Guernsey Finance

Guernsey has reformed its Intellectual Property laws and produced a set of legislation that establishes the Island as a leading offshore jurisdiction for the development and exploitation of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs).

The first of the new Intellectual Property laws came into force on 1 January 2006. Later, on 1 June a new Intellectual Property Office was opened, providing for primary trade mark registration in the Island for the first time. Since its opening the Guernsey IP office - which since 1 July 2008 has been part of the Guernsey Registry - has experienced a 100% increase in registrations and related transactions.

New legislation that has been passed into law includes trade marks, copyright, registered and unregistered design rights, database rights, performers’ rights, semi-conductor topographies and plant breeders’ rights. New patents and biotechnological rights legislation will commence in 2009 and the Island will continue to work on introducing legislation in respect of new areas of IP rights.

For more information visit the website of the Bailiwick of Guernsey's Intellectual Property Office.