New Trademark Laws in The Bahamas: What Applicants Need to Know About Supplemental Fees and Filing Requirements
Followers of our news and social media will be well aware that new trademark laws have landed in The Bahamas. As of May 21, 2025, sweeping changes to the country’s intellectual property framework are now in force, introducing updated procedures, modernized protections, and—most notably for brand owners—significant trademark fee increases.
Overview of the New Bahamian Trademark Regulations
The enabling regulations accompanying the new Trade Marks Act were finally released in July, several months after the Act itself took effect. These regulations set out the updated official fees for trademark filings, renewals, oppositions, and other registry actions. The increases are material, and in some cases substantial, as the government aligns local fees with modernized administrative processes and regional norms.
Because the regulations arrived after the Act had already become effective, there was a temporary period—approximately seven weeks—in which the exact fee increases were not yet known. Since many businesses rushed to file during the initial implementation window, one of the most common questions we’ve received is whether applications filed during that early period will be exempt from the new fees.
No Fee Amnesty for Applications Filed Between May 21 and July 2025
We have now received formal confirmation that all trademark applications filed on or after May 21, 2025 will ultimately be subject to the new fee schedule, including those filed before the July publication of the regulations.
In practical terms, this means:
There is no amnesty or transitional grace period.
Trademark applications filed between May 21 and July 2025 will owe supplemental fees.
The Intellectual Property Office of The Bahamas (BIPO) will issue additional payment requests in due course.
This clarification aligns with the government’s position that the effective date of the Act governs, regardless of when the regulations were released.
Our Recommendations Moving Forward
Efforts were made to warn all applicants filing during this interim period that additional fees would likely need to be paid, but we kindly remind our clients with pending Bahamian trademark applications filed on or after May 21, 2025 that additional invoices may follow in the coming months as the local IPO requests the additional payments.
To stay ahead of the process and avoid any interruption in the progress of your trademark matters, we recommend:
Budgeting for supplemental trademark fees for any application filed on or after May 21, 2025.
Ensuring that payment can be made promptly once the IPO issues the official request.
Reviewing your broader brand portfolio to confirm whether any upcoming filings or renewals may also be affected by the new regulations.
If you would like help reviewing your pending applications or planning future filings under the new law, our team is happy to assist. Please get in touch by clicking on the button directly below.