Govt seeks public comments to amend trademark rules

Govt seeks public comments to amend trademark rules 

With an aim at faster clearance of trademark cases in the country, the government has sought public comments on amending the relevant rules to make them more significant and user friendly.

"The Comptroller General of Patent, Design and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) intends to make a proposal for amendment of the Trade Mark Rules," the CGPDTM said in a communication.

The Trade Marks Act, 1999 and the Trade Marks Rules, 2002 govern the law relating to trademarks in India.

Inviting comments from stakeholders, the CGPDTM said the intention is to "bring it (Rules) in conformity with current trading and business practices".

By proposing to amend the rules, the government aims at "speedy disposal of trade mark cases and also to make the rules in conformity with the transparency measures already introduced in the Trade Mark system".

Besides, the government also want to simplify the rules and other related issues.
"(the) suggestions shall contain justification for each amendment," the CGPDTM's communication said adding it would accept suggestions till 15^th September.

Trade Mark means a mark capable of being represented graphically that distinguish the goods or services of one person from those of others.

In 2008-09, the government received 1,30,172 applications for trademarks and 1,02,257 were registered. In 2007-08, a total of 1,00,857 trademarks were registered.

The Trade Marks Registry at Mumbai acts as a resource and information centre. It also acts as a facilitator in matters relating to trade marks in the country.

The objective of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 is also to provide for better protection of trade mark for goods and services and prevent fraudulent use of the mark.