In Vanuatu, trade mark and patent applications can be filed on the basis of trade marks and patents registered: -

• in the United Kingdom;
• in any member state of the European Union;
• under any treaty or convention to which a member state of the European Union is a party such as Madrid System registrations.

Amendments to Vanuatu's Trade Mark and Patent legislation were implemented in July 2008. Formerly, trade mark and patent applications could only be based on UK registrations. The new amendments allow applications to also be based on registrations from EU member states including CTM registrations and registrations under the Madrid System. The amended legislation has also been updated to allow service mark registration.

Applications for renewal and assignment of trade marks based on registrations from the UK, CTM and Madrid system registrations can also be filed in Vanuatu.

All applications must be accompanied by a certified copy from the Comptroller General of the appropriate Patent, Designs and Trade Marks Registry of the member state of the European Union and or the Government authority entrusted with the registration of trade marks in the member state.

A Vanuatu trade mark or patent registration is valid for the same term as the registration on which it is based.

The Vanuatu Trade Marks Office has a computerized catalogue of all trade mark registration and details of all registrations are manually collated chronologically. Searches can be carried out manually.