As a global free trade treaty port, Hong Kong has developed financial industry, low taxes and a sound legal system, which makes Hong Kong to be one of the most business attractive economies. It is helpful for enterprises to create an international brand and to enhance the visibility and competitiveness by trademark registration in Hong Kong(http://www.conpak.com/registration-of-hong-kong-trademarks.html).
Currently, the types of Hong Kong trademarks include commodity trademarks, service trademarks, series trademark, defensive trademarks, physical trademarks, scent trademarks and certification trademarks. The registrations of these trademarks need to follow the combination principles of earlier application and earlier use. The procedures of Hong Kong trademark registration are general inquiries of trademark, submitting an application, trademark review, and announcement of trademark. The whole process will take about 6-8 months. In addition, there are no special requirements of subject qualification for trademark applicants according to the laws of Hong Kong, both of natural and juridical person team can apply for trademark registration, the applicant may appoint an agent to apply for or apply for by themselves.
Trademark search
Trademark search is not a necessary process for trademark registration in Hong Kong. In order to exclude the possibility dismiss for the same trademark or similar trademarks, the applicant can log in the Intellectual Property Department of the Hong Kong Government trademark retrieval system http://ipsearch.ipd.gov.hk for free charging. If the free search results can not be ruled out similar trademark, the applicant can also entrust an agency to pay the Hong Kong Trade Marks Registry to check the record comments.
Submit an application for registration
The competent authority of trademark registration is Intellectual Property Department of the Hong Kong Trade Marks Registry in Hong Kong. Applicants need to submit trademark registration application form, the trademark name in English, the necessary protected trade names or list of items, logos and the applicant's identification data (natural persons registered to submit personal ID card or passport, legal persons registered to provide a copy of the business license copy) to the Trade Marks Registry.
Applications for inspection
Receipt of the application for registration, the Trade Marks Registry will conduct a detailed examination of the application form and all attachments, such as errors in the form or data gaps, which the Trade Marks Registry will require the applicant to amend. It must be noted that the slight amendment does not affect the date of submission of the application, the more significant amendments or major changes will not only affect the date of submission of the application, but also may not be accepted by the Trade Marks Registry.
Trademark Examination
Complete the application checking, the Trade Marks Registry will search trademark records and to check whether the application for trademark registration requirements to comply with the Trade Marks Ordinance. Subsequently, the Examiner will issue a written opinion, the objection and reasons, or confirmation of acceptance of the application for registration. If the application for trademark does not meet the requirements for registration, the Trade Marks Registry will challenge the trademark. The applicant is required to achieve the relevant provisions within 6 months. As corrected trademark applications are still not compliant, the applicant may be raised again in the Trade Marks Registry of opinion within three months from the date of hearing required.
Opposed to hearing
Trademark registration application is accepted by the Trade Marks Registry, which will be publicized in the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Journal for 3 months, any person may object to the application. The applicant may withdraw the application for registration or opposition to submit a counter-statement. The Trade Marks Registry has received all of the evidence, the opposition and the applicant to appear at the hearing will be arranged by the hearing officer ruled. If the applicant withdraws the application for registration or losing in the opposition proceedings, need to pay the costs for the other party.
Registered announced
Acceptance of the application for trademark registration of the Trade Marks Registry will detailed data entry of the trademark register, the certificate of registration issued to the applicant, and published in the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Journal. At this stage, the Trade Marks Registry will be the date of registration of the trademark dates back to the date of submitting an application, that the applicant is calculated from the human rights by the submission date of application as a registered trademark owned.
Priority
If the applicant submitted trademark applications within six months and has the same product or service in the Paris Convention country or WTO members to submit the application for registration of the trade mark, are entitled to priority of trademark registration.
It also need to notice that registered trademarks in Hong Kong, trademarks applicant must provide an address for service in Hong Kong, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address, so that the Trade Marks Registry staff feel free to contact. Hong Kong Trade Marks Registry does not accept a PO Box or care-o address. If you can not solve all these problems without Hong Kong nationals, Conpak accounting firms can provide a one-stop shop for trademark registration services, more detailed information about Hong Kong trademark registration http://www.conpak.com/Trademark-Registration.html , please visit our website http://www.conpak.com.