Overview
Seychelles handles trademarks, patents, and industrial designs through the Seychelles Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) under the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade. Since Seychelles is not affiliated with any regional African IP organizations like ARIPO or OAPI, applications are filed directly with SIPO. Its intellectual property framework follows international standards, providing formal application processes and legal pathways for enforcement.
Local procedures overseen by SIPO ensure that both domestic and foreign applicants can obtain and maintain IP rights within Seychelles. Those facing potential infringement can seek remedies through administrative channels or the judicial system, following established local laws.
International Conventions
Seychelles is a contracting party to several major treaties that guide its IP framework, including:
• Paris Convention
• Berne Convention
• TRIPS Agreement
• Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)