WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide JM - Jamaica
Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO)

    Applicable as from 1 April 2025
    (published on 20 February 2025)

    Summary of latest changes in this version
    RO: RO fees

    Consult the full list of the changes

    Previous version(s): You can consult previous versions of the document. The only applicable version is the current version.
    15 Sep 2023, 1 Nov 2023, 1 Jan 2024, 1 Mar 2024, 18 Apr 2024, 1 Jul 2024, 1 Dec 2024, 1 Jan 2025, Current Version

    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: Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO)
    PDA: The Patents and Designs Act (Act No. 1 of 2020)
    List of currencies used in this document:
    JMD (Jamaican dollar)
    Countries and Offices information:
    The list of acronyms used for Offices is no longer shown as it has been integrated in the mouseover functionality for each ST.3 code shown in this document.
    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.
    Office profile
    For more technical information about the Office, refer to ePCT Office profile.
    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:
    Jamaica
    Two-letter code:
    JM
    Name of Office:
    Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO)
    Location:
    18 Trafalgar Road
    Kingston 10
    Jamaica
    Mailing address:
    Same as above
    Telephone:
    (876) 946 13 00
    E-mail:
    info@jipo.gov.jm
    Website:
    Facsimile:
    None
    Does the Office accept the filing of documents by facsimile or the like means (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?
    No, only upon invitation
    Does the Office send notifications via e-mail in respect of international applications?
    Yes
    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)?
    No
    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)?
    More information about WIPO DAS is available at: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/das.
    No
    Competent receiving Office(s) for international applications filed by nationals or residents of this State:
    JM, 
    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.
    JM
    Types of protection available via the PCT:
    Patents, utility models (utility models may be sought in addition to a patent)
    Payment methods accepted by the Office:
    All fees must be paid in Jamaican dollars. All payments must indicate the application number (national, if already known; international, if the national number is not yet known), the name of the applicant and the category of fee being paid.
    Online payment is not available. Only currently available means of payment are allowed. Acceptable methods of payment include:
    — cash,
    — manager's cheque,
    — credit card and
    — debit card.
    Personal cheques and international debit cards are not accepted.
    Availability under the national law for an international-type search (PCT Article 15):
    Section 20(2)(b) of the Patents and Designs Act (Act No.1 of 2020)
    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:
    May be in the request or may be furnished later. 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:
    JM
    Language in which international applications may be filed:
    English
    Language accepted for language-dependent free text in the sequence listing:
    Same as above
    Language in which the request may be filed:
    English
    Number of copies required by the receiving Office if application filed on paper:
    1
    Does the receiving Office accept the filing of international applications in electronic form?
    Where the international application is filed in electronic form in accordance with and to the extent provided for in Part 7 and Annex F of the Administrative Instructions, the total amount of the international filing fee is reduced (refer to “Fees payable to the RO”).
    Where the international application contains a sequence listing as a separate part of the description, this should be furnished in accordance with Annex C of the Administrative Instructions, that is, in compliance with WIPO Standard ST.26 XML format; no fees are due for sequence listings filed in this format.
    For the relevant notification by the Office, refer to Official Notices (PCT Gazette) dated 22 September 2022, pages 261 et seq.
    Yes, the Office accepts electronic filing via ePCT-Filing
    Does the receiving Office accept the submission of pre-conversion documents and, if yes, in which format (Section 706 of the PCT Administrative Instructions)?
    Yes, any format
    Does the receiving Office accept incorporation by reference (PCT Rule 20.6)?
    Yes
    Does the receiving Office accept the submission of color drawings on an informal basis and transmit them to the International Bureau?
    No
    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:
    AT, 
    AU, 
    CA, 
    EP
    Competent International Preliminary Examining Authority:
    AT, 
    AU, 
    CA, 
    EP

    The Office is competent only if the international search is or has been carried out by that Office.
    Fees payable to the RO:
    Transmittal fee:
    8,500 JMD
    International filing fee:
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    Equivalent in JMD of 1,456 USD
    Fee per sheet in excess of 30:
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    Equivalent in JMD of 16 USD
    Reductions (under Schedule of Fees, item 4):
    Electronic filing (the request in character coded format):
    Equivalent in JMD of 219 USD
    Electronic filing (the request, description, claims and abstract in character coded format):
    Equivalent in JMD of 328 USD
    Search fee:
    Refer to
    Annex D(AT)
    Annex D(AU)
    Annex D(CA)
    Annex D(EP)
    Fee for priority document (PCT Rule 17.1(b)):
    4,500 JMD
    Fee for requesting restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3(d)):
    3,500 JMD
    Is an agent required by the receiving Office?
    No, if the applicant resides in Jamaica
    Yes, if he is a non-resident
    Who can act as agent?
    Any natural or legal person resident in Jamaica
    Waiver of power of attorney:
    Waivers of powers of attorney do not apply (PCT Rule 90.4(e) and 90.5(d)) where the agent or common representative submits any notice of withdrawal during the international phase (PCT Rule 90bis.1 to 90bis.4; refer also to International Phase, paragraph 11.048).
    Has the Office waived the requirement that a separate power of attorney be submitted?
    Yes
    Particular instances in which a separate power of attorney is required:
    None
    Has the Office waived the requirement that a copy of a general power of attorney be submitted?
    No

