Jersey Trade Mark Law Changes 2026: New Rules from 1st August

New Jersey Trade Mark Reforms Implemented on 1st August 2026

Significant changes to the trade mark regime in Jersey will take effect on 1st August 2026. This will fundamentally change the way brand owners secure and maintain protection in the jurisdiction, which is a separate one to the UK.

The new reforms will establish a standalone Jersey trade mark system, ending the long-standing practice of extending UK rights into Jersey through re-registration.

Position before 1st August 2026

At the time of writing, trade mark protection in Jersey depends on the type of registration held:

• UK national trade marks do not automatically extend to Jersey and must be separately re-registered.
• EU trade marks and cloned EU rights do not provide automatic protection in Jersey.
• International registrations designating the UK currently extend to Jersey automatically.

The position regarding EU trade marks has caused some uncertainty in recent years.

While EU trade marks benefited from automatic protection in Jersey between 2000 and 2009 under the old Community Trade Mark Regulation, the Government of Jersey clarified in a 2024 industry note that this protection had ceased following amendments to the Regulation in 2009.

As a result, businesses seeking protection in Jersey currently need either:

• A Jersey re-registration based on an existing UK registration; or
• An international registration designating the UK.

What changes from 1st August 2026?

Existing rights

Trade marks already protected in Jersey before 1st August 2026 will remain valid.

However, renewals will be administered under Jersey’s new domestic legislation and handled directly through the Jersey Trade Mark Office.

International registrations

For international registrations designating the UK, WIPO will automatically create a ‘corresponding’ Jersey designation on 1st August 2026.

Following the transition:

• Jersey will operate as a separate designation under the Madrid system;
• Rights in Jersey and the UK will require separate renewals; and
• Applicants will need to specifically designate Jersey in future international applications.

Where a UK designation remains pending on 1st August 2026, a Jersey designation will automatically be created once the UK registration proceeds to acceptance.

New applications post 1st August 2026

Separate Jersey application required

The ability to re-register UK trade marks in Jersey will end entirely.

Businesses seeking protection in Jersey will instead need to file a standalone national application directly in Jersey.

Unlike the current UK-based re-registration process, the new Jersey regime will include:

• Substantive examination; and
• A formal opposition period.

This represents a significant procedural shift and may increase both the time and cost involved in securing protection.

International applications

From 1st August 2026, designating the UK under the scope of an international registration will no longer provide coverage in the territory of Jersey.

Applicants wishing to protect marks in Jersey will need to designate Jersey separately.

Practical considerations for brand owners

Businesses with existing UK registrations that intend to secure protection in Jersey may wish to act by filing a re-registration request before 1^st August 2026.

Filing before the new regime takes effect may allow applicants to benefit from:

• Lower official fees;
• The current re-registration process; and
• The absence of examination and opposition proceedings.

Rights holders relying on international registrations should also ensure that Jersey renewals are diarised separately from UK renewals following the transition.

For businesses with existing international registrations that do not currently designate the UK, a subsequent UK designation before 1^st August 2026 may provide the most efficient route to obtaining both UK and Jersey protection.

Posted: 6th July 2026