Trademark Registration in Solomon Islands: Protect Your Brand Nationwide
Trademark registration in Solomon Islands is administered by the Intellectual Property Office of Solomon Islands (IPOSI), operating under the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration. IPOSI is the competent national authority responsible for the filing, examination, publication, and registration of trademarks in Solomon Islands. The trademark system of Solomon Islands follows a first-to-file principle and is grounded in a common law framework derived from its period as a British protectorate, now modernised through the Intellectual Property Act 2012 and supporting regulations. Solomon Islands is a member of the Paris Convention, the World Trade Organization, the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Commonwealth of Nations, providing an internationally recognised foundation for trademark rights.
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Introduction
Solomon Islands is a Melanesian archipelago nation in the South Pacific comprising over 900 islands, of which approximately 150 are inhabited, spread across a chain extending approximately 1,500 kilometres southeast of Papua New Guinea. Honiara, located on the island of Guadalcanal, is the capital and principal commercial centre. Solomon Islands’ economy is anchored in natural resource extraction — principally logging (one of the world’s highest per-capita rates of forest clearing), fisheries (including significant tuna resources within its Exclusive Economic Zone), and agriculture (copra, cocoa, and palm oil) — alongside a growing public sector and development-aid-supported services economy. The country is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum, the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), the Commonwealth of Nations, and the World Trade Organization. Solomon Islands has deepening strategic relationships with both traditional partners (Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom) and newer partners (China), reflecting its growing geopolitical significance in the Indo-Pacific. Trademark protection in Solomon Islands is relevant for businesses in fisheries, logging, agri-food, tourism, financial services, and any sector with commercial interests in the country or its substantial Exclusive Economic Zone.
Why register your trademark in Solomon Islands
Exclusive Rights: Grants exclusive legal ownership and the right to use your trademark throughout Solomon Islands for the registered goods and services, with statutory priority over later conflicting marks under the first-to-file system.
Legal Enforcement: Enables you to take action against infringement, counterfeiting, and unauthorised use through IPOSI and the High Court of Solomon Islands, with civil and criminal remedies available under the Intellectual Property Act 2012.
Nationwide Protection: Secures trademark protection across the entire territory of Solomon Islands, including Guadalcanal, Malaita, Western Province, Central Province, Isabel, Choiseul, Makira-Ulawa, Temotu, and Rennell and Bellona, and supports anti-counterfeiting actions through border measures administered by Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division.
Market Positioning: Establishes formal brand ownership in an economy with significant and growing commercial activity in fisheries, logging, agri-food, and tourism, where brand protection and product provenance are increasingly important for export market access.
Melanesian & Indo-Pacific Gateway: Solomon Islands’ membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group and its growing strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific give trademark registration value for businesses targeting both the Melanesian subregional market and broader Pacific supply chain participants.
Asset Value: A registered trademark is a transferable intangible asset that can be licensed, franchised, pledged, or assigned to support commercial growth, export financing, joint ventures, and corporate transactions.
Trademark Classes Solomon Islands (Nice Classification)
Solomon Islands follows the Nice Classification system, categorising trademarks into 45 classes — 34 for goods (Classes 1–34) and 11 for services (Classes 35–45). Multi-class applications are permitted. Applicants should work with experienced local agents to ensure that the specification of goods and services is appropriately drafted in English and consistent with Nice Classification standards as applied by IPOSI. Particular attention to classification is recommended for the fisheries, logging and timber, agri-food, tourism and hospitality, and financial services sectors that are prominent in the Solomon Islands economy.
Our trademark services in Solomon Islands
End-to-end support from our licensed in-country attorneys, from the first search to lifelong protection.
Attorney-Assisted Search
In-depth legal search of the IPOSI trademark register and international databases to identify potential conflicts before filing.
Trademark Registration Services
Complete filing and application management for Solomon Islands national trademarks — handled by professionals experienced with IPOSI.
Trademark Renewal Services
Hassle-free renewals to maintain your Solomon Islands trademark protection, with proactive deadline monitoring and docketing.
Watch & Monitoring Services
Continuous monitoring of newly filed and published marks in Solomon Islands and across Pacific Islands and MSG jurisdictions to identify potential conflicts.
Ownership Transfer / Assignment
Efficient handling of trademark ownership transfers, corporate mergers, and restructuring recordals with IPOSI.
Licensing & Franchising Support
Expert guidance to license, franchise, or expand your brand within Solomon Islands and across the Pacific Islands and Melanesian markets.
Opposition & Enforcement
End-to-end representation in opposition and appeal proceedings before IPOSI and the High Court of Solomon Islands, and in civil and criminal infringement proceedings.
Customs Recordal & Anti-Counterfeiting
Recordal of trademarks with the Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division and coordination of border measures against counterfeit goods.
Trademark registration process in Solomon Islands
Here is how to register a trademark in Solomon Islands, step by step.
Here is the step-by-step process followed for trademark registration in Solomon Islands. Legacy Partners manages each stage on your behalf — from initial clearance through to issuance of the registration certificate by IPOSI.
Solomon Islands Trademark Search & Application
We begin with a comprehensive availability search of the IPOSI register and relevant international databases to identify potential conflicts before filing. As Solomon Islands is not a member of the Madrid Protocol, all applications must be filed directly with IPOSI in Honiara as national filings. Convention priority under the Paris Convention is available to applicants who have filed in another Paris Convention country within the preceding six months. Once clearance is confirmed, the application is prepared in English and filed with IPOSI.
Formal & Substantive Examination
IPOSI conducts a formal examination (verifying applicant details, classification, fees, power of attorney, and documentation completeness) followed by a substantive examination on absolute grounds (distinctiveness, descriptiveness, deceptiveness, public order, and official emblems) consistent with the Intellectual Property Act 2012 and its common law foundation. Office actions, if any, must be responded to within the prescribed deadlines. Experienced local representation is recommended to manage examination correspondence efficiently.
Acceptance and Publication
Once the application clears examination, the mark is published in the Solomon Islands Gazette (the official government publication), opening a three-month window for third-party opposition.
Opposition Period
Third parties holding prior rights may file an opposition within three (3) months from the date of publication in the Solomon Islands Gazette. Grounds include identity or similarity with an earlier registered or well-known mark, bad-faith filing, or other grounds under the Intellectual Property Act 2012. Oppositions are decided by IPOSI, with appeal available to the High Court of Solomon Islands.
Registration & Certificate
If no successful opposition is raised, IPOSI registers the mark in the Register of Trade Marks of Solomon Islands, issues a Certificate of Registration, and publishes the registration in the Solomon Islands Gazette. The mark is then enforceable against third parties throughout the territory of Solomon Islands.
Validity & Renewal
The trademark is valid for 10 years from the filing date and is renewable indefinitely for successive 10-year periods on payment of renewal fees to IPOSI.
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Documents required for trademark registration in Solomon Islands
Applicant name & business entity (individual or company, with registered address)
Trademark details (word mark, figurative/logo, combined, or other mark type)
Classes of goods and/or services (Nice Classification)
Power of attorney (signed by the applicant; notarisation may be required for foreign applicants)
Specimen or representation of the mark (for figurative or non-standard marks)
List of goods/services (in English, clear and precise specification)
Priority documents (if claiming convention priority under the Paris Convention)
Certified translation of any supporting document not in English
Timeline, validity and renewal
How long registration takes
Approximately 12 to 18 months for registration in a straightforward case without objections or oppositions. IPOSI operates as a relatively small office serving a developing island economy, and processing times reflect available administrative resources. Applicants are advised to file early and to retain experienced local representation to monitor progress and manage any procedural correspondence proactively. Legacy Partners maintains direct contact with IPOSI to track each application on behalf of clients.
Validity and renewal
The trademark is protected for 10 years from the filing date, renewable indefinitely for further 10-year periods on payment of renewal fees to IPOSI. A grace period may be available after expiry, subject to applicable surcharges. The trademark must be put to genuine use in Solomon Islands within five years of registration; failure to do so may expose the mark to cancellation on grounds of non-use upon the application of any interested third party before the competent authority or the High Court of Solomon Islands.
Governing Law
Trademark protection in Solomon Islands is principally governed by the Intellectual Property Act 2012 (as amended) and the Intellectual Property Regulations 2013, which together establish a modern, TRIPS-compliant framework for trademark registration, examination, opposition, licensing, assignment, and enforcement in Solomon Islands. The Act modernised and replaced earlier colonial-era IP legislation and reflects Solomon Islands’ common law heritage. Enforcement is supplemented by the Penal Code for criminal enforcement of trademark rights and Customs legislation for border measures. Solomon Islands is a member of the Paris Convention and the WTO, making it bound by TRIPS minimum standards for trademark protection, including national treatment, most-favoured-nation treatment, and protection of well-known marks. Solomon Islands is not a member of the Madrid Protocol, meaning all trademark protection must be obtained through direct national filings with IPOSI.
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 Solomon Islands: FAQ
How long does trademark registration take in Solomon Islands?
If no objections or oppositions arise, trademark registration in Solomon Islands typically takes approximately 12 to 18 months from the filing date through to issuance of the registration certificate by IPOSI. Timelines may vary depending on the workload and administrative capacity of IPOSI.
