hong kong trademark https://www.accoladeip.com/us/en/trademark-search/ is a fast and cost-effective process. If your application meets all requirements it will be accepted for registration and published in the Intellectual Property Journal for 3 months.
During this time other parties may oppose your trademark being registered (it must not be similar to an already registered mark). If no opposition is filed or the opposition is withdrawn, your trademark will be granted legal protection within the territory.
Trademark Search
Trademarks are vital tools for businesses to secure their intellectual property. A trademark registered gives its owner the exclusive right to use it for goods and services within a specified jurisdiction, preventing others from using it without permission. The trademark will also serve as a valuable asset for the business, allowing it to grow and expand.
A Hong Kong trademark can be any sign that distinguishes the goods or services of one trader from those of another. This includes words (including personal names), indications, designs, letters, characters, numerals, figurative elements, colors, shapes and sounds.
The trademark application process can be complex and time-consuming, especially for foreign businesses. It is often best to hire a professional to handle it. They can provide expert advice, conduct a more comprehensive search and interpret the results accurately. They can also help you avoid legal complications and save you time and resources. Moreover, they can handle other complex procedures such as company formation, tax filing and accounting, and corporate secretarial services.
Registration
Trademark registration is an essential step in securing exclusive usage rights for your business. It protects you from unauthorized use and provides legal protection if others are found to be doing so. The registration process is relatively quick if all information provided is accurate and complete. It can be done both physically or online.
A trademark application is subject to a number of criteria outlined in the Trade Marks Ordinance and the Trade Marks Rules. It is possible for the Registry to raise objections if the application does not meet certain requirements.
If no objections are raised and the application is accepted for registration, it will be published in the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Journal. This publication gives any interested party a chance to file an opposition within a three-month period. If an opposition is filed, a hearing will be called and all evidence will be presented for or against the mark. The final decision will be made at that time.
Opposition
Once your hong kong trademark application has passed the examination process, it will be published in Hong Kong Intellectual Property Journal. Within three months from the publication date, any interested party can raise an opposition notice. In response, the applicant can file a counter-statement and then both parties will have to attend a hearing session.
During the hearing, it has become routine for opponents to allege bad faith based on a perceived similarity between an earlier mark and the sign in question. For example, the opponent in the case discussed above argued that because the applicants’ mark resembled his own, they must have intentionally attempted to mislead or confuse consumers.
If the opposition is successful, a hearing officer will issue a decision. Typically, the successful party is entitled to recover their legal costs from the opposing party. This includes Hong Kong lawyers’ fees but not foreign counsel fees. However, if the opposing party successfully appeals the decision, their legal costs will be reimbursed by the HKIPO.
Renewal
If a registered trademark is not renewed within the required deadline, it will expire. However, renewals may be filed within a 6-month period after expiration of the trademark’s registration.
The Registrar may require that an applicant demonstrate use of the mark in relation to the goods/services before accepting a request for registration. It is therefore important to have a good system in place for recording trademark use in Hong Kong.
Protection of a trademark in Hong Kong is limited to ten years from the date of registration (Sec. 49(2) TMO). However, it is possible to extend this protection by paying a fee at the end of each 10 year period.
In contrast to other intellectual property rights, trademarks are renewable as of right in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, the renewal process can be challenging due to differences in the law of each country. Hence, it is important to understand the laws of each country when preparing and filing trademark renewal applications.
Here’s more on Accolade 卓遠, take a look at our own internet site.
