Trademark Registration in Bermuda
Trademark registration in Bermuda gives you the exclusive right to use your brand on the island. Applications are filed with the Registry General of Bermuda under the modern Trade Marks Act 2023, in force since 1 August 2025. Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory with its own trademark register, so a UK, EU or US registration does not cover it. Our trademark consultants handle search, filing and follow-up for insurers, financial groups, hospitality brands and retailers in Hamilton and abroad.
On this page
Bermuda trademark registration at a glance
- IP office
- Registry General of Bermuda, Ministry of Economy and Labour, Hamilton
- Law
- Trade Marks Act 2023, in force 1 August 2025 (replaced the Trade Marks Act 1974)
- System
- Registration-based; unregistered marks rely on passing off
- Classification
- Nice Classification, edition applied
- Multi-class filing
- Yes, since the 2023 Act
- Madrid Protocol
- Not yet extended to Bermuda; national filing only
- Language
- English
- Opposition period
- 2 months from advertisement in the Official Gazette
- Typical timeline
- 8–12 months from filing to registration
- Validity
- 10 years from the filing date, renewable for 10-year periods
- Official fees
- USD 269 for the first class; USD 139 per additional class
- Power of attorney
- Simply signed Authorisation of Agent (Form TM-13); no notarisation or legalisation; scan accepted
* Timelines assume no objections or oppositions. Laws change, so contact us to confirm current requirements.
Trademark Registration in Bermuda
A separate register from the UK Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory, but UK and EU registrations do not extend to it. Only a Bermuda registration protects your brand on the island. The Trade Marks Act 2023, in force since August 2025, makes filing simpler with multi-class applications and 10-year terms.
A global insurance and finance centre Reinsurers, insurers, fund managers and corporate groups are headquartered or incorporated in Bermuda. Their names and brands are valuable and frequently imitated.
Tourism and premium retail Hotels, restaurants, rum and lifestyle brands compete for high-spending visitors.
Registration makes enforcement practical A registered mark lets you sue for infringement without first proving reputation in a passing-off claim.
Why register your trademark in Bermuda
A separate register from the UK
Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory, but UK and EU registrations do not extend to it. Only a Bermuda registration protects your brand on the island. The Trade Marks Act 2023, in force since August 2025, makes filing simpler with multi-class applications and 10-year terms.
A global insurance and finance centre
Reinsurers, insurers, fund managers and corporate groups are headquartered or incorporated in Bermuda. Their names and brands are valuable and frequently imitated.
Tourism and premium retail
Hotels, restaurants, rum and lifestyle brands compete for high-spending visitors.
Registration makes enforcement practical
A registered mark lets you sue for infringement without first proving reputation in a passing-off claim.
Our trademark services in Bermuda
End-to-end support from our licensed in-country attorneys, from the first search to lifelong protection.
Trademark search
clearance search of the Bermuda register before you file.
Trademark registration
replies to objections raised by the Registry General.
Opposition
filing or defending oppositions after publication.
Renewal and recordals
monitoring of the Official Gazette for conflicting marks.
Trademark watch
monitoring of the Official Gazette for conflicting marks.
Why choose Legacy Partners Global as your trademark consultants in Bermuda
- Local agent in Bermuda: filings go through a Bermuda agent with a local address for service.
- Specifications drafted by lawyers: precise wording protects the scope you need in a common-law jurisdiction.
- Up to date on the 2023 Act: we file under the new rules and advise on existing registrations from the 1974 Act.
- Caribbean and Atlantic planning: we coordinate Bermuda with the UK, the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and the US.
- One point of contact: our Dubai office manages your Bermuda filing with your other markets.
A qualified attorney reviews every enquiry within one working day.
Trademark registration process in Bermuda
Here is how to register a trademark in Bermuda, step by step.
Search and classify (1–3 days)
We search the Bermuda register for identical and similar marks. We map your goods and services to the correct Nice classes; one application can cover several.
