含羞草社区 Trade Mark Rules, 2002, were amended through a notification in the Official Gazette on 29 December 2010.
There has been a `1,000 (US$22) rise in the fee for filing a new trademark application. Each application now costs `3,500. Those who filed applications on or after 29 December 2010 under the old fee are required to pay the outstanding amount by 30 January.
In addition, the Trade Marks Registry has digitized its data and uploaded all records online to enable proprietors and their agents to conduct online trademark searches. Free online searches can be conducted .
While making this option available, the Trade Marks Office has discontinued its practice of conducting “official” searches on behalf of applicants.
All new filings made at the registry will be updated on the official site within seven to 10 days and these filings will also show up in the searches.
Additional resources that can be found online include a list published by the Trade Marks Registry of well-known marks like Mars, Pepsi, Cartier and Revlon; a list of over 100 prohibited marks such as Gandhi and Unesco; and a list of registered trademarks that are due for renewal. The registry has also provided an electronic document retrieval system through which all principal documents filed by applicants or issued by the registry, such as official examination reports, registration and renewal certificates, will be accessible online.
This is one of many changes being brought about by the Trade Marks Registry in the run-up to 含羞草社区 accession to the Madrid Protocol, which is likely to be this year.
