You acquire common law ownership rights to a mark simply by using the mark in commerce in connection
with the relevant goods or services. You do not have to register your mark to acquire common law rights to
it.

Registration of your trademark gives you the legal presumption of your ownership of the trademark and the presumption that you are the first user of the mark. It gives you the exclusive right to use the mark nationwide in connection with the goods listed in the registration. After registration the Trademark Bureau will not accept/register other trademarks that are similar or look similar to the mark. After registration the proof of who the first user is lies on the registrant’s opponent who claims to have the exclusive right to use the mark. If of course, first use is proven by the opponent in Court the presumption can be rebutted.

(1) An original POA
(2) Classification and specification of the goods
(3) Twenty (20) Prints in case of a device (max.5 by 5 cm.) In the event of a colored device original
prints should be forwarded to us by airmail.

(1) must be original and signed in blue ink by the applicant
(2) must have full name, address & nationality of the applicant
(3) must bear the corporate stamp or seal.
(4) requires legalization if there is no stamp or seal available. The Haque Apostille will do.

(1) An original POA
(2) copy of the registration certificate (not mandatory)
(3) Twenty (20) Prints in case of a device (max.5 by 5 cm.) In the event of a colored device original
prints should be forwarded to us by airmail.

Note with respect to renewals: the address indicated on the executed POA should be the exact same as the address registered at The Bureau of IP in Suriname.

Results can be forwarded within two to three working days, unless you request an expedite search. Please
bear in mind that searches are performed manually since the public registries of the Trademark Office are
not computerized.

(1) An original POA signed the Assignee.
(2) A duly certified and notarized deed of the assignment signed by the assignor and the assignee
(3) Twenty (20) Prints in case of a device (max.5 by 5 cm.) In the event of a colored device original
prints should be forwarded to us by airmail.

Mergers can no longer be recorded. Mergers are now recorded as a “Change of Name” or as an
“assignment”.

(1) An original POA signed in the new name.
(2) A certified and legalized deed of The Change of Name
(3) Twenty (20) Prints in case of a device (max.5 by 5 cm.) In the event of a colored device original
prints should be forwarded to us by airmail.

(1) An original POA with the new address.
(2) A certified and legalized deed of The Change of Address.
(3) Twenty (20) Prints in case of a device (max. 5 by 5 cm.) In the event of a colored device original
prints should be forwarded to us by airmail.

It is not possible to file both in one application. Each Change requires a different application

If your slogan is distinctive and serves to identify the source of your goods or services, then you might be
able to register it as a trademark.

Yes, colors can be claimed. Colors need to be specified.

A registration is valid for ten years from date of registration.

A renewal is valid for ten years from date of renewal.

Yes, The Bureau of IP allows a grace period of ten years from date of expiration

Suriname adopts the 10th edition of the Nice Classification system.

Yes, multi-class filings are accepted.

Not mandatory, but advisable. If the trademark application is rejected the applicant will have lost valuable time of four to six years.

Registration procedure may vary between two to three years or even may take a little longer from date of application. The Trademark Office in Suriname is regularly in reorganization which has it effect on the registration procedure.

Although Suriname is party to the Paris Agreement, The Bureau of IP stopped handling service mark
applications in May 1997. Depending on the type of services we may advise registration in another class in order to obtain protection for client services.

(1) An original signed POA in the name of the applicant
(2) copy of the priority document
(3) twenty prints with size max. 5 by 7 cm. in case of a device

Yes, that is possible

We can proceed as soon as we have the basic information and are provided with the POA.

Normally, that is not possible, but in the case of infringement cases The Trademark Office tends to
cooperate.

No, natural persons can register their trademark as well.

No. Owners of registered marks are responsible for enforcing their rights to the marks. The Trademark Office is not authorized nor equipped to enforce your intellectual property rights. A private attorney can assist you in determining and enforcing your rights.