Your brand is one of your most valuable business assets. Registering it as a trademark in Jamaica gives you exclusive legal rights to use it and the ability to take action against anyone who copies or misuses it. This guide walks you through the trademark registration process with the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO) in 2025.
What Can Be Trademarked in Jamaica?
You can register trademarks for words and brand names (including your company name or product name), logos and design marks, slogans and taglines, and combinations of words and design. To be registrable, a trademark must be distinctive — it cannot be purely descriptive of the goods or services it relates to.
Why Register a Trademark?
- Exclusive rights: Only you can legally use the mark in Jamaica for the goods/services you registered it for
- Legal protection: You can take legal action against infringers
- Business asset: A registered trademark can be licensed, sold, or used as collateral
- Brand confidence: Customers can trust the ® symbol as a sign of an established brand
- Customs protection: You can record your trademark with Customs to stop counterfeit goods at the border
The JIPO Trademark Registration Process
Conduct a trademark search
Before applying, search the JIPO trademark database to ensure your proposed mark is not already registered. JIPO's online search is available at jipo.gov.jm. This step is critical — if a similar mark already exists, your application will be rejected.
Identify your Nice Classification
Trademarks are registered in specific "classes" under the Nice International Classification system. You must identify which class(es) your goods or services fall under. There are 45 classes in total. You pay a separate fee per class.
Complete TM Form 1
Download and complete JIPO's Application to Register a Trade Mark — TM Form 1. This requires: applicant name and address, representation of the trademark (the logo or word), list of goods/services, and the class number(s).
Submit to JIPO with payment
Submit your application at JIPO's offices at 18 Trafalgar Road, Kingston, or by mail. Pay the application fee. JIPO also has an online portal for some application types.
Examination
JIPO examines your application for any grounds of objection — including similarity to existing marks or non-distinctive nature. This typically takes 3–6 months.
Publication in the Jamaica Gazette
If accepted, your trademark is published in the Jamaica Intellectual Property Journal for 2 months. During this period, third parties can oppose your registration.
Registration certificate issued
If no opposition is filed (or any opposition is resolved in your favour), your trademark is registered and you receive a Certificate of Registration. The entire process typically takes 12–18 months.
Trademark Fees (2025)
| Stage | Fee (JMD approx.) |
|---|---|
| Application fee (per class) | $5,000–$8,000 |
| Registration fee (per class) | $5,000–$8,000 |
| 10-year renewal fee (per class) | $5,000–$8,000 |
A registered trademark in Jamaica lasts 10 years from the registration date and can be renewed indefinitely for further 10-year periods.
Protecting Your Trademark Internationally
A Jamaican trademark registration only protects your mark in Jamaica. If you operate in Canada, the UK, or the US, you should also register your trademark in those countries. Jamaica is a member of the Madrid Protocol, which allows you to apply for international trademark protection in multiple countries through a single application — known as the Madrid System. This can significantly reduce the cost and complexity of protecting your brand globally.
⚠️ Common mistake: Many business owners assume that registering a company name at COJ automatically protects their brand as a trademark. It does not. Company registration and trademark registration are entirely separate processes at different government offices.
Let The Attaché Handle Your Trademark Registration
The Attaché team manages the entire process on your behalf — document preparation, submission, follow-up, and delivery. No queues, no confusion.
Trademark Registration from US$200. Available on iOS.
Sources: Relevant Jamaican government agencies and official sources. Last verified April 2026.