BZ - Belize
Belize Intellectual Property Office

Valid from 1 March 2023

Useful information

The PCT Applicant’s Guide is updated almost every week with information received by the International Bureau.
In case of question, please contact the Office or the International Bureau (pct.guide@wipo.int).
List of abbreviations used in this document:
Office: Belize Intellectual Property Office
PA: Patents Act (Cap. 253)
PR: Patents Regulations, 2002
List of currencies used in this document:
BZD: Belize dollar
USD: US dollar
List of related countries and Offices used in this document:
CA: Canada – Canadian Intellectual Property Office
EP: European Patent Office (EPO)
IB: International Bureau of WIPO
Refer to List of WIPO Standards, Recommendations and Guidelines (formerly Annex K, List of country names and two-letter codes). It includes a list of short names and two-letter codes accepted for use in indicating States, other entities and intergovernmental organizations (and their Offices) in documents relating to international applications under the PCT. The list is as set out in WIPO Standard ST.3.
Also refer to PCT Contracting States (formerly Annex A).
PCT Reservations, Declarations, Notifications and Incompatibilities
The Office does not have any reservations, declarations, notifications or incompatibilities.
Refer to the full list.
Office Closed dates
The Office is closed weekly on Saturday and Sunday
Additional closed dates can be consulted on the Office Closed dates page

International Phase

Annex B - Information on Contracting States or Intergovernmental Organization

Contracting State:
Belize
Two-letter code:
BZ
Name of Office:
Belize Intellectual Property Office
Location:
23 Garbutt Creek Street
P.O. Box 592
Belmopan
Cayo District
Belize
Mailing address:
Same as above
Telephone:
(501-8) 22 13 81
(501-8) 22 20 73
E-mail:
belipo@btl.net
info@belipo.bz
Website:
Facsimile:
None
Does the Office accept the filing of documents by means of telecommunication (PCT Rule 92.4)?
Yes, by e-mail
Which kinds of documents may be so transmitted?
All kinds of documents
Must the original of the document be furnished in all cases?
Yes, within one month from the date of the transmission, if the transmitted document is the international application or a replacement sheet containing corrections or amendments of the international application
No, only upon invitation in the case of other documents
Would the Office accept evidence of mailing a document, in case of loss or delay, where a delivery service other than the postal authorities is used (PCT Rule 82.1)?
Yes
provided that the delivery service is:
DHL
Federal Express
Is the Office prepared to allow applicants to make applications available to the WIPO Digital Access Service for Priority Documents (DAS) (PCT Rule 17.1(b-bis)?
No
Competent receiving Office(s) for international applications filed by nationals or residents of this State:
BZ, 
IB
Does national legislation restrict the filing of international applications with foreign Offices?
Refer to the Office
Competent designated (or elected) Office(s) for this State:
Refer to corresponding National Phase.
BZ
Types of protection available via the PCT:
Patents
Utility models
Availability under the national law for an international-type search (PCT Article 15):
None
Provisional protection after international publication:
None
Information of interest if this Contracting State is designated (or elected)
Time when the name and address of the inventor must be given:
Must be in the request. If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.
Are there special provisions concerning the deposit of microorganisms and other biological material?
No

Annex C - Receiving Office

Competent receiving Office for nationals and residents of:
Belize
Language in which international applications may be filed:
English
Language in which the request may be filed:
English
Number of copies required by the receiving Office if application filed on paper:
3
Does the receiving Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3)?
Yes, the Office applies both the “unintentional” and the “due care” criteria to such requests
Competent International Searching Authority:
CA, 
EP

The Office is competent only if the international search is or has been carried out by that Office
Competent International Preliminary Examining Authority:
CA, 
EP
Fees payable to the receiving Office:
Transmittal fee:
300 BZD
International filing fee:
1,435 USD
This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
Fee per sheet in excess of 30:
16 USD
This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
Reductions (under Schedule of Fees, item 4):
Electronic filing (the request in character coded format):
Electronic filing (the request, description, claims and abstract in character coded format):
Search fee:
Refer to
Annex D(CA)
Annex D(EP)
Fee for priority document (PCT Rule 17.1(b)):
20 BZD
Fee for requesting restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3(d)):
150 BZD
Is an agent required by the receiving Office?
No, if the applicant resides in Belize
Yes, if the applicant is a non-resident
Who can act as agent?
Any patent attorney entitled to practice before the Office
Waiver of power of attorney:
Has the Office waived the requirement that a separate power of attorney be submitted?
Refer to the Office
Has the Office waived the requirement that a copy of a general power of attorney be submitted?
Refer to the Office

National Phase

Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase

Time limits applicable for entry into the national phase:
Under PCT Article 22(1): 30 months from the priority date
Under PCT Article 39(1)(a): 30 months from the priority date 1
Translation of international application required into (one of) the following language(s):
English
Required contents of the translation for entry into the national phase: 2
Under PCT Article 22: Description, claims (if amended, both as originally filed and as amended), any text matter of drawings, abstract
Under PCT Article 39(1): Description, claims, any text matter of drawings, abstract (if any of those parts has been amended, both as originally filed and as amended by the annexes to the international preliminary examination report)
Is a copy of the international application required in particular circumstances?
The applicant should only send a copy of the international application if he has not received Form PCT/IB/308 and the Office has not received a copy of the international application from the International Bureau under PCT Article 20. This may be the case where the applicant expressly requests an earlier start of the national phase under PCT Article 23(2).
National fees:
Patents
Filing fee 2
300 BZD
Annual fees for the first three years
600 BZD
Utility models
Filing fee/Grant fee 2
300 BZD
Exemptions, reductions or refunds of fees:
None
Special requirements of the Office (PCT Rule 51bis): 3 4
Name and address of the inventor if they have not been furnished in the “Request” part of the international application
Statement justifying the applicant’s right to the patent if he is not the inventor
Who can act as agent?
Any patent attorney entitled to practice before the Office
Does the Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 49ter.2)?
Yes, the Office applies both the “unintentional” and the “due care” criteria to such requests

