Updated: Oct 5, 2023
By Leonard Chite and Sandy Nyunt
Intellectual property laws have existed in the Pacific Islands region for a number of years. However, they are subject to a variety of different local regimes. On this basis, original works and trademarks have traditionally been left inadequately protected. In this article, we have provided an overview of trademark law in Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Tonga. We have also provided information in respect of how trademarks are registered in each of the jurisdictions to ensure that trademarks belonging to local businesses are adequately protected.
What are trademarks and how are they registered across the Pacific?
A trademark is a form of intellectual property consisting of a symbol, design, or expression that is used, or intended to be used, to distinguish goods or services from others. There are considerable distinctions in the approaches to trademark registration across the Pacific. We have provided a summary of trademark protection in the different jurisdictions below.