Tuvalu Trademark Information

Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is located in Southeast Asia/Oceania northeast of Australia, midway between Hawaii and Australia. The population is estimated at 12,400 with a GDP of $14.94 million.

In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period.

Trademarks are assigned through the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Public Corporations. Tuvalu is not a member of the Madrid Protocol. A trademark is valid for 10 years and may be renewed for further periods of 10 years each.