PHILIPSBURG--Bureau for Intellectual Property St. Maarten (BIP SXM) opened for business online on Thursday. Individuals and businesses in St. Maarten and neighbouring islands, as well as any other trademark applicant in the world can now register their national and international trademarks via the Bureau’s online registration system at www.bip.sx.
BIP SXM is the country’s official body responsible for the execution of the Trademark Ordinance and delegated laws as well as providing information about other areas of intellectual property to the public, such as patents and copyright. The Bureau has the legal status of an independent governing body and falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication.
As of October 1, Bureau for Intellectual Property of Curaçao is no longer the competent authority for registering St. Maarten trademarks and will not handle/process any requests received on or after that date. The two Bureaus are working together for the smooth transition of the trademark registers.
The Bureau will work in close cooperation with the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property, which has provided St. Maarten with an online trademark registration system. This system will make the procedure for trademark registration easier, faster and more transparent.
BIP SXM is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). International trademark registrations are requested via WIPO.
The Supervisory Board of the Bureau consists of Melinda Hoeve (chairperson), G. Vlaun (vice-chairperson) and A. Bell (secretary).
Vincentia Rosen-Sandiford serves as Bureau Director. She has been the acting director since December 1, 2014, and was officially appointed by national decree as director as of October 1.
Intellectual Property Bureau opened for online registrations
