An Overview of Trademark Registration in Bahamas

Do you want to secure exclusive rights to your brand in the Bahamas? If yes, obtaining a Trademark Registration in Bahamas is essential. To register your mark, an application must be filed with the Intellectual Property Section of the Registrar General’s Department (RGD).

The process of trademark registration in Bahamas includes pre-registration requirements, examination, and an opposition period, after which the Registrar issues the Trademark Registration Certificate upon approval. Now is an ideal time for brand owners to apply, as the Bahamas Trade Marks Act, 2024, and Trade Marks Regulations, 2025, effective from 1st February 2025, have modernized the system. The new law allows service mark registration for the first time and adopts the Nice Classification System for goods and services.

Registering a trademark in the Bahamas enhances brand credibility, asset value, and protection against misuse. With its favourable legal environment, government incentives for foreign investors, and strategic location near the U.S., the Bahamas is an attractive business destination. The country ensures data confidentiality and simplified procedures for international entrepreneurs. At Enterslice, we assist businesses in obtaining trademark registration in Bahamas, ensuring compliance, faster processing, and complete brand protection under Bahamian law.

Nice Classification

10 Years Validity

Opposition Period 2 Months

Secure Your Brand with Trademark Registration in Bahamas

Protect your brand name, logo, or design through trademark registration in Bahamas. It grants you exclusive rights, prevents misuse, and builds trust, ensuring your brand remains uniquely yours in a competitive market.

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Why Bahamas Trademark Registration is Essential for Brand Protection?

Registering your trademark in the Bahamas offers several advantages for protecting and strengthening your brand identity. Given below are the reasons for the Bahamas trademark registration-

Protection Against Infringement

Protection Against Infringement

Bahamas trademark registration safeguards your brand from counterfeiters and unauthorized use. It gives you the legal authority to prevent others from copying or misusing your mark.

Exclusive Rights Over Your Brand

Exclusive Rights Over Your Brand

Once your trademark is registered, you gain exclusive rights to use it across the Bahamas. No other entity can legally use an identical or similar mark for the same goods or services.

Strong Legal Protection

Strong Legal Protection

Trademark registration in Bahamas provides robust legal protection under Bahamian law. You can take legal action against infringers, including filing complaints or lawsuits to defend your ownership rights.

Builds Credibility and Trust

Builds Credibility and Trust

Using the ® symbol after your brand name shows that it is officially registered, enhancing your credibility and building customer trust in the Bahamian market.

Prevents Misuse on Digital Platforms

Prevents Misuse on Digital Platforms

Bahamas trademark registration also protects your brand from misuse on online platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, ensuring your digital presence remains secure.

Supports International Expansion

Supports International Expansion

Trademark registration in Bahamas allows you to expand protection internationally through global systems like the Madrid Protocol, helping your business grow beyond national borders.

Valuable Business Asset

Valuable Business Asset

A registered trademark becomes a valuable business asset. It can be licensed, franchised, or sold, adding significant financial and strategic value to your brand.

Stronger Remedies Against Infringement

Stronger Remedies Against Infringement

With a registered trademark, you gain access to enhanced legal remedies, including claiming damages, seeking injunctions, and ordering the destruction of counterfeit goods.

How to Apply for Trademark Registration in Bahamas?

The process of trademark registration in Bahamas is overseen by the Registrar General Department (RGD). Have a look at the stepwise guide to apply for trademark registration with Bahamas through expert-led support by Enterslice-

Trademark Search

Before filing, the applicant should conduct a trademark search to ensure the proposed mark is not already registered or in use. This step helps avoid duplication and potential objections during the examination stage.

Listing of Goods/Services

The applicant must accurately list the goods or services associated with the trademark in accordance with the Nice Classification system. A clear and precise description ensures proper protection under Bahamian law.

Application Filing

The applicant can file the trademark registration application by submitting the prescribed forms along with the required supporting documents to the concerned authority.

Examination

After submission, the competent authority examines the application to verify compliance with the Bahamas Trademarks Act and to identify any conflicting marks. If the application is accepted, it is published in the Official Gazette for public notice and possible opposition.

Opposition

Any person or entity may file an opposition within two months from the date of publication in the Official Gazette. If no opposition is filed or if the opposition is resolved in favour of the applicant, the process proceeds to the final stage.

Grant of Registration Certificate

Upon successful completion of all stages, the authority issues a Trademark Registration Certificate, granting the applicant exclusive ownership and rights over the registered mark.

How Much Time it takes to Register a Trademark in Bahamas?

The Registrar General’s Department (RGD) manages the process of trademark registration in Bahamas. The entire procedure to register a trademark in Bahamas usually takes 12 months to 4 years, depending on oppositions or delays.

Trademark Search: 3–5 Business Days

A preliminary search is conducted to ensure the proposed mark is not already registered or in use.

Listing of Goods/Services: 1–2 Weeks

The applicant must list goods or services as per the Nice Classification for accurate protection.

Application Filing: 8–10 Weeks

The trademark application, along with required documents, is filed with the RGD.

Examination: 6 Months–1 Year

The RGD examines the application for compliance and publishes it in the Official Gazette if accepted.

Opposition Period: 2 Months

Any third party may oppose the mark within one month of publication.

Grant of Certificate: 12 Months–4 Years

If no opposition arises, the Trademark Registration Certificate is issued, granting exclusive ownership rights.

What are the Mandatory Documents for Trademark Registration in Bahamas?

