Guernsey changed its Intellectual Property laws in June 2006. What this means is that companies will be able to use Guernsey as an International base for its Intellectual Property for the first time.

Guernsey has several distinct advantages over other jurisdictions as an IP base such as low taxation, corporate privacy and political stability.

We are already seeing an interest in companies moving their IP to Guernsey. This gives these IP owners a base from which to licence out IP and accrue a capital value to those IP assets from within a tax neutral and efficient environment.

Guernsey trade marks can now be either applied for directly for the first time or be a re-registration of an existing mark. In both cases we are able to offer full search and application facilities direct from this site. Please see the link on the right for full details of our services and fees.

In addition to being able to site traditional IP in the Island, these changes enable companies to protect their e-commerce businesses whilst at the same time taking advantage of the unique trading position Guernsey offers.

Consider the following:

No capital gains taxes
No VAT - goods shipped from Guernsey into the EU are free from any duties if under £18 - ideal for many e-commerce based businesses
Low corporation tax - this will be from zero % as of 2008
World class banking and postal operations

For a full list of Guernsey's new Intellectual Property Laws please see the following links

Copyright (548 K)

Database Rights (164 K)

Performers' Rights (339 K)

Registered Designs (168 K)

Trade Marks (359 K)

Unregistered Design Right (Semiconductor Topographies) (89 K)

Unregistered Design Rights (210 K)