficeJamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO). Website and search links: IP Toolbox.
LawTrade Marks Act 1999 (amended in 2013 and 2021); procedure and fees under the Trade Marks Rules 2001 and the Trade Marks (Amendment) Rules 2022
How rights ariseFirst to file; the application must state that the mark is in use or that there is a bona fide intention to use it, but no evidence of use is needed before registration
Scope of examinationAbsolute grounds such as distinctiveness are examined and earlier marks are searched; a conflict with an earlier mark can lead to refusal
Madrid SystemMember since 27 March 2022; Jamaica can be designated through Madrid
Address for serviceA direct application needs an address for service in Jamaica (Form TM3); a Madrid designation needs one only to answer a refusal or deal directly with JIPO
Several classes per applicationAllowed; fees are charged per application, including the first class, plus a fee for each extra class. Goods must be specified item by item, not just by Nice class headings
LanguageEnglish; non-English elements of the mark or documents need an English translation by a trained translator
First examination (officially published)Standard processing time about 8 months; about 2–3 months with paid expedited processing
Office action response (statutory)Within the period set by JIPO, which is at least 30 days
Opposition period (statutory)2 months from publication in the Intellectual Property Journal; cannot be extended
Term and renewal10 years, with the filing date as the date of registration; renewable every 10 years, and within 6 months after expiry with a late fee
Non-use (statutory)A registration can be revoked after 5 consecutive years without genuine use in Jamaica and without proper reasons
Filing feeJMD 13,700 on filing (including one class), JMD 4,200 per extra class; JMD 17,700 after acceptance (2022 amendment rules)

Checked on 2026-10-06; general information only — the office's published rules and fees prevail.

Which route

Direct filing or a Madrid designation

Both routes lead to protection in Jamaica. They differ in prerequisites, how fees are paid, the address for service and dependency risk. The Madrid Protocol has applied in Jamaica since 27 March 2022; before that, only direct filing was possible.

ItemDirect filing with JIPOMadrid designation of Jamaica
PrerequisiteNoneA basic application or registration at your office of origin
Official feesPaid to JIPO in two stages: the application and class fees on filing, the registration and publication fees after acceptanceBasic fee and Jamaican individual fee (per class, in Swiss francs; see the WIPO fee calculator) paid to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Address for serviceRequired on filing (Form TM3)Not needed to file; required to answer a JIPO refusal, make subsequent applications or deal directly with JIPO
Examination deadlinesNone set by law; JIPO's published standard processing time is about 8 months, and paid expedited processing is availableJIPO must notify any refusal to WIPO within 18 months; refusals based on an opposition can be notified after 18 months
Dependency riskNoneIf the basic application or registration is refused or cancelled within 5 years, the Jamaican designation falls with it
Best forYou only need Jamaica, want expedited examination or have no home filingYou already have a home filing and want protection in several countries

Not sure? Run a free search first, then submit an order online; the agent will recommend a route based on the search results.

What to prepare

Documents checklist

For a direct application to JIPO, foreign companies and individuals usually prepare the following information and documents. Signed documents such as a power of attorney are provided following the agent's instructions.

Applicant

  • Name (for a company, its name as registered, in English)
  • Address; for a company, also the country of incorporation

Address for service

  • An address for service in Jamaica, filed with the application on Form TM3; if you appoint an agent, the agent provides it
  • If it is not filed and you have no place of business in Jamaica, JIPO asks for it within 2 months; otherwise the application is treated as abandoned

The mark

  • Word marks: the words
  • Figurative or combined marks: a clear representation
  • Colour claims: name the colours with their internationally recognised colour-chart references and file a colour representation
  • Three-dimensional, sound, motion and other non-traditional marks: views from several angles, or audio or video files, as the Rules require
  • Elements not in English, such as Chinese characters: an English translation by a trained translator

Goods or services

  • List specific goods or services for each Nice class; class headings alone are not enough
  • Goods or services cannot be added after filing, only removed

Basis of the application

  • A statement that the mark is in use or that there is a bona fide intention to use it (no evidence of use needed)
  • Priority from an earlier application filed abroad: claim it within 6 months, with a certificate from the office of the earlier filing, which can follow within 3 months of filing

Before publication, JIPO generally does not disclose application details; after publication, anyone can inspect the application and oppose it.

How long

Process and timeline

Example: a direct application with no opposition.

