If you're thinking about selling your product in Papua New Guinea (PNG), then you should consider intellectual property (IP) protection. Although PNG represents a small market in comparison to Australia, IP protection offers a number of benefits, including acting as a deterrent for would-be infringers.
IP laws in PNG are similar to legislation in countries like Australia and New Zealand. Some legislation, such as the Trade Marks Act 1978, was adopted directly from Australia.
The three main pieces of legislation involving IP in PNG are:
- Trade Marks Act 1978;
- Patents and Industrial Designs Act 2000; and
- Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act 2000.
The Intellectual Property Office of Papua New Guinea (IPOPNG) controls the registration of patents, trade marks and designs. Currently, all applications need to be filed at the IPOPNG office in Port Moresby. IPOPNG is in the process of establishing an electronic registry. When complete, the electronic registry will allow not only electronic filing, but also trade mark and patent searching.
Registration of Trade Marks
Duration
10 years | Renewable
Fees
The application fee to register a trade mark or series of trade marks for goods/services in a prescribed class is PGK250.00 (approximately AUD$105). For each additional class the prescribed fee is PGK200 (approximately AUD$85). Schedule 4 of the Trade Marks Regulations 1979 provides a complete list of the prescribed fees.
Summary
An application for registration of a trade mark must be made in the prescribed form (i.e. Form 4). Form 4 must be filed at the IPOPNG and the prescribed fee(s) must be paid at the time of submitting the application(s).
Registration of Patents
Duration
20 years | Non-renewable
Fees
The prescribed fee is PGK1000 (approximately AUD$420). If the application includes an amino acid sequence or a nucleotide sequence filed on a compact disc or by other electronic then the prescribed fee is PGK1500 (approximately AUD$575). Schedule 1 of the Patents and Industrial Designs Regulation 2002 provides a complete list of the prescribed fees.
Summary
The process starts by making an application for registration of Application for a Patent Lodgement and paying the prescribed fee(s). Annual fees are required to be paid for the duration of the patent.
Registration of Industrial design
Duration
5 years | Renewable for two further consecutive periods of 5 years
Fees
The prescribed fee for the application is PGK300 (approximately AUD$120). Schedule 1 of the Patents and Industrial Designs Regulation 2002 provides a complete list of the prescribed fees.
Summary
An application for registration of industrial design must be made in the prescribed form (i.e. Form 5). At the time of lodgement the prescribed fee must be paid. Renewal fees are required to be paid if being renewed.
Enforcement of IP rights
IP rights are private rights and are normally enforced by the IP owner against the infringer. The PNG courts have the power to make a range of orders including interim injunctions, provisional seizure orders or an award for compensatory damages.
In addition, the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulation (Ch.101) deals with the importation of goods that infringe upon IP rights. When PNG customs detects items that infringe upon IP rights, they are able to stop the clearance of the goods and detain them. The suspension and detention lasts up to 10 working days, during which time the IP owner is required to commence legal proceedings against the importer for breach of intellectual property rights. The IP owner is also required to request the court to impose a provisional seizure order for the goods to be further detained by customs.
How Rockwell Olivier can help you in PNG
Rockwell Olivier assists our clients by:
- conducting relevant IP searches;
- preparation and lodgement of any relevant application forms;
- following the application process to the end.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
