Trademark Registration in Mauritius

Mauritius is a key financial hub in the Indian Ocean and a popular jurisdiction for Indian businesses establishing offshore holding companies or regional headquarters. Trademark registration in Mauritius is managed by the Companies Registry and the Corporate and Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). The island nation follows a first-to-file system and is a member of the Paris Convention, the TRIPS Agreement, and the Madrid Protocol. Registration provides 10 years of protection, renewable indefinitely. The processing timeline is relatively efficient at 4 to 8 months. For Indian businesses using Mauritius as a corporate structuring base or targeting the African market, a Mauritian trademark registration complements the corporate structure.

Any individual, partnership firm, LLP, private limited company, or corporate entity—whether domestic or foreign—is eligible to apply for trademark registration in Mauritius. For foreign applicants (including Indian businesses), the application must be submitted through a registered local agent or attorney, or designated internationally under the Madrid Protocol. A pre-existing trademark in India is not mandatory for a direct national application, but is required if you are utilizing the Madrid Protocol route. The mark must be distinctive, non-descriptive, and not conflict with any pre-existing registered trademarks or pending applications in Mauritius.