BELIPO

The Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO), www.belipo.bz , established under Part II of the Patents Act (Chapter 253), Revised Edition 2000, is the National Intellectual Property Registry for Belize, Central America. Belize is a stable and democratic member State of the British Commonwealth, the World Intellectual Property Organization and the World Trade Organization. Belize's rapidly expanding economy is based on free market economic policies, and the country now welcomes hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

It is important to note that Belize's Intellectual Property (IP) laws are the most modern in the region, being the first country in the region to be in compliance with WTO IP Agreements.

The office, which came into existence in 2001, is responsible for the registration of trademarks/logos, industrial designs and patents and is governed by five legislations: Trade Marks Act, Patents Act, Industrial Design Act, Protection of the New Plant Varieties Act, and Protection of Layout Designs (Topographies) of the Integrated Circuits Act.

Patents Act including the registration of patents and utility models, and to serve as a PCT Designated and Elected Office; Trade Marks Act, including the registration of trademarks, service marks, collective marks and certification marks (geographical indications and appellations of origin); Industrial Designs Act, including the registration of industrial designs under the Hague Agreement (1960 Act); These first three Acts are the main focus of the office.

Protection of the New Plant Varieties Act, including the registration of new plant varieties;

Protection of Layout Designs (Topographies) of the Integrated Circuits Act, including the registration of integrated circuits.

The Belize Intellectual Property Office:
P.O. Box 592
BELIPOHouse
Piccini Site
Belmopan, Belize
Tel: 501-822-1381 / 501-822-2073
Fax: 501-822-1382
Email: belipo@btl.net / belipobz@lycos.com