An Ordinance to make new provision in respect of the registration of trade marks and to provide for connected matters.
[4 April 2003] L.N. 31 of 2003
(Originally 35 of 2000) | Section: | 1 | Short title | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
PART I PRELIMINARY - (1) This Ordinance may be cited as the Trade Marks Ordinance.
- (2) (Omitted as spent)
| Section: | 2 | Interpretation | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
(1) In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires"certification mark" (證明商標) has the meaning assigned by section 62(1) (certification marks); "certified" (核證), in relation to a copy or extract, means certified by the Registrar and sealed with the seal of the
Registrar;
"collective mark" (集體商標) has the meaning assigned by section 61(1) (collective marks);
"corporation" (法團) means any company or other body corporate, incorporated or formed either in Hong Kong or elsewhere;
"court" (法院) means the Court of First Instance;
"defensive trade mark" (防禦商標) means a trade mark registered as a defensive trade mark under section 60 (defensive trade marks);
"infringement proceedings" (反侵犯法律程序), in relation to a registered trade mark, includes proceedings under section 23 (order for delivery up) and section 25 (order for disposan( �
"limitation" (限制) means any limitation of the exclusive right to the use of a trade mark given by the registration of a person as owner of the trade mark;
"official journal" (官方公報) means the publication for the time being specified under section 73(1) (power to specify official journal, etc.) as the official journal of record;
"owner" (擁有人), in relation to a registered trade mark, means the person whose name is for the time being entered
in the register as the owner of the trade mark or, if there are 2 or more such persons, each of those persons;
"Paris Convention" (《巴黎公約》) means the Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property signed at Paris
on 20 March 1883, as revised or amended from time to time; "Paris Convention country" (巴黎公約國) means - (a) any country for the time being specified in Schedule 1 as being a country which has acceded to the Paris Convention;
- (b) any territory or area subject to the authority or under the suzerainty of any country referred to in paragraph (a), or any territory or area administered by any such country, on behalf of which such country has acceded to the Paris Convention;
"prescribed" (訂明) means prescribed or provided for by the rules;
"registered trade mark" (註冊商標) means a trade mark registered under section 47 (registration);
"Registrar" (處長) means the Registrar of Trade Marks;
"Registrar of Trade Marks" (商標註冊處處長) means the person holding that office by virtue of the Director of Intellectual Property (Establishment) Ordinance (Cap 412);
"Registry" (註冊處) means the Trade Marks Registry in the Intellectual Property Department administered by the
Registrar;
"rules" (《規則》) means rules made by the Registrar under section 91 (rules);
"trade" (行業) includes a profession;
"World Trade Organization Agreement" (《世貿協議》) means the agreement of that name done at Marrakesh in
1994, as revised or amended from time to time;
"WTO member" (世貿成員) means any country, territory or area for the time being specified in Schedule 1 as being a country, territory or area which has acceded to the World Trade Organization Agreement. - (2) For the purposes of this Ordinance, a sign or trade mark is taken to be applied to goods, material or any other thing if it is woven in, impressed on, worked into, affixed or annexed to, or in any manner marked on or incorporated with, the goods, material or thing.
- (3) The expressions listed in the left-hand column below are defined in, or fall to be construed in accordance with, the provisions of this Ordinance listed in the right-hand column in relation to those expressions.
- (1) In this Ordinance, a "trade mark" (商標) means any sign which is capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one undertaking from those of other undertakings and which is capable of being represented graphically.
- (2) Without affecting the generality of subsection (1), a trade mark may consist of words (including personal names), indications, designs, letters, characters, numerals, figurative elements, colours, sounds, smells, the shape of goods or their packaging and any combination of such signs.
- (3) A sign may constitute a trade mark even though it is used in relation to a service ancillary to the trade or business of an undertaking and whether or not the service is provided for money or money's worth.
- (4) Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Ordinance to a trade mark shall be construed as including references to a certification mark, collective mark and defensive trade mark.
- (1) References in this Ordinance to a trade mark which is entitled to protection under the Paris Convention as a well-known trade mark shall be construed as references to a trade mark which is well known in Hong Kong and which is the trade mark of a person who
- (a) is a national of, or is domiciled or ordinarily resident in, a Paris Convention country or WTO member;
- (b) has a right of abode in Hong Kong; or
- (c) has a real and effective industrial or commercial establishment in a Paris Convention country, a WTO
| Expression | Relevant Provision |
| Convention application (公約申請) | section 41(9) |
| date of application for registration (註冊申請日期) | section 39(3) |
| date of registration (註冊日期) | section 48 |
| earlier right (在先權利) | section 12(5) |
| earlier trade mark (在先商標) | section 5 |
| exclusive licence (專用特許) | section 32 |
| exclusive licensee (專用特許持有人) | section 32 |
| filing date (提交日期) | section 39(1) |
| infringement (侵犯) | section 16 |
| infringing articles (侵犯性物品) | section 17(4) |
| infringing goods (侵犯性貨品) | section 17(2) |
| infringing material (侵犯性物料) | section 17(3) |
| licence (特許) | section 32 |
| licensee (特許持有人) | section 32 |
| owner of an earlier right (在先權利的擁有人) | section 12(5) |
| owner of a well-known trade mark | section 4(3) |
| (馳名商標的擁有人) | |
| the register (註冊紀錄冊) | section 8(1) |
| registrable transaction (可註冊交易) | section 29(2) |
| registration (註冊) | section 8(2) |
| series of trade marks (一系列的商標) | section 51(3) |
| trade mark (商標) | section 3 |
| use (of sign) (使用(標誌)) | section 18(5) |
| use (of trade mark or sign) (使用(商標或標誌)) | section 6 |
| use (likely to cause confusion) | section 7 |
| (使用(相當可能會產生混淆)) | |
| well-known trade mark (馳名商標) | section 4(1) |
| WTO application (世貿申請) | section 41(9) |
| Section: | 3 | Meaning of "trade mark" | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
| Section: | 4 | Meaning of "well-known trade mark" | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
member or Hong Kong, whether or not that person carries on business in Hong Kong or owns any goodwill in a business in Hong Kong. - (2) In determining for the purposes of subsection (1) whether a trade mark is well known in Hong Kong, the Registrar or the court shall have regard to Schedule 2.
