St Helena

St Helena is an island in the South Atlantic Ocean which lies about 1,920km west of Angola and is administered by the United Kingdom.

General information

• Capital: Jamestown
• Population: 7 000
• Area: 410 km2
• Languages: English – official language
• Exports: Fish (frozen and salt-dried skipjack, tuna); handicrafts
• Imports: Food; beverages; tobacco; fuel oils; animal feed; building materials; motor vehicles and parts; machinery and parts
• Currency: St Helena Pound

Trademarks

Law:

Registration of United Kingdom Trade Marks Ordinance (Chapter 121), Registration of United Kingdom Trade Mark Ordinance 1949 (no. 1 of 1949) and the relevant Rules.

Requirements for Application:

An application in St Helena must be based on a United Kingdom registration. The documents required are as follows:-

(a) Power of attorney, simply signed.
(b) Ten prints of the trade mark - device marks.
(c) Certified copy of the corresponding United Kingdom registration.

Classification:

International classification of goods (as yet, there is no provision for services). A single application may cover more than one class.

Procedure:

The registrar of the Supreme Court manages the registration procedure.

Opposition:

No provision.

Use:

Should the basic U.K. registration be removed for non-use, the dependent St Helena registration will automatically be cancelled.

Duration and Renewal:

Duration and renewals are for the same periods as those provided by the United Kingdom Law, i.e. ten years.

Licensing/Registered Users:

Licensing is recognised. Recordation of the license agreement is required to be legally binding.

Requirements:

(a) Proof of recordal in the United Kingdom;
(b) Power of attorney from the proprietor;
(c) Power of attorney from the licensee.

Assignments:

Assignments are possible.

Requirements:

(a) Certified copy of UK registration certificate showing assignment or other proof of title;
(b) Power of attorney from the assignee;
(c) The original St Helena certificate of registration for endorsement.

Marking of Goods:

Notice of registration by use of the legend ‘Registered Trade Mark’ or suitable abbreviation (eg. ‘Regd. Tm.’) or symbol ® optional.

No known special requirements issued by St Helena and Ascension Islands authorities. Generally speaking British regulations in this matter will be followed.

Patents

General:

Patent protection in St Helena is obtainable only by confirmation of a United Kingdom patent and/or a granted EP (UK) patent within three years of the date of grant in the UK.

Filing Requirements:

Neither legalization nor notarisation of any document is required. A certified copy of the UK certificate of grant is needed.

Examination:

The application is subjected to formal examination only.

Duration/Maintenance:

The patent has the same duration as the granted UK patent and will remain in force while the UK patent is maintained.