RST and Notarial Sector Share Knowledge on UBO Registry Compliance

A Curaçao court has ruled in favor of Lovers Industrials — popularly known as 'Lovers' — in a trademark lawsuit filed against local company Kortijn. The verdict requires Kortijn to immediately cease all use of branding, slogans, and indications that bear any resemblance to the Lovers name or identity. The ruling appears to be a clear and decisive victory for Lovers Industrials, which initiated the legal action to protect its brand identity. Trademark disputes of this nature are significant in Curaçao's competitive business landscape, where brand recognition plays a key role in consumer loyalty. The immediate enforcement aspect of the ruling means Kortijn has no grace period and must comply without delay. No details were provided regarding any financial penalties or damages awarded as part of the verdict.

This summer's severe drought has significantly disrupted cargo shipping along Dutch rivers, with inland waterway transport volumes dropping nearly 19 percent in August compared to the same month a year earlier. The historically low water levels have forced cargo vessels to carry lighter loads or avoid certain routes altogether, sharply reducing efficiency and capacity. Transport of goods specifically destined for Germany — a major trade corridor through Dutch river routes — fell by a dramatic 40 percent. The Rhine and other key Dutch waterways serve as critical arteries for European goods movement, making low water levels a serious logistical and economic concern. The disruption ripples across supply chains, affecting industries that rely on cost-effective bulk shipping by water. While the article originates from a Curaçao-based outlet, the story reflects broader Dutch and European economic conditions that can indirectly affect trade flows connected to the Caribbean Dutch territories. No immediate relief from the drought conditions was mentioned.

A major shift in Curaçao's long-running refinery debate came this month when 2BAYS director Patrick Newton publicly stated that a traditional oil refinery will never return to the Schottegat. His remarks, which many had privately accepted but rarely voiced aloud, were confirmed days later by the island's Financial authorities, effectively closing the door on decades of back-and-forth over the future of the former Shell refinery site. The Schottegat refinery was once the economic backbone of Curaçao, and its decline has left a significant void in the island's economy and identity. Newton's declaration signals that stakeholders are now pivoting from debate to action, focusing on what should actually be built or developed on the strategically located industrial site. The shift represents both a challenge and an opportunity — Curaçao must now define a new economic vision for one of its most prominent and historically significant pieces of land.