The Patent Office has launched a consultation with business on the potential conflicts in trademarks.
Entrepreneurs are urged to comment on whether they believe the Patent Office should continue to cross-check new trademark applications for clashes with trademarks registered in the past.
Conflicts often result in the Patent Office’s refusal to register the new application.
The organisation hopes to use this early, informal consultation, described as an examination on ‘relative’ grounds, to determine whether all stakeholders in the current patent application system are sharing the same benefits and shortcomings.
The consultation will be available at www.patent.gov.uk/about/consultations/relative/index.htm until 7 October.
Contact Allan James on 01633 811056 for further information.