  1. Step 1

    Clearance search (recommended)

    Search for similar marks and settle the classes and the wording of the goods; JIPO also offers a paid preliminary search and advice

  2. Step 2

    Filing

    File the application (Form TM1) and the address for service (Form TM3), pay the application and class fees and obtain a filing date

  3. Step 3

    Examination

    Absolute grounds and a search for earlier marks; standard processing time about 8 months (officially published), about 2–3 months if expedited (officially published)

  4. Step 4

    Responding to objections

    If any: argue or amend within the period set by JIPO, of at least 30 days (statutory)

  5. Step 5

    Fees and publication

    After acceptance, pay the registration and publication fees; the application is published in the Intellectual Property Journal, followed by a 2-month opposition period that cannot be extended (statutory)

  6. Step 6

    Registration

    With no opposition, the certificate issues about 2–3 months after the opposition period ends (officially published); over a year in all (estimate, based on JIPO's published standard processing times)

If there is an opposition, the applicant must file a counter-statement (Form TM5) within 2 months of receiving a copy of the notice of opposition, or the application is treated as abandoned; each side then has 2 months to file evidence, so the process takes much longer. JIPO's published processing times depend on the volume of filings, which are handled in order of receipt.

How to read the periods: "statutory" = set by law; "official statistics" = averages published by the office; "estimate" = typical cases. Actual timing varies.

How much

Official fees

Official fees for a direct application are paid in two stages: on filing, the application fee (including the first class) plus a class fee for each extra class; after acceptance, the registration fee and the Intellectual Property Journal publication fee, which must be paid before the application is published. The table below shows the current fees under the 2022 amendment rules, in Jamaican dollars.

ItemChargedAmount
Paid on filing
Application fee (payable on filing, first class included)Per application13,700 JMD
Class fee: each additional class (payable on filing)Each additional class4,200 JMD
Paid on registration
Registration fee (payable on acceptance, before publication)Per application13,700 JMD
Publication fee, Intellectual Property Journal (payable with the registration fee)Per application4,000 JMD
Payable when applicable
Expedited examination (if requested, first class; application and class fees must be paid on filing)Per application30,000 JMD
Expedited examination: each additional classEach additional class15,000 JMD
Keeping the registration
Renewal (every 10 years, first class included)Per application19,600 JMD
Renewal: each additional classEach additional class4,200 JMD
Late renewal fee (within 6 months after expiry, per class)Per class4,200 JMD
Restoration after removal for non-renewal (within 6 months, first class included; renewal fee also payable)Per application12,000 JMD
Restoration: each additional classEach additional class4,200 JMD
Other
Recording an assignment (first class included)Per application12,000 JMD
Recording an assignment: each additional classEach additional class4,200 JMD
Change of name or address (first class included)Per application12,000 JMD
Change of name or address: each additional classEach additional class4,200 JMD
JIPO preliminary search and advice (TM23A, per class, optional)Per class4,200 JMD

Source: Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO), The Trade Marks (Amendment) Rules, 2022, First Schedule · current fees in force since 2023-09-30 · checked on 2026-10-07 · The Bank of China publishes no rate for this currency, so fees are shown in the original currency only

Official fees are as published by the office; the service fee is quoted by an agent after you submit, and you pay only after accepting the quote.

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Example: a direct application in 3 classes costs JMD 13,700 + 2 × 4,200 = JMD 22,100 on filing; after acceptance, a further JMD 13,700 + 4,000 = JMD 17,700, so JMD 39,800 in total.

Example: to expedite the same 3-class application, pay a further JMD 30,000 + 2 × 15,000 = JMD 60,000 on filing; the application and class fees must also be paid in full at the same time.

Service fees are quoted by the agent after you submit the order; you pay only after accepting the quote.

Watch out

Rules specific to Jamaica and common refusals

These are the most common issues in Jamaican examination, along with Jamaican rules that are easy to overlook.

Earlier marks lead directly to refusal

JIPO searches earlier marks during examination; a mark identical or similar to an earlier mark, for identical or similar goods, where there is a likelihood of confusion, can be refused (sections 13 and 21). It can be registered with the earlier owner's consent, and may be accepted on proof of honest concurrent use if the earlier owner does not oppose. A clearance search matters more here than in offices such as the UK's, which only notify earlier marks and do not refuse on them.

Do not copy the Nice class headings

Under Jamaica's 2022 amendment rules, an application must not use the class headings of the Nice Classification; class headings are disregarded unless JIPO considers the description is not vague (rule 8). Each class must list specific goods or services, and none can be added after filing.

Unpaid second-stage fees: the application is treated as withdrawn

Jamaican fees are paid in two stages: after acceptance, the registration and publication fees must be paid before JIPO publishes the application; if they are not paid within the prescribed period, the application is treated as withdrawn (sections 22 and 24). If registration is not completed within 6 months of the filing date because of the applicant, JIPO can also set a deadline to complete it, after which the application is treated as abandoned.

An address for service in Jamaica is required

A direct application must include an address for service in Jamaica; if it is missing and not supplied within 2 months of JIPO's notice, the application is treated as abandoned (rule 9). A Madrid designation needs none to file, but one is also required to answer a refusal.