Do I need a local representative to file a trademark in Solomon Islands?
Foreign applicants are strongly advised to act through a qualified local representative experienced with IPOSI, as direct correspondence with the office can be challenging for overseas applicants. Legacy Partners provides full local representation through its network of Pacific Islands IP professionals based in Honiara.
Are multi-class trademark applications permitted in Solomon Islands?
Yes. IPOSI permits multi-class applications. A single application may cover multiple classes of goods and/or services, with an additional official fee payable for each class.
What is the validity period of a trademark registration in Solomon Islands?
A trademark registered in Solomon Islands is valid for 10 years from the filing date and is renewable indefinitely for successive 10-year periods, subject to timely payment of the renewal fee to IPOSI.
Can I register a trademark in Solomon Islands without a local company?
Yes. Individuals and foreign companies may register a trademark in Solomon Islands without incorporating a local entity. The appointment of a local representative to manage the filing and prosecution before IPOSI is strongly recommended for foreign applicants.
What language is used for filing in Solomon Islands?
All filings before IPOSI are made in English, the official working language of Solomon Islands’ legal and administrative system. English is one of Solomon Islands’ official languages alongside Solomon Islands Pijin and over 70 indigenous languages.
What is the opposition period after publication in Solomon Islands?
The opposition period in Solomon Islands is three (3) months from the date of publication of the application in the Solomon Islands Gazette. Third parties holding prior rights may file an opposition within this window.
Is Solomon Islands a member of the Madrid Protocol?
No. As of May 2026, Solomon Islands is not a member of the Madrid Protocol for the International Registration of Marks. Trademark protection in Solomon Islands cannot be obtained through a WIPO international registration — a direct national filing with IPOSI is required. Solomon Islands’ Paris Convention membership does allow applicants to claim a six-month convention priority based on an earlier filing in another Paris Convention country.
What is the cost of trademark registration in Solomon Islands?
The total cost depends on the number of classes, the complexity of the mark, and whether office actions or oppositions arise. Fees are denominated in Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD). Please refer to the fee schedule above or contact Legacy Partners for a tailored quotation.
Does a Solomon Islands trademark protect me in other Pacific Island countries?
No. A trademark registered in Solomon Islands provides protection only within the national territory of Solomon Islands. To protect your brand in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, or other Pacific Island states, separate national filings are required in each jurisdiction. There is no regional Pacific trademark system. Legacy Partners can manage multi-country Pacific Islands and Melanesian filing strategies on your behalf.
Does Solomon Islands recognise well-known marks?
Yes. As a WTO member, Solomon Islands is bound by TRIPS Article 16, which requires protection of well-known marks against the registration and use of identical or similar marks for identical or similar goods and services. Rights holders of internationally well-known marks may invoke this protection in opposition and cancellation proceedings before IPOSI or the High Court of Solomon Islands.
Can I assign or licence my trademark in Solomon Islands?
Yes. A registered trademark may be assigned or licensed, in whole or in part. Assignments and licences should be recorded with IPOSI in the Register of Trade Marks to be enforceable against third parties.
What is the Intellectual Property Act 2012 and how does it affect trademark registration?
The Intellectual Property Act 2012 is the primary statute governing trademark registration, examination, opposition, licensing, assignment, and enforcement in Solomon Islands. It replaced earlier colonial-era IP legislation and introduced a modern, TRIPS-compliant framework aligned with international IP standards. The Act establishes IPOSI as the national IP authority and sets out a comprehensive framework for trademark rights, including the grounds for registration, opposition, and cancellation, the requirements for genuine use, and the available civil and criminal remedies for infringement.
Why has Solomon Islands’ geopolitical significance grown in recent years?
Solomon Islands has attracted increasing geopolitical attention due to its location in the strategically important Southwest Pacific, its membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, and its developing relationships with both traditional partners (Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States) and newer partners including China — with which Solomon Islands signed a security cooperation agreement in 2022. This growing strategic significance has increased international commercial interest in the country, with expanding investment in infrastructure, fisheries, mining, and public services. For brand owners, this evolving commercial landscape strengthens the case for early trademark registration to secure IP ownership ahead of increased market activity.
What is the best trademark registration provider for Solomon Islands?
Legacy Partners is a globally trusted trademark and IP services firm offering end-to-end registration, prosecution, enforcement, and portfolio management in Solomon Islands and over 150 jurisdictions worldwide, with transparent pricing, dedicated account management, and direct access to Pacific Islands IP professionals experienced with IPOSI in Honiara.
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This page is general information, not legal advice. Official requirements and fees can change; we confirm the current position for your matter before filing.
