Press Release 14 of 2025 - Commission Observes 10th Anniversary of the BVI Trademarks Act

Commission Observes 10th Anniversary of the BVI Trademarks Act

Tortola, British Virgin Islands – 29 August 2025 – The BVI Financial Services Commission (“The Commission”) marks a significant milestone on 1 September as it celebrates the 10th anniversary of the implementation of the Trade Marks Act, 2013, and its accompanying Trade Marks Rules, 2015. The legislation, which came into full force on 1 September 2015, has been instrumental in modernising and enhancing the BVI's intellectual property framework.

The Trade Marks Act, 2013, was a landmark piece of legislation designed to align the BVI's trademark registration and protection system with international standards. The legislation ended over a century of outdated dual-filing procedures and established the Territory as a serious competitor in international intellectual property law alongside regional and global counterparts.

Registrar of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Myrna Herbert, commenting on the occasion, stated: “The past ten years have demonstrated the wisdom of modernising our trademark framework. We have successfully transitioned from an antiquated system to a world-class intellectual property regime that serves both local and international stakeholders.”

Managing Director/CEO of the Commission, Mr Kenneth Baker, stated: “This anniversary represents more than just legislative success. It demonstrates our commitment to providing world-class regulatory frameworks that support business innovation and protect intellectual property rights in an increasingly digital global economy. The BVI Trademarks Act, 2013, represented a significant step forward for the Territory's intellectual property regime. Its endurance is a testament to the Territory’s ongoing commitment to a robust framework that supports innovation and protects the assets of businesses and individuals operating in and from the BVI.”

Key Achievements Over the Past Decade

The Trade Marks Act, 2013, accompanied by the Trade Marks Rules, 2015, brought several revolutionary changes:

The implementation of the Act has had a transformative impact on the BVI's financial and business landscape by:

• Establishing a Single, Unified System: The new legislation introduced a streamlined, single-path system for trademark registration, eliminating the previous dual-filing process.
• Adopting International Standards: It brought the BVI into compliance with the Nice Agreement, allowing for the use of the international classification system for goods and services.
• Expanding the Scope of Protection: Extended coverage to include service marks, certification marks, collective marks, and non-traditional marks, including olfactory, sound, and 3D marks
• Protecting Well-Known Marks: It introduced provisions to protect well-known trademarks under the Paris Convention, even if they are not registered in the BVI
• Professional Standards: Established mandatory registration through approved Trade Marks Agents, ensuring consistency and legitimacy

A Decade of Progress

Over the past decade, the BVI's intellectual property regime has evolved in sophistication and efficiency. The Commission has worked diligently to ensure the smooth operation of the Act, reinforcing the Territory's commitment to being a respected and competitive jurisdiction for intellectual property rights.

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The BVI Financial Services Commission is the autonomous regulatory agency responsible for regulating and supervising financial services conducted in and from within the Territory.

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BVI Financial Services Commission
18 Pasea Estate Road, Tortola VG1110
British Virgin Islands
Tel: (284) 494-4190
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