Author: VAI IP COMMERCIAL

The Papua New Guinea Investment Promotion Authority and National Cultural Commission has issued a joint media release on the restriction of commercial use of local arts and designs on Bilum wear fabric. You can read the release below. We would also like to add that we did raise a similar issue four years ago and up can read that piece on this link here. Does this affect your business? Is your business affected in some way by this release? Contact Us for an initial consultation by completing the form below.

Read More

Some of you may recall that we introduced the Motuan Puse-Puse as our corporate gift to clients. The gifts were well received. These “bags” were sewn up by three village ladies from Hanuabada and Elevala and were sewn in the village. The materials were LAVAGIRL branded purchased from the inspiring Annette Sete and shipped from Kokopo. The gift cards were printed by a local SME printer D-TEN in Hanuabada. Uniquely, the cards had printed on them a QR code. On scanning, the recipient would be taken to a landing page which detailed more information about the meaning of the gift…

Read More

Our Corporate Services division consists of talented paralegals supervised by experienced lawyers. Below, we provide you just some of the many tasks we can undertake on your behalf. Incorporations & Registrations Reserving Company NameCompany incorporationObtaining Corporate SealActing as Registered OfficeForeign Company RegistrationBusiness Name Registration Maintenance & Renewals Preparing and fling Annual ReturnsTrade Marks/Patents/Industrial Design RenewalsBusiness License/Permit Renewals Due Diligence Searches Company SearchesLand Title Register SearchesPersonal Property Register SearchesMining Tenement SearchesBusiness Name Searches Reorganizations Company Name ChangesBusiness Name ChangesChange in Directors/Shareholders/Registered Office Other Bank AccountsInsuranceWork PermitsPassportsNCD UtilitiesLand Rent For any queries, please contact [email protected]

Read More

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime. Here at Vai IP & Commercial, some of our staff have undergone the process and while the end result is so satisfying, going through the process can be novel to many and at times frustrating. But the most important consideration is doing it correctly. A mistake along the way can cost you dearly. Our experienced paralegals and lawyers will help you through the process from drafting, advising and actually attending to that exciting step of obtaining the keys to the property. Aside from buying a…

Read More

Vai IP & Commercial is a boutique intellectual property and commercial law firm based in Port Moresby. We are pleased to introduce to you, our technology driven VIP Corporate Services solution that will: Minimise your administrative and compliance burdens Help you be proactive in meeting compliance requirements Free up your time to focus more on core business activities Provide one-stop shop Corporate Services provider that’s accessible as and when required anywhere, anytime Our VIP Corporate Services solution is driven by technology and experience: Dokit : Our In-house Asset Management Database System storing your compliance data and sending automated reminders to meet compliance deadlinesClio : Cloud based Practice Management System…

Read More

From Left Mr Los (Late Sir Kubulan Los) and Mr Tarua Ever wondered who were the first indigenous lawyers to graduate from the University of Papua New Guinea? We’ve done a little digging up and here’s what we found. In 1972, two local lawyers were admitted to the Bar. They graduated from the University of Papua and New Guinea (as it was called then). The two gentlemen were Mr Ilinome Frank Tarua of Kwato, Milne Bay District, and Mr Kubulan Los of Madang. As you can imagine, this was a very special occasion for the individuals, their families, the territory and of course the…

Read More

About three years ago when we started this journey of operating as a local boutique intellectual property firm, we, like many new start-ups, made contact with Anaqua and others with the possibility of exploring business opportunities. It was a positive exchange but nothing more. A year after that, we made a trip to Boston, Massachusetts, ironically where Anaqua is based, for the INTA meeting. Obviously, Anaqua was one of the businesses we wanted to meet and although we did meet some of their team members at their booth, nothing further eventuated after that. A few more correspondences followed and after just…

Read More

Papua New Guinea trade mark filing is picking up as more filings are being done by local entrepreneurs or businesses based in Papua New Guinea. Other than knowing that these proprietors are protecting their intangible assets, it’s also an indication of what products and services are in the pipeline, if not already on the market. Let’s take a look at the top 11 filings: Nationwide Microbank Limited Kina Bank’s “esiloan” business and intellectual property were acquired by MiBank. MiBank’s has done more than “touched up” the logo with a more culturally modern look. This look is being filed in the…

Read More

I take great interest in Papua New Guineans filing trade mark applications to protect their intellectual property. More and more individuals are starting to realize the importance of their intellectual property and even better taking that extra step to protect it. One of the interesting finds in the course of our usual work this week is the application filed by Janet Yaki for the Papua New Guinea Stoma Association. The trade mark is a logo of the association. The application has been filed in Class 44 for: PNG IP Database Providing medical Ostomy Appliances for Ostomates living with an Invisible…

Read More

Not your typical Monday image but now that I’ve got your attention, here’s a rating from RateBeer: Best Beer in PNG 1. Niugini Ice Premium Beer 2. SP Lager Beer3. South Pacific Export Lager4. Kundu Lager The beer with the highest alcohol content of 5.2% is the Best Beer in PNG. On the face of it, there can be a sense of confusion between these brands. There are two main competitors in PNG: South Pacific Breweries and Paradise Breweries. Actually, there could three although the third is illegal but nonetheless a realistic threat. South Pacific Breweries has a beer brand “Paradise…

Read More