Intellectual Property Division (IPD)

Intellectual Property Progress and Recent Developments

• Endorsement and Implementation of the National Intellectual Property Strategy (NIPS) 2017 is in progress with the review and amendment of all out-dated Intellectual Property Law.
• Kiribati has successfully acceded to the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works in Kiribati and abroad since 02^nd October, 2017.
• On 27^th April, 2018, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives did a remarkable celebration of the World Intellectual Property Day (IP Day) 2018 for the first time at the Bairiki Square, Tarawa. The theme for the day is “Powering Change: Women in Innovation and Creativity.” Prior to this big event, the media awareness was conducted for a one week period to widen public awareness on the Intellectual Property Day, relevant important roles and administered laws of the Intellectual Property.
• On May 3, 2018: The Copyright Bill 2018 was read and passed in the House of Parliament for the first time.
• Application has been issued for the Marrakesh Treaty membership to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled.
• The legal drafting of the new Trademark Law in Kiribati is in progress with the Office of Attorney General in Kiribati.
• Accession to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial property including patents, trademarks, industrial designs, utility models, service marks, trade names, geographical indications and the repression of unfair competition has been considered for further proceeding.
• Accession to the Madrid protocol- The International Trademark System has been considered for further proceeding.

Responsible Staff

1. Mrs Tautongo Kaiteie:    Senior Intellectual Property Officer (tkaiteie@commerce.gov.ki)
2. Mrs Tebaibure Tiemti:     Intellectual Property Officer (ttiemti@commerce.gov.ki)
3. Mrs Benateta Tiotaake:   Assistant Intellectual Property Officer (btiotaake@commerce.gov.ki)

Intellectual Property Unit

The Intellectual Property Unit provides services in accordance to the Registration of United Kingdom Trademark Ordinance (Cap 88), the Registration of United Kingdom Patent Ordinance (Cap 87), the Copyright Ordinance (Cap 16) and the United Kingdom Designs Protection (Cap 99).
Kiribati became member of the World Intellectual Property Organization in 2013.

Key functions and roles:

• Registration of new Trademarks and Patents
• Registration of renewal, change of name or address for Trademarks and Patents
• Providing advice in Intellectual Property matters

What is a Trademark?

Trademarks may contain words, designs, numerals, logos, symbols, et cetera, that a business uses to distinguish its products from other businesses. They have been used to simplify the identification by consumers of goods or services, as well as promoting their quality and value. Two main characteristics for a trademark: it must be distinctive and it must not be deceptive.

Examples:

• Words Trademark: ‘HP’ for computers
• Designs Trademark:
• Names Trademark: ‘HILTON’ for hotels
• Letters Trademark: ‘ANZ’ for Banks
• Symbols:
• Pictures:

What is a Patent?

A patent is a document issued by the Government that describes an invention and grants the owner exclusive rights to his/her invention for a limited period of time. Inventions are defined as solutions to a technical problem.

Examples:
Sunglasses, electric fans, etc.

Who should consider registering a Trademark or Patent?

For Trademarks:
Any businesses or individuals, small or big, that want to attract customers by distinguishing their products from that of their competitors by the quality and value they offer.

For Patents:
Any person that has an invention that is new and useful in improving the quality of life.

How to file documents with the Intellectual Property Office:
For registration of New Trademarks or Patents, application for renewal, change of name or address of registered Trademarks and Patents, send us originals of the following documents;

• United Kingdom Certified Copy
• Authorization of Agent form
• Copy of official filing fee detail (Please refer Trademark Fee Schedule and Patent Fee Schedule for more information)
• 5 prints of the mark (for New Trademark Registrations ONLY)
• Deed of Assignment (for Application of Trademark Assignment ONLY)
• European Specification (for Patents Application ONLY)

These documents can be provided in person by attending the Intellectual Property Unit, Fair Trading Regulatory Division, Business Regulatory Center, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives or by Postal Address at Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives, PO Box 510, Betio, Tarawa, Republic of Kiribati.

Recent Development

• Endorsement and Implementation of the National Intellectual Property Strategy 2017 (NIPS)
• Drafting of the new Copyright Law (In progress)
• Considering Accession to the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
• Considering Accession to the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled