Intellectual Property Office

Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) was established on 1 December 1997 under Section 3 of the Patents Act, 1996. The Office is located on the 3rd Floor, Capital Plaza, 11–13 Frederick Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad. Operating as a department within the Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs, the Intellectual Property Office is the national authority responsible for the administration and registration of intellectual property rights in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Office plays an important role in supporting innovation, creativity and economic development by protecting the rights of inventors, creators and businesses.

What We Do

The primary statutory function of the Intellectual Property Office is the granting and administration of intellectual property rights, particularly in the area of industrial property, including patents, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications.

In carrying out its mandate, the IPO is responsible for:

Promoting innovation and inventiveness among the people of Trinidad and Tobago
Providing patent and intellectual property information services to the public
Determining opposition hearings relating to trademarks and geographical indications
Receiving and processing international patent applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Advising the Government on intellectual property matters, including negotiations related to trade agreements
Raising public awareness about intellectual property through outreach initiatives, including programmes for schools and institutions of higher learning
Participating in the development of international treaties and instruments relating to intellectual property and emerging areas of innovation

Copyright and Related Rights

Under the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, to which Trinidad and Tobago has been a party since 1988, copyright protection does not require formal registration.

As a result, the Intellectual Property Office does not have statutory responsibility for the registration of copyright and related rights. However, the Minister with responsibility for intellectual property may assign certain functions to the Office in relation to copyright matters, and the IPO has supported these responsibilities over the years.

Our Mission

To nurture an Intellectual Property-Savvy society, moving towards achieving global competitiveness by fostering a knowledge-based economy in Trinidad and Tobago.

Our Vision

To be the lead organization that stimulates creativity and innovation throughout Trinidad and Tobago, promoting appropriate mechanisms for the strategic use of the intellectual property system.

For more information about the services provided by the Intellectual Property Office, please visit: www.ipo.gov.tt