Trade Marks Amendment Act 2025

What this bill does

This bill updates Bermuda's Trade Marks Act 2023 to clarify how trademark ownership can be transferred and sets new government fees for trademark services. It also updates rules to align with international trademark agreements like the Madrid Protocol.

If passed (voted YES)

• Business owners will have clearer rules for transferring trademarks when they sell their business, merge with another company, or pass away
• New government fees will apply for trademark registration, renewal, and other services (ranging from $20 to $395 depending on the service)
• Bermuda's trademark system will better align with international standards, making it easier for local businesses to protect their brands overseas

If rejected (voted NO)

• Current trademark transfer rules remain unclear, potentially creating confusion for businesses trying to transfer ownership
• Existing government fees for trademark services stay in place under the old 1993 regulations
• Bermuda's trademark system continues operating under current rules without international alignment improvements

Who it affects

This primarily affects business owners who have trademarks or want to register new ones, lawyers who handle trademark matters, and the government registry office that processes these applications. Anyone planning to buy, sell, or inherit a business with trademarks will also be impacted by the clearer transfer rules.