File with the Registry General (same day)
We file the application with the mark image, specification and a scan of Form TM-13. You receive a filing number and date.
Examination (2–4 months)
The Registry checks formalities, distinctiveness and conflicts with earlier marks, then accepts the mark or raises objections.
Reply to objections, if any
If the Registry objects, we reply with arguments, an amended specification or a request for a hearing.
Publication and opposition (2 months)
Accepted marks are advertised in the Official Gazette. Third parties may oppose within 2 months.
Registration and certificate (8–12 months from filing)
With no opposition, the mark is registered and the certificate issued. There is no separate registration fee. Protection runs for 10 years from the filing date.
Start your application in a few minutes. Nothing is filed until you approve the written quote.
Documents required for trademark registration in Bermuda
Authorisation of Agent (Form TM-13), simply signed by the applicant; a scan is enough
Applicant’s full name, address, nationality and legal form
Clear image of the mark in JPG format (for logos)
List of goods or services
Priority document, if you claim Paris Convention priority within 6 months of a first filing abroad if available in Bermuda
Power of attorney requirements for foreign applicants in Bermuda
Foreign applicants in Bermuda need only a simply signed Authorisation of Agent on Form TM-13. No notarisation, apostille or consular legalisation is required, and a scanned copy is accepted at filing. Applicants based outside Bermuda must give an address for service in Bermuda, which our local agent provides. We send a ready-to-sign Form TM-13 the same day you instruct us.
Trademark registration fees in Bermuda
The Registry General’s official fees for trademark registration in Bermuda are paid at filing. Under the Trade Marks Act 2023 there is no separate registration fee later in the process, and one application can cover several classes. The Bermuda dollar is pegged 1:1 to the US dollar.
| Official fee | BMD | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee, first class | 269 | 269 |
| Filing fee, each additional class | 139 | 139 |
| Total official fees to registration (1 class) | 269 | 269 |
| Renewal fee (every 10 years, base) | 395 | 395 |
Fees last checked: 16 October 2026. BMD 1 = USD 1. Contact us for a fixed written quote for your filing.
Timeline, validity and renewal
How long registration takes
A straightforward application takes 8–12 months from filing to registration, though objections or oppositions may extend the timeline. Once registered, your rights date back to the filing date.
Validity and renewal
Registration is valid for 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed indefinitely for further 10-year periods, either before expiry or during the grace period afterward with a late fee.
Trademark law and IP office in Bermuda
Trademarks in Bermuda are governed by the Trade Marks Act 2023, which came into force on 1 August 2025 and replaced the Trade Marks Act 1974. The Registry General of Bermuda, under the Ministry of Economy and Labour, examines and registers marks. Accepted marks are advertised in the Official Gazette. The Act includes provisions for the Madrid Protocol, but the UK has not yet extended its Madrid membership to Bermuda. Unregistered marks can be protected through a passing-off action. Disputes go to the Supreme Court of Bermuda.
National filing vs Madrid Protocol in Bermuda
Bermuda has its own trademark register. The Madrid Protocol has not been extended to Bermuda, so national filing is the only route.
National filing
- File directly with Registry General of Bermuda
- Multi-class applications allowed since August 2025
- Form TM-13 simply signed, scan accepted
- BMD 269 first class + BMD 139 each additional
Madrid Protocol
- UK has not extended Madrid membership to Bermuda
- National filing is the only route
- Act includes Madrid provisions for future extension
Use requirements and non-use cancellation
You do not need to use a mark before filing in Bermuda. After registration, an interested party can seek removal of a mark not used for a continuous period of five years without good reason. Keep dated invoices, packaging, advertising and online listings that show the mark in use in Bermuda.
Opposition, objections and appeals
Registry objections
If the Registry General raises an objection, you reply in writing or ask for a hearing within x months.
