About Us

The Registry of Companies & Intellectual Property (ROCIP) was established by an Act of Parliament (No. 12 of 2000) called the Companies & Intellectual Property (Registry) Act. This Act is now cited as Cap 13.02 of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia, 2001. ROCIP. falls directly under the Attorney General’s Chambers and more broadly within the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Chambers of Saint Lucia.
 
The Registry of Companies and Intellectual Property (ROCIP) was established in September 2000 assuming the functions of administration of IP formerly carried out by the High Court Registry. St. Lucia had a successful TRIPS Council review of its IP legislative framework in April 2001.

The Registry of Companies and Intellectual Property is the competent authority concerned with the administration of laws on IP Rights. In addition to registering companies, business names and partnerships the ROCIP has as its primary function, the administration of trademarks, patents, industrial designs, geographical indications, layout designs, and copyright. In relation to its IP functions the ROCIP is also focused on public education on IP. It also is responsible for making recommendations to the Minister responsible for IP on matters relating to IP.

The ROCIP has also assumed responsibility for public education and information dissemination on IP. The office hosted a Copyright Awareness Week addressing issues such as piracy and enforcement. It also uses the Government Information Service to disseminate information on IP laws.

ROCIP data indicate that between 1998 and 2000, 1335 Trademark applications were filed, 84 by St. Lucian nationals, and a total of 26 patents applications were received all filed by non-residents. See Tables 4 - 6 on Patents granted and Trademarks registrations respectively. See also WIPO Statistics at www.wipo.int/ipstats/en/publications/ which breaks down applications by country and classification and indicate some patent applications designated for St. Lucia which have not yet entered the national phase.

Between 1998 and 2000, 1034 trademarks were registered for foreign proprietors and 26 patents were granted to foreign applicants. See Tables 4 & 5 indicating IP Rights applications and grants to residents and non-residents. See also WIPO statistics at the above noted website.