Intellectual Property Office

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.

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