BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
THE BVI PRODUCES FEW GOODS AND TO MEET CONSUMER NEEDS IT RELIES HEAVILY ON IMPORTS, PRIMARILY FROM THE US. HOWEVER, THE BVI DOES NOT ALLOW REGISTRATION OF SERVICE MARKS.
or without, any corresponding goodwill, it is not possible to transfer a trademark in the BVI without the corresponding goodwill unless the trademark registration is based on a prior UK registration. All that is necessary for the assignment of a trademark registered based on a prior UK registration is a certified copy of the UK certificate demonstrating the assignment in the UK along with the necessary authorisation appointing an agent in the BVI. However, to transfer a registered trademark not based on a prior UK registration there must be a deed of assignment signed by both the assignor and the assignee. It is advisable that a general assignment agreement be entered into by the trademark owner and the assignee requiring both parties to execute such other documents as may be necessary to effect the assignment in any jurisdiction where necessary. This should then be followed by a simple deed of assignment governed by BVI law.
Conclusion
which amounts to passing off. The common law principle is caveat emptor, and would ordinarily not allow even an innocent buyer to obtain relief against the trader. However, the sale of infringing goods may amount to a breach of the statutorily implied terms that the seller has a right to sell the goods concerned and the buyer will enjoy quiet possession under the BVI’s Sale of Goods Act.
By search and seizure orders under the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Civil Procedure Rules 2000, previously known as Anton Piller orders, the court will allow evidence to be seized and secured, pending a hearing. This provides an ‘equitable’ remedy in cases of trademark infringement and is the only real tool against counterfeiters operating in or from the BVI.
Assignments
An assignment is a complete transfer of ownership and, although since 1938 it has been possible in the UK to assign a trademark with,
66 World Intellectual Property Review e-Digest 2012
As a service-oriented economy, the BVI produces few goods. To meet consumer needs the society relies heavily on imports, primarily from the US. However, the BVI does not allow registration of service marks. Trademark owners must, then, rely on cumbersome common law rules for the protection of their various rights or on recently-questioned practices attempting to circumvent this limitation. It is expected that the focus group appointed in January 2010 will conclude its work shortly to provide a more modern regime for the registration and protection of trademarks.
Jamal Smith is the founder and principal of Thornton Smith. He can be contacted at:
jamal.smith@
thorntonsmith.com
Jamal S Smith previously worked for the largest law firm in the BVI, advising some of the largest law firms, multinational corporations and banks from major financial centres globally. He is also the 2012—2013 chairman of the INTA Bulletin Subcommittee for Latin America and the Caribbean.
www.worldipreview.com
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