The Cyprus IP Regime

CYPRUS’ INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) REGIME

In today’s modern world, Intellectual Property is one of the most valuable assets of a business, hence the decision to choose a country to host its IP, is indeed a very important and strategic one. A suitable jurisdiction must have a legal regime affording protection, safety and certainty. Moreover, because of the IP’s mobility to use across various countries, proper planning is crucial to mitigate international tax leakage and optimise its after-tax cash flows.

Cyprus has a developed legal system employing principles of UK common law. Since 2004 it is a full Member State of the EU, it has adopted all EU Directives and is compliant with the EU Acquis Communautaire. It complies with transparency requirements and features on the White List of the OECD. Furthermore, it has signed a number of bilateral agreements for the protection of investments with many countries and has an impressive network of double taxation treaties covering over 40 countries seeking continually to expand it; The above in combination with the conclusion of international conventions for the protection of IP (inter alia the Paris Convention, WIPO; Bern convention; the Madrid Agreement; the Patent Cooperation Treaty) and modern IP laws ensure protection and certainty for IP companies.

Since 2012, Cyprus has enacted a very beneficial IP box regime, giving IP owners significant tax benefits, as outlined below:

IP box in a nutshell:

• 80% exemption on income from the exploitation of IP (royalties, damages, gains from disposal);
• Gross IP income reduced by direct expenses incurred for the production of such income;
• Wide range of qualifying IP rights(see below);
• Qualifying IP can be purchased or developed internally;
• An accelerated amortization period of 5 years instead of amortization over the lifespan of the IP;

• Carry forward of losses indefinitely;
• Corporate tax liability of 12.5% on net profits;
• No withholding of tax on the payment of royalty income to a third party as long as the IP is not used in Cyprus;
• Double tax treaty benefits in foreign countries  for tax resident companies on royalty income and unilateral credit in Cyprus on any foreign tax paid in Cyprus;
• The effective tax rate based on the above may be reduced to below 2%.

Qualifying IP:

The IP regime is applicable to existing and acquired or developed IP after January 1st, 2012 as defined in the following Cyprus laws:

• Patent law
• Intellectual Property Law
• Trademark Law

The above laws cover inter alia copyrights, patents, trademarks, service marks, software, trade secrets; client/database lists; designs/models; internet domain names; software copyrights; secret formulae, rights related to scientific, literary, dramatic, artistic or scientific works, movies, sound recording, broadcasts; published editions and publications; rights related to industrial or commercial work.

How we can help you:

Clerides Anastasiou Neophytou LLC is a leading law firm in Cyprus specialising in corporate, commercial, and tax law and M&A transactions. We are top ranked in tax law and highly recommended in corporate and M&A by well-known international agencies ranking law firms worldwide. Our associates and staff shall be pleased to assist you with efficient, high-value cost-efficient services to help you structure your transactions in Cyprus.

Our tax team can assist you with:

• efficient tax structuring;
• Advise as to qualifying IP and expenditure;
• corporate set –up and corporate services;
• Amortisation issues;
• Transfer-pricing issues;
• tax rulings and negotiations;
• tax opinions;
• Transfer of IP and initial set up;
• VAT issues;
• Ongoing corporate support after the initial set up.

For further information please contact us at:

Clerides, Anastassiou, Neophytou LLC

Limassol, Cyprus

Tel: +357 25 274050

info@cyplaw.com

This material has been prepared by professionals of Clerides, Anastassiou, Neophytou LLC. It is intended as a general guide only, and its application to specific situations will depend on the particular circumstances involved. Accordingly, we recommend that readers seek appropriate professional advice regarding any particular problems that they encounter. This information should not be relied upon as a substitute for such advice. While all reasonable attempts have been made to ensure that the information contained herein is accurate, Clerides, Anastassiou, Neophytou LLC accepts no responsibility for any errors or omission it may contain or any opinions contained herein whether caused by negligence or otherwise, or for any losses, however caused, sustained by any person that relies upon it. 

Clerides, Anastassiou, Neophytou LLC provides corporate and commercial legal services, to public and private international and local clients spanning multiple industries. Please visit our internet site at www.cyplaw.com for a full description of our services and representative transactions.  

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