    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
    Does the Office permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6)?
    Yes, the Office permits reinstatement of rights under the “due care” and “unintentional” criteria
    Fee for reinstatement
    4,500 JMD
    Translation of international application required into (one of) the following language(s):
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    English
    Required contents of the translation for entry into the national phase:
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Where the applicant furnishes a translation of the international application only as amended or only as originally filed, the Office will invite the applicant to furnish the missing translation.
    Under PCT Article 22: Description, claims (if amended, both as originally filed and as amended, together with any statement under PCT Article 19), 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?
    A copy is required only if 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) or 40(2)
    Does the Office accept color drawings under its national law?
    Yes
    National fees:
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Patents
    Filing fee
    30,000 JMD
    Utility models
    Filing fee
    10,000 JMD
    Exemptions, reductions or refunds of fees:
    None
    Special requirements of the Office (PCT Rule 51bis):
    Name and address of the inventor if they have not been furnished in the “Request” part of the international application
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    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 of two months from the date of the invitation by the Office. The Office will charge a fee for compliance with that requirement in response to the invitation. For the amount of the fee refer to Annex JM.I
    Statement justifying the applicant’s right to the patent where the applicant is not the inventor
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    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 of two months from the date of the invitation by the Office. The Office will charge a fee for compliance with that requirement in response to the invitation. For the amount of the fee refer to Annex JM.I
    Evidence of entitlement to claim priority where the applicant is not the applicant who filed the earlier application
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    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 of two months from the date of the invitation by the Office. The Office will charge a fee for compliance with that requirement in response to the invitation. For the amount of the fee refer to Annex JM.I
    Document evidencing a change of name of the applicant if the change occurred after the international filing date and has not been reflected in a notification from the International Bureau (Form PCT/IB/306)
    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 of two months from the date of the invitation by the Office. The Office will charge a fee for compliance with that requirement in response to the invitation. For the amount of the fee refer to Annex JM.I
    Appointment of an agent if the applicant is not resident in Jamaica
    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.
    Instrument appointing the agent (authorization or power of attorney)
    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.
    Furnishing, where applicable, of a nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence listing in electronic form
    Who can act as agent?
    Any natural or legal person resident in Jamaica
    Does the Office accept the effect of restoration of the right of priority by the receiving Office (PCT Rule 49ter.1)?
    Yes
    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

    JM.01 FORM FOR ENTERING THE NATIONAL PHASE
    Applicants entering the national phase should indicate the international application number on Form 1 (refer to Annex JM.II). It is strongly recommended that this form be used
    JM.02 LANGUAGE OF PROCEEDINGS
    PDA Sec. 32
    The language of proceedings is English
    JM.03 TRANSLATION
    PDA Sec. 34(2), 
    PDA Sec. 34(3)

    For entry into the national phase, an English translation of the international application as published must be provided. A fee for the publication of the translation is also payable but may be paid within two months from the invitation, after national phase entry. The amount of the fee is indicated in Annex JM.I
    JM.04 TRANSLATION (CORRECTION)
    Errors in the translation of the international application can be corrected with reference to the text of the international application as originally filed (refer to National Phase, paragraphs 6.002 and 6.003)
    JM.05 FEES (MANNER OF PAYMENT)
    The manner of payment of the fees indicated in the Summary and in this Chapter is outlined in Annex JM.I
    JM.06 ANNUAL FEES
    PDA Sec. 25(1)
    Annual fees are payable as from the grant of a patent, on each anniversary of the international filing date. The payment of annual fees shall be accompanied by Form 8 (Payment of Annual Fee) (Annex JM.III). A patent shall cease to have effect at the end of ninety days after each anniversary of the international filing date if the annual fee remains unpaid at the expiration of that period, unless the annual fee is paid in full within ninety days after the end of the ninety day period after each anniversary. The amounts of the annual fees and the late payment fee are indicated in Annex JM.I
    JM.07 APPOINTMENT OF AN AGENT
    If the applicant is not resident in Jamaica, an agent shall be appointed by filing a power of attorney (Annex JM.III), signed by the applicant
    JM.08 AMENDMENT OF THE APPLICATION
    PDA Sec. 18(1)
    The applicant may, at any time before the patent is granted, make amendments to his application. The amount of the fee is indicated in Annex JM.I
    JM.09 EXCUSE OF DELAYS IN MEETING TIME LIMITS
    PCT Art. 24(2), 
    PCT Art. 48(2), 
    PCT Rule 82bis

