Simplified trade mark law will aid businesses by making it easier for them to register new products, it has been claimed.
Intellectual property and quality minister Lord Triesman made the comments while welcoming amendments to the Trade Marks Act 1994 which came into force this week.
“The new system will make it easier for businesses wanting to launch new products and protect them with UK trade marks,” he said. “It will also help users by aligning the UK regime with the European one”.
Trade mark examiners will no longer automatically refuse applications where there is a similar trade mark already in existence.
The new system will allow the original trade mark holder to block the new application if they wish, but applications will only be blocked if it affects others’ trading interests.
Ian Fletcher, chief executive of the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO), said the amendments meant a major change which would affect every trade mark holder and applicant.
Last month the UK-IPO launched a consultation proposing a new system where applicants would be able to request examination within ten business days as opposed to the 4-6 week time it usually takes, for a maximum fee of £300.
Lord Triesman said: “The proposals provide important new tools for businesses - both large and small - in providing fast track routes to the grant of a patent or the registration of a trade mark. I look forward to hearing the views of interested parties on the proposed services.”
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