To apply for trademark registration in Bahamas, the applicant must submit the following information and documents:

Form No. 1 – Authorization Form

Form No. 2 – Application Form

Form No. 3 – Form with additional representations of the trademark

Name of the trademark

One copy of the mark (not required if the mark consists of words only)

Class(es) and specification of goods or services

Applicant’s full name and address

Is Online Trademark Registration in Bahamas Eligible for Renewal?

Yes, online trademark registration in Bahamas is eligible for renewal after the expiry of its initial 10-year registration period. The registration can be renewed for successive 10-year terms an unlimited number of times.

A renewal application must be filed before the expiry date of the trademark registration. However, a grace period of one month is allowed from the publication date of the Non-Renewal Notice, during which the renewal can still be filed upon payment of a late fee.

Typically, it takes around 3 to 6 months for the Registrar General to process the renewal application. Once the process is complete, the Registrar General issues an official Notice of Renewal confirming the successful extension of the online trademark registration in Bahamas.

Trademark Registration in Bahamas

Non-Eligible Marks for Trademark Registration in Bahamas

The following types of marks are not eligible for trademark registration in Bahamas:

Descriptive Marks

Marks that directly describe the goods or services offered cannot be registered in the Bahamas. This includes words or expressions describing the quality (e.g., “best,” “premium”), quantity (e.g., “1 litre”), value (e.g., “cheap,” “luxury”), purpose (e.g., “cleaner”), or geographical origin of the goods or services. Such marks lack distinctiveness and fail to identify a single source.

Marks Common to Trade

Terms or symbols that have become generic or customary in a particular trade cannot be trademarked. These are words that are widely used to describe goods or services and do not distinguish one trader from another.

Marks Contrary to Public Morality or Public Policy

Any mark that offends public morals, promotes illegal activities, or goes against public order or policy in the Bahamas will be refused registration.

Deceptive Marks

Marks that may deceive or mislead the public about the nature, quality, or geographical origin of the goods or services are ineligible for registration. Such marks can cause confusion and are considered misleading.

Marks Identical or Similar to Earlier Marks

Marks that are identical or confusingly similar to an already registered trademark for the same or similar goods/services will be refused by the Registrar General Department (RGD) to prevent infringement and consumer confusion.

Marks that Can Cause Public Confusion

Any mark likely to confuse the public regarding the origin or ownership of goods or services will not be accepted for trademark registration in Bahamas.

Marks Identical or Similar to Well-Known Marks

Marks that imitate or closely resemble well-known trademarks in the Bahamas or internationally are not eligible for registration, even if used for unrelated goods or services. Trademark registration in Bahamas protects the goodwill and reputation of established brands.

Why Trust Enterslice for Online Trademark Registration in Bahamas?

With years of experience in global IP compliance, Enterslice offers expert support to help businesses register a trademark in the Bahamas efficiently and securely. Our professional team ensures complete compliance with the Registrar General Department (RGD), making the process of online trademark registration in Bahamas smooth and hassle-free.

Here’s why Enterslice is the trusted choice to apply for trademark registration in Bahamas:

  • Expert guidance in conducting detailed trademark searches and risk assessments
  • Proven success rate in Bahamas trademark registration and protection
  • Fast-track trademark filing in the Bahamas with accurate documentation
  • Comprehensive assistance for trademark monitoring, renewal, and opposition
  • Qualified IP lawyers and consultants with global and regional experience
  • Strict adherence to Bahamian trademark laws and RGD guidelines
  • Transparent pricing with no hidden charges or delays
  • 24×7 customer support for all IP-related services
  • Professional advice on mark design and logo refinement before filing
  • Helping businesses build, protect, and expand their brand identity globally

FAQs on Bahamas Trademark Registration

Some of the types of trademark not registrable are generic word marks that lack distinctiveness, names of geographic location, surnames, marks that violate moral principles or public order, names, symbols or flags of a nation, region or state and international organisations.

No, the Bahamas does not use Nice Classification; they have their own system of trademark classification. Hence, it is not applicable in their jurisdiction.

Yes, priority can be claimed in the Bahamas, provided the applicant's home country is a party to the Paris Convention. The home application date is within 6 months prior to the application for trademark registration in Bahamas.

The Bahamas trademark registration process involves three main phases. First, a pre-filing stage, where the applicant conducts a trademark search and lists goods or services as per the Nice Classification.
Next, the filing and examination phase, where the application and documents are submitted and reviewed for compliance before publication in the Official Gazette.
Finally, in the opposition and registration stage, if no opposition is filed within a month, the authority issues a Trademark Registration Certificate, granting exclusive rights to the owner.

Yes, if a trademark remains unused for a long time, it becomes vulnerable to cancellation or challenges by third parties on the grounds of non-use. It may also increase the risk of infringement or misuse by others.

No, if you register your trademark in the Bahamas, you don’t own protection in other territories but only within the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

The symbol TM is used after filing an application for trademark registration in Bahamas, and on the other hand, the symbol ® is used only after obtaining registration of the trademark in connection with goods and services listed on the registration certificate.

The list of documents and information required for trademark registration in Bahamas is as follows:

  • Name of the trademark
  • One copy of the mark (except if the mark is only a word)
  • Class(es) and specification of goods
  • Applicant's name and address
  • Authorisation of agent (Form No.1) – one per class
  • Certified copy of priority document (if priority is claimed)

The advantages of registering a brand name in the Bahamas are as follows:

  • Protection Against Infringement
  • Exclusive Rights Over Your Brand
  • Strong Legal Protection
  • Builds Credibility and Trust
  • Prevents Misuse on Digital Platforms
  • Supports International Expansion
  • Valuable Business Asset
  • Stronger Remedies Against Infringement

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