Intellectual Property Division (IPD) | Ministry of Tourism, Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives

Intellectual Property Division

1. Our Mission:
We aim to build a strong and fair intellectual property (IP) system in Kiribati. This system will help grow our economy and society in a sustainable way, while also protecting and respecting our culture and traditions.
Our work supports the Ministry’s overarching goals of public engagement, supporting businesses, and ensuring good governance.

2. What we do:

Building Partnerships and Connections
- Hold workshops and meetings with communities, businesses, and government.
- Work with partners in the region and internationally to improve IP laws and systems.
- Create more opportunities for dialogue and cooperation in IP development.
Supporting Businesses
- Make IP services easier and more accessible for businesses.
- Run training and awareness programs to build knowledge and skills.
- Provide strong protection for IP rights so that local businesses feel safe to innovate and invest.
Ensuring Good Governance
- Manage IP laws in a fair, transparent, and accountable way.
- Review and update laws to meet local needs and international standards.
- Report regularly to government committees on progress and challenges.
- Train and support our staff to deliver better IP services.

3. Our Roles & Responsibilities:

Administer and enforce IP laws in Kiribati.
Assist in the review and improve laws.
Bring together public and private partnership engagement.
Implement and monitor the National Intellectual Property Strategy (NIPS).
Organize and provide secretariat role to the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) subcommittee meetings and report to the National Trade Advisory Committee (NTAC).
Take part in regional and international IP programs.
Support staff development and seek outside expertise where needed.
Help create an enabling environment where creativity and businesses can grow through IP protection.

4. The Policies We Follow:
Our work is fundamentally guided by the National Intellectual Property Strategy (NIPS) and strongly aligned to the: -