    Reference is made to paragraphs 6.022 to 6.027 of the National Phase.
    JM.10 REVIEW UNDER ARTICLE 25 OF THE PCT
    The applicable procedure is outlined in paragraphs 6.018 to 6.021 of the National Phase
    JM.11 RESTORATION OF THE RIGHT OF PRIORITY
    PCT Rule 49ter.2, 
    PDA Sec. 12.10

    Where the international application was filed within two months from the end of the period for claiming priority of an earlier application, a request may be made to the Office in accordance with the national law to restore the right of priority (refer to National Phase, paragraphs 6.006 - 6.011). Such a request will be allowed if the Office is satisfied that the failure to file the application within the 12 month priority period was unintentional or that it occurred in spite of due care required by the circumstances having been taken
    JM.12 REINSTATEMENT OF RIGHTS
    PCT Rule 49.6, 
    PDA Sec. 19.4, 
    PDA Sec. 19.5

    Reinstatement of rights may be requested where the applicant unintentionally or in spite of due care required by the circumstances having been taken, failed to perform the acts referred to in Article 22 within the applicable time limit. The Registrar shall not refuse a request for reinstatement of rights without giving the applicant the opportunity to make observations on the intended refusal within a reasonable time
    JM.13 UTILITY MODEL
    If the applicant wishes to obtain a utility model on the basis of an international application in addition to a patent, the applicant, when performing the acts referred to in PCT Article 22 or 39(1), shall so indicate to the designated Office
    JM.14 CONVERSION
    PDA Sec. 76
    An international application for a patent may be converted into a utility model, and vice-versa, after the applicant has complied with the requirements for entry into the national phase. Conversion may be requested at any time before the grant or refusal of the application. Conversion may only be requested once. The conversion is subject to the payment of a fee indicated in Annex JM.I

    Annexes

    Annex JM.I - Fees
    Patents
    Filing fee
    30,000 JMD
    Divisional application
    30,000 JMD
    Registration of an assignment
    6,700 JMD
    Appointment or change of an agent
    4,500 JMD
    Change in name or address of an applicant
    4,500 JMD
    Publication of translation:
    — up to 4 pages
    3,500 JMD
    — for each page in addition to 4 pages
    500 JMD
    Application to register an assignment
    6,700 JMD
    Amendment of specification
    10,000 JMD
    Conversion of a patent application into a utility model application
    5,000 JMD
    Restoration of the right of priority
    3,500 JMD
    Annual fees:
    — upon the 1st anniversary
    2,500 JMD
    — upon the 2nd anniversary
    4,500 JMD
    — upon the 3rd anniversary
    5,000 JMD
    — upon the 4th anniversary
    6,500 JMD
    — upon the 5th anniversary
    9,500 JMD
    — upon the 6th anniversary
    11,000 JMD
    — upon the 7th anniversary
    13,000 JMD
    — upon the 8th anniversary
    16,000 JMD
    — upon the 9th anniversary
    19,000 JMD
    — upon the 10th anniversary
    24,000 JMD
    — upon the 11th anniversary
    25,000 JMD
    — upon the 12th anniversary
    26,000 JMD
    — upon the 13th anniversary
    27,000 JMD
    — upon the 14th anniversary
    31,000 JMD
    — upon the 15th anniversary
    37,000 JMD
    — upon the 16th anniversary
    42,000 JMD
    — upon the 17th anniversary
    65,800 JMD
    — upon the 18th anniversary
    75,000 JMD
    — upon the 19th anniversary
    100,000 JMD
    Late payment of the annual fee:
    25% of the applicable annual fee
    Utility models:
    Filing fee
    10,000 JMD
    Conversion of a utility model application into a patent application
    5,000 JMD
    How can payment of fees be effected?
    All fees must be paid in Jamaican dollar by charging a deposit account held be the Office. All payments must indicate the application number (national, if already known; international, if the national number is not yet known), the name of the applicant and the category of fee being paid
    Forms
    The following documents are maintained by the Office. Refer to the Office website (Annex B) for latest version and other languages.
    Annex JM.II - Form 1 (Application for a Patent)
    Annex JM.III - Form 8 (Payment of Annual Fee)
    Current version applicable from 1 Apr 2025 , printed on 22 May 2025
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