Grenada Patent Guide

Registration
A patent can be registered in Grenada pursuant to the Patents Act, (No. 16 of 2011) and Registration of United Kingdom Patents, (Cap. 283) which provide for both local patent applications and applications to extend rights under a UK registration within three years from the date of registration in the UK.

For a local application the following information and documentation is required:

1. a request for the grant of the patent
2. a description of the invention
3. one or more claims and any drawings referred to in the description or any claim
4. an abstract
5. Authorisation of Agent (bearing the Company Seal of the Applicant or notarised)
6. certified copy of priority document (if priority is claimed)
7. PCT application if required

For a UK-based application the following information and documentation is required:

1. an application for registration of UK patent
2. any drawings
3. certified copy of the UK extract
4. Certificate of Comptroller-General of the Intellectual Property Office of the UK (UK IPO)
5. Authorisation of Agent (bearing the Company Seal of the Applicant or notarised)

It usually takes 12-18 months or less for the Registrar’s Office at the Supreme Court Registry to process an application for registration. Paris Convention priority can be claimed. Once the registration is complete the Registrar’s Office will issue Letters Patent.

Patent Cooperation Treaty
Grenada is signatory to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and accordingly national phase filing of a PCT patent is possible. This is encouraged if you are seeking coverage in another domicile. A PCT application can simplify the process of seeking a patent in countries that are party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty.

Searches
Whilst there is no requirement to conduct a search in Grenada prior to the filing of an application for registration a search is recommended to ascertain that there will be no discrepancies concerning the innovativeness of the patent. The result can usually be provided within two working days.

Expiry
A local patent registration is valid for 20 years. Once the registration has expired it cannot be renewed. . A UK-based patent registration is valid for the same period as specified on the underlying UK registration on which it is based.

Abandonment
Please inform us as soon as possible if you wish to abandon your patent or allow it to lapse so that we can update our records and advise the Registrar’s Office accordingly. This will avoid us sending out unnecessary Reminder Notices.

Assignment
Please inform us as soon as possible if the patent has been assigned so that we can file an application to record the assignment in Grenada (and the UK if necessary).

To record the assignment of a local patent registration the only documentation required is either the original Deed of Assignment or a certified copy (notarised) and an Authorisation of Agent (bearing the Company Seal of the Applicant or notarised).

To record the assignment of a UK-based patent registration the only documentation required is a certified copy of the UK extract showing the assignment and an Authorisation of Agent (bearing the Company Seal of the Applicant or notarised).

It usually takes four months or less for the Registrar’s Office to process an application to record an assignment. Once the recording is complete the Registrar’s Office will issue a Certificate of Assignment.

Change of Particulars
Please inform us as soon as possible if there is any change to the registration so that we can file an application to record the change in Grenada (and the UK if necessary).

To record a change of name and/or address for a local patent registration the only documentation required is either the original document evidencing the change or a certified copy (notarised) and an Authorisation of Agent (bearing the Company Seal of the Applicant or notarised).

To record a change of name and/or address for a UK-based patent registration the only documentation required is a certified copy of the UK extract showing the change and an Authorisation of Agent (bearing the Company Seal of the Applicant or notarised).

It usually takes four months or less for the Registrar’s Office to process an application to record a Change of Particulars. Once the recording is complete the Registrar’s Office will issue a Certificate of Change of Name and/or Address.