The procedure in the national Phase

BZ.01 TRANSLATION (CORRECTION)
Errors in the translation of the international application can be corrected with reference to the text of the international application as filed (refer to National Phase, paragraphs 6.002 and 6.003).
BZ.02 FEES (MANNER OF PAYMENT)
PR Regulations 4, PR Regulations 8
The manner of payment of the fees indicated in the Summary and in this Chapter is outlined in Annex BZ.I.
BZ.03 POWER OF ATTORNEY
An agent must be appointed by filing a notarized or apostilled power of attorney. A model is given in Annex BZ.II.
BZ.04 ANNUAL FEES
PA Sec. 28(2)
They are payable before the first and each subsequent anniversary of the international filing date. Where the applicant failed to pay by the due date, payment can still be made, together with a surcharge for late payment, within the six months following the due date. The amounts of the annual fees are indicated in Annex BZ.I.
BZ.05 FEE FOR GRANT
PA Sec. 55(11)
A fee for grant must be paid before the grant of the patent. The amount of the said fee is indicated in Annex BZ.I.
BZ.06 AMENDMENT OF THE APPLICATION; TIME LIMITS
PCT Art. 28, PCT Art. 41, PA Sec. 19
Amendments may be made in the national phase up to the grant of the patent, provided that the scope of the subject matter of the application is not broadened thereby.
BZ.07 REVIEW UNDER ARTICLE 25 OF THE PCT
PCT Art. 25, PCT Rule 51, PA Sec. 62
The applicable procedure is outlined in paragraphs 6.018 to 6.021 of the National Phase. If, upon review under PCT Article 25, the Office denies an error or omission on the part of the receiving Office or the International Bureau, an appeal against this decision may be lodged to the Supreme Court by a notice of motion within two months from the date of the decision.
BZ.08 EXCUSE OF DELAYS IN MEETING TIME LIMITS
PCT Art. 24(2), PCT Art. 48(2), PR Regulation 44, PA Sec. 59
Reference is made to paragraphs 6.022 to 6.027 of the National Phase. Where the applicant failed to comply with a time limit during the international phase or before the Office, he may request extension of the time limit. Such request must be addressed to the Office together with an affidavit setting forth the relevant facts and is subject to the payment of a special fee (refer to Annex BZ.I). Extension of time limits may be requested until the date of expiration of the time limit. The extension may be granted by the Office for such period as the Office thinks suitable in the circumstances of the case.
When the Registrar of Intellectual Property is satisfied that the circumstances justify it, he is empowered, under the Belize Patents Act, upon the written request of any interested person, to extend the time limit for any act or any proceeding under the Belize Act and Regulations. The extension may be granted even though the corresponding time limit has expired. The notice of any extension to the parties concerned shall be given in writing by the Registrar.

Annexes

Annex BZ.I - Fees
Patents
Filing fee
300 BZD
Fee for grant
300 BZD
Annual fees:
— before the 1st anniversary of filing
100 BZD
— before the 2nd anniversary of filing
200 BZD
— before the 3rd anniversary of filing
300 BZD
— before the 4th anniversary of filing
400 BZD
— before the 5th anniversary of filing
500 BZD
— before the 6th anniversary of filing
600 BZD
— before the 7th anniversary of filing
700 BZD
— before the 8th anniversary of filing
800 BZD
— before the 9th anniversary of filing
900 BZD
— before the 10th anniversary of filing
1,000 BZD
— before the 11th anniversary of filing
1,100 BZD
— before the 12th anniversary of filing
1,200 BZD
— before the 13th anniversary of filing
1,300 BZD
— before the 14th anniversary of filing
1,400 BZD
— before the 15th anniversary of filing
1,500 BZD
— before the 16th anniversary of filing
1,600 BZD
— before the 17th anniversary of filing
1,700 BZD
— before the 18th anniversary of filing
1,800 BZD
— before the 19th anniversary of filing
1,900 BZD
Surcharge for late payment of annual fee
100 BZD
Fee for extension of time
50 BZD
Fee for recording an address for service of a patent, or a change of address for service of a patent or a licence
50 BZD
Fee for restoration of the right of priority
150 BZD
Utility models
Filing/Grant fee
300 BZD
How can payment of fees be effected?
Payment must be made in Belize dollars, but the equivalent amount in a foreign currency that is convertible in Belize may be accepted. All payments must indicate the application number (national, if already known; international, if the national application number is not yet known), the name of the applicant and the type of fee being paid
Fees may be paid by cheque, bank draft or money order to the Belize Intellectual Property Office (endorsed in the name of the Government of Belize) or by cash at the Office or by bank transfer (PR Regulations 4 and 8)
Forms
The following documents are maintained by the Office. Refer to the Office website (Annex B) for latest version and other languages.
Annex BZ.II - Power of Attorney (Form No. 2B)
Notes:
1 a May be extended upon written request of the applicant.
2 a b c Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
3 a If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.
4 a This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
V. 1 printed on 24 Mar 2023
1.4 #39 - 2023-03-21T14:25:39.551+01:00