Opposition
Any person can oppose an advertised mark within 2 months of publication in the Official Gazette. The applicant files a counter-statement, both sides file evidence, and the Registry decides.
Appeals
Decisions of the Registry can be appealed to the Supreme Court of Bermuda within x days.
Trademark enforcement and infringement in Bermuda
A registered trademark gives you the legal standing to stop copycats in Bermuda. Without registration, you must rely on a passing-off claim and prove your goodwill first.
What counts as infringement
Using an identical or confusingly similar mark for goods covered by the registration, selling counterfeit goods, or importing goods bearing your mark without consent.
Your enforcement options
- Cease-and-desist letter: often enough to stop a local infringer.
- Civil action: claim an injunction, damages or an account of profits, and delivery up of goods before the Supreme Court of Bermuda.
- Customs measures: ask the Bermuda Customs Department to detain suspected counterfeit imports.
- Online takedowns: remove infringing listings on marketplaces and social media.
- Company and domain names: challenge confusing company names and .bm domains.
Defending your registration
Watch the Official Gazette and oppose conflicting marks within the 2-month window.
How Legacy Partners Global helps
Our trademark consultants in Bermuda handle evidence gathering, cease-and-desist letters, oppositions and coordination with local litigation counsel.
What to know before filing in Bermuda
File before launching a branch, hotel or retail outlet on the island
UK and EU marks do not cover Bermuda — file separately
Use one multi-class application to save on fees (since August 2025)
Review older registrations under the 1974 Act
Keep dated invoices, packaging and advertising showing use in Bermuda
Client stories
Businesses that trust us with their brands across borders.
We had an excellent experience working with Legacy Partners for trademark registration and brand protection services in India. Their expert team guided us throughout the filing process, ensuring accurate documentation, timely updates, and seamless support. Their professionalism and intellectual property expertise gave us confidence in protecting our brand identity while supporting our expansion into new markets.
We had a seamless experience working with Legacy Partners for trademark registration services in Bahrain. Their professional team provided excellent support throughout the trademark filing process, ensuring timely updates, accurate documentation, and smooth coordination. Their expertise in intellectual property and brand protection services helped us secure our brand identity with confidence.
* Client stories are shared with permission.
Trademark registration in Bermuda: FAQ
How long does trademark registration take in Bermuda?
About 8–12 months from filing to registration if there is no objection or opposition.
How much does trademark registration cost in Bermuda?
The official filing fee is USD 269 for the first class and USD 139 for each additional class, with no separate registration fee. Contact us for a fixed written quote.
How long is a Bermuda trademark valid?
10 years from the filing date, renewable for further 10-year periods without limit.
Can I file one application for several classes?
Yes. Multi-class applications have been allowed since the Trade Marks Act 2023 came into force on 1 August 2025.
Do I need a local trademark agent or consultant in Bermuda?
Yes. Applicants based outside Bermuda need a local address for service, so in practice they file through a Bermuda agent.
How do I choose a trademark consultant in Bermuda?
Check that they work with a Bermuda agent, know the 2023 Act, handle oppositions, and quote official and professional fees separately.
Is a UK or EU trademark valid in Bermuda?
No. Bermuda keeps its own register. You must register in Bermuda.
What can I do if someone copies my trademark in Bermuda?
Send a cease-and-desist letter or sue in the Supreme Court for an injunction and damages. Customs measures and online takedowns stop counterfeits.
Does Bermuda follow first-to-file?
Registration generally goes to the first applicant, but an earlier user may still claim passing off. File early to avoid disputes.
Do I need to use my trademark before filing?
No. But a mark unused for five years after registration can be removed.
Do I need to register my trademark in English?
The application is filed in English. The mark itself can be in any language.
Trademark registration in nearby countries
Register your trademark in Bermuda today
Speak to our trademark consultants in Bermuda. Send your mark and we will reply with a free search and a fixed written quote within one working day.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Official requirements and fees can change; we confirm the current position for your matter before filing.
