The short answer
Under the Belize Trade Marks Act (Chapter 257, Revised Edition 2020) a mark is registered for 10 years from the date of registration and renewed for further periods of 10 years. A late renewal period of at least six months is set by the Rules, with an additional fee. A mark can be revoked if it is not genuinely used for 5 years after registration.
Trademark deadlines in Belize at a glance
These rules come from the Trade Marks Act (Chapter 257, Act No. 17 of 2000, Revised Edition 2020) in the English text on WIPO Lex. The time for opposition and the late renewal period are set in the Rules and administrative instructions, so we confirm them before we file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long does a trademark last? | 10 years from the date of registration, renewable for further periods of 10 years (Section 20). |
| Which date does the term count from? | The date of registration (Section 20). A renewal takes effect from the expiry of the previous registration (Section 21). |
| When can I renew? | The proprietor requests renewal and pays the renewal fee before the registration expires (Section 21). |
| Is there a grace period? | Yes. If renewal is missed, the request can be made and the fee paid within a further period set by the Rules, which must be not less than six months, with an additional renewal fee. If it is still not renewed, the Registrar removes the mark, though the Rules can allow restoration (Section 21). |
| Opposition period | Any person can give notice of opposition to the Registrar within the prescribed time from the date of publication of the application. The time limit is set by the Rules, so we confirm it (publication and opposition provisions). |
| Reply to an office action | The Registrar examines the application and tells the applicant of any objection. The applicant can reply or ask to be heard. |
| Priority claim | Priority is available from an earlier application in a Convention country, and the priority date is the date of that earlier application. |
| Non-use | A registration can be revoked if, within the five years after registration was completed, the mark was not put to genuine use in Belize by the owner or with consent, without proper reasons for non-use, or if use was suspended for an uninterrupted period of five years (Section 46). |
| Assignment | A registered mark is transmissible by assignment in whole or part. An assignment must be in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor, and should be registered (Section 31). |
Who can register a trademark in Belize
Any person who uses or intends to use a trade mark can apply to the Registrar. The Act also provides for collective and certification marks.
Representation. An agent who files for you should be resident in Belize and practising there. We act through such an agent.
Trademark registration process in Belize
Search
- Search the the Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO) records for identical or similar marks in your classes.
File the application
- File with the the Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO), through your Belizean agent.
- Claim priority at filing if you filed abroad recently.
Examination
- The office examines the application and tells you in writing if there is a problem. We reply within the time set in the notice.
Publication and opposition
- An accepted application is published.
- After acceptance the application is published in the register and the Journal, and any person can oppose within the time set by the Rules.
Registration
- If there is no opposition, or it fails, the mark is registered and a certificate is issued.
Official fees are set by the the Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO) and change. We confirm the current fee for your classes before we quote, so the figure you see is the one that applies on the day.
Belize trademark validity and renewal
- A registration lasts 10 years from the date of registration.
- Renew before expiry, or within the late period of at least 6 months with an extra fee.
- Unrenewed marks are removed from the register.
- Use the mark in Belize to avoid revocation after 5 years of non-use.
Diarise the expiry from the date of registration and renew before it.
Assignment, licence and changes to a Belizean trademark
Assignment
In writing
An assignment must be in writing and signed by or for the assignor (Section 31).
Licence
Recordable
Licences can be registered, and the licensee has set rights and remedies.
Renewal
Same goods
Renewal takes effect from expiry of the previous registration (Section 21).
Restoration
By the Rules
Removed marks can be restored under conditions in the Rules (Section 21).
Non-use and cancellation of a Belizean trademark
A registration can be revoked for non-use following five years after registration, if the mark became a common name through the owner's acts, or if its use misleads the public (Section 46).
Keep dated proof of use in Belize: invoices, packaging, advertising and website pages that show the mark with the goods or services.
How to check a trademark in Belize
Search the Belize register and Journal for the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Sources used
- Trade Marks Act (Chapter 257, Act No. 17 of 2000, Revised Edition 2020), Belize, English text on WIPO Lex: Sections 20, 21, 31 and 46 and the opposition provisions.
- BELIPO for the Rules, administrative instructions, fees and forms.
Belize trademark FAQ
How long does a trademark last in Belize, and from when?
10 years from the date of registration, renewable for further periods of 10 years (Section 20). It counts from the date of registration (Section 20).
When should I renew a Belizean trademark, and is there a grace period?
The proprietor requests renewal and pays the renewal fee before the registration expires (Section 21).
What is the opposition period in Belize?
Any person can give notice of opposition to the Registrar within the prescribed time from the date of publication of the application. The time limit is set by the Rules, so we confirm it (publication and opposition provisions).
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Belize?
The official fee is set by the the Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO) and changes. We confirm the current fee for your classes and quote the full cost before filing.
Can a foreign company register a trademark in Belize?
Yes. A foreign company can register a mark in Belize, normally through a local agent. We arrange this.
Can I assign a Belizean trademark?
A registered mark is transmissible by assignment in whole or part. An assignment must be in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor, and should be registered (Section 31).
Can a Belizean trademark be cancelled for non-use?
A registration can be revoked if, within the five years after registration was completed, the mark was not put to genuine use in Belize by the owner or with consent, without proper reasons for non-use, or if use was suspended for an uninterrupted period of five years (Section 46).
How can I check the status of a Belizean trademark?
Use the the Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO) register and check the publication, registration and renewal dates.
Can I claim priority from my home country?
Priority is available from an earlier application in a Convention country, and the priority date is the date of that earlier application.
How do I change the owner's name or address?
Record the change with the the Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO) so notices and renewal reminders reach the right address. Ask us for the current form.
Protect your brand in Belize
SUPREMEiP® files trademarks worldwide through its network and checks every Belizean deadline against the law. Send us your mark and we will tell you the route, the deadlines and the cost.