Descriptive signs and non-English elements

Signs lacking distinctiveness or directly describing characteristics of the goods are refused (section 11); using the Jamaican coat of arms, flag or other national emblems needs government consent. Elements not in English, such as Chinese characters, need an English translation by a trained translator; if JIPO doubts its accuracy, it can require a translation by another translator (rule 58).

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After registration

Keeping the registration

Jamaican registrations need no periodic declarations of use, but non-use can lead to revocation, and a missed renewal deadline leads to removal from the register.

WhenWhat to doOfficial fee
Throughout the registrationKeep using the mark genuinely in Jamaica and keep evidence; after 5 consecutive years of non-use, anyone can apply for revocationNone
Within the 6 months before expiry, then every 10 yearsRenew (Form TM14); JIPO sends a reminder before expiry, but you must renew on time even without oneJMD 19,600 (including one class), plus JMD 4,200 per extra class
Within 6 months after expiryLate renewal, without the registration being removedRenewal fee plus JMD 4,200 per class
Within 6 months after removalApply for restoration (Form TM15); JIPO decides whether to restore, depending on the circumstances of the failure to renewJMD 12,000 (including one class), plus JMD 4,200 per extra class, plus the renewal fee
Any timeRecord assignments (Form TM19) and changes of name or address (Form TM6)JMD 12,000 each (including one class), plus JMD 4,200 per extra class

After registration, the owner or a licensee can give written notice to the Commissioner of Customs under section 66 of the Trade Marks Act, stating when and where infringing goods are expected to arrive, asking for them to be treated as prohibited goods. E-commerce brand registries usually also require a registered or pending trademark.

FAQ

Trademark registration in Jamaica

How much does a Jamaican trademark cost?

Official fees for a direct application are paid in two stages: JMD 13,700 on filing (including one class), plus JMD 4,200 per extra class; then JMD 17,700 for registration and publication after acceptance. For 3 classes, for example, the two stages total JMD 39,800. Service fees are quoted by the agent after you submit the order; you pay only after accepting the quote.

How long does Jamaican trademark registration take?

JIPO's published standard processing time for examination is about 8 months, or about 2–3 months with paid expedited processing. After acceptance and payment, the application is published, followed by a 2-month opposition period; with no opposition, the certificate issues about 2–3 months after it ends. With no objections and no opposition, the whole process takes over a year (estimate); oppositions take much longer.

Do foreign applicants need an address in Jamaica?

Yes. A direct application needs an address for service in Jamaica, where JIPO sends documents; if you use an agent, the agent provides it. A Madrid designation needs none to file, but one is required to answer a JIPO refusal.

Can I designate Jamaica through the Madrid System?

Yes. The Madrid Protocol has applied in Jamaica since 27 March 2022. JIPO must notify any refusal within 18 months, and refusals based on an opposition can come later; to answer a refusal you need an address for service in Jamaica, usually provided by a local agent.

Can I register a mark in another language or script in Jamaica?

Yes, but Jamaican trademark procedure is in English: elements of the mark in another language or script, such as Chinese characters, need an English translation by a trained translator, and if JIPO doubts its accuracy, it will require a translation by another translator. If the brand will be used in an English-speaking market, consider also filing an English or Latin-letter version.

Can one application cover several classes?

Yes. Each application includes one class, with a class fee for each extra class. Each class must list specific goods or services, not just the Nice class headings, and no goods can be added after filing.

Other IP rights

Patents: the Patents and Designs Act 2020 has been in force since 11 February 2022; patents last 20 years from the filing date and are maintained by annual fees; the PCT national phase can be entered in Jamaica (since 10 February 2022).

Designs: registered designs are protected for 5 years from the filing date, renewable twice, up to 15 years; Jamaica can also be designated through the Hague Agreement (since 10 February 2022).

Patent applications are handled through an affiliated patent agency.

Other countries and territories in the region

Costa Rica · Cuba · Guatemala · Dominican Republic

Downloads

Ready to file?

Order online · Jamaica trademark registration

Enter the mark, classes and applicant; an agent quotes after you submit. Once you accept the quote you pay online and can follow progress in your account.

Start your order (Jamaica selected) Get a trademark search report first

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Notice: the services described on this page are carried out by locally licensed partner firms; J&C is your point of contact and coordinates and delivers the work. Fees shown are estimates; official fees are those actually charged by the office and the final quote is confirmed by an agent. Examination times are set by each office and the outcome depends on official examination; we make no promise as to results. By submitting an order you agree that the information needed for the work is shared with the relevant partner firm (which may be outside your country). This page is general information, not legal advice.

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