Independent Country

British Commonwealth English Common Law Jurisdiction

The Marks, Collective Marks and Trade Names Act 1999 went into force on February 2, 2009. The act provides for trademark registrations with effect from the date of application. Trade and service marks can be registered under the Nice Classification system, and international priority is available. New registrations are for a term of 10 years, with renewals for like periods of 10 years.

Prior use is not necessary but applicants must declare an intent to use, and failure to use a mark for a continuous period of three years following registration will make the mark vulnerable to removal for non-use.
 
Dominica’s newly independent trademark system protects its existing UK-based and local registrations for the full remainder of their terms (14 years for local registrations and 10 years for UK-based registrations).

Further information is available in an article published by this firm in the May 2009 issue of the ITMA Review, published by the Institute of Trade Marks in London.
 

The Authorization of Agent form needs to be signed before a witness, and then the witness needs to sign the Affidavit of Due Execution before a Notary. No legalization is needed. Also, it is essential that the class(es) and goods and/or services be stated on the form or on an attachment to the form.

Click here to download Authorization of Agent form for Dominica