- (3) References in this Ordinance to the owner of a well-known trade mark shall be construed in accordance with subsection (1).
(1) In this Ordinance, "earlier trade mark" (在先商標), in relation to another trade mark, means- - (a) a registered trade mark which has a date of the application for registration earlier than that of the other trade mark, taking into account the priorities claimed in respect of each trade mark, if any; or
- (b) a trade mark which, at the date of the application for registration of the other trade mark or, where appropriate, at the date of the priority claimed in respect of that application for registration, was entitled to protection under the Paris Convention as a well-known trade mark.
- (2) References in this Ordinance to an earlier trade mark shall be construed as including a trade mark in respect of which an application for registration has been made under this Ordinance and which, if registered, would constitute an earlier trade mark under or by virtue of subsection (1)(a), subject to its being so registered.
- (3) A trade mark which is an earlier trade mark under or by virtue of subsection (1)(a) shall continue to be taken into account in determining the registrability of a later trade mark for a period of 1 year after the date on which its registration expires unless the Registrar is satisfied the trade mark has not been used in good faith in Hong Kong during the 2 years immediately preceding that date.
References in this Ordinance to use (or to any particular description of use) of a trade mark or sign shall be construed as including any use (or any such description of use), whether by means of a graphic representation or otherwise.
- (1) For greater certainty, in determining for the purposes of this Ordinance whether the use of a trade mark is likely to cause confusion on the part of the public, the Registrar or the court may take into account all factors relevant
| Section: | 5 | Meaning of "earlier trade mark" | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
| Section: | 6 | References to use of trade mark or sign | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
| Section: | 7 | References to use likely to cause confusion | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
Cap 559 - TRADE MARKS ORDINANCE
in the circumstances, including whether the use is likely to be associated with an earlier trade mark. - (2) For greater certainty, in determining for the purposes of this Ordinance whether the use of a sign is likely to cause confusion on the part of the public, the Registrar or the court may take into account all factors relevant in the circumstances, including whether the use is likely to be associated with a registered trade mark.
- (1) In this Ordinance, "the register" (註冊紀錄冊) means the register of trade marks kept under section 67 (register to be kept).
- (2) Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Ordinance to registration (in particular, in the expression "registered trade mark") shall be construed as references to registration in the register.
| Section: | 8 | Meaning of "the register" and "registration" | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
| Section: | 9 | Ordinance binds Government | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
This Ordinance binds the Government. | Section: | 10 | Registered trade mark a property right | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
PART II
REGISTERED TRADE MARKS
Introductory - (1) A registered trade mark is a property right obtained by the registration of the trade mark under this Ordinance.
- (2) The owner of a registered trade mark has the rights and is entitled to the remedies provided by this Ordinance.
- (3) No proceedings lie to prevent, or to recover damages for, the infringement of an unregistered trade mark but nothing in this Ordinance affects the law relating to passing off.
| Section: | 11 | Absolute grounds for refusal of registration | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
Grounds for refusal of registration
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the following shall not be registered- - (a) signs which do not satisfy the requirements of section 3(1) (meaning of "trade mark");
- (b) trade marks which are devoid of any distinctive character;
- (c) trade marks which consist exclusively of signs which may serve, in trade or business, to designate the kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value, geographical origin, time of production of goods or rendering of services, or other characteristics of goods or services; and
- (d) trade marks which consist exclusively of signs which have become customary in the current language or in the honest and established practices of the trade.
- (2) A trade mark shall not be refused registration by virtue of subsection (1)(b), (c) or (d) if, before the date of application for registration, it has in fact acquired a distinctive character as a result of the use made of it.
- (3) A sign shall not be registered as a trade mark in relation to goods if it consists exclusively of
- (a) the shape that results from the nature of the goods themselves;
- (b) the shape of goods that is necessary to obtain a technical result; or
- (c) the shape that gives substantial value to the goods.
- (4) A trade mark shall not be registered if it is-
- (a) contrary to accepted principles of morality; or
- (b) likely to deceive the public.
- (5) A trade mark shall not be registered if, or to the extent that-
- (a) its use is prohibited in Hong Kong under or by virtue of any law; or
- (b) the application for registration of the trade mark is made in bad faith.
- (6) A trade mark shall not be registered if, or to the extent that, it consists of or contains-
- (a) the national flag or its design;
- (b) the national emblem or its design;
- (c) the regional flag or its design; or
- (d) the regional emblem or its design.
- (7) A trade mark shall not be registered in the cases specified in section 64 (national emblems, etc.) and section 65 (emblems, etc., of certain international organizations).
- (8) Where the grounds for the refusal of registration exist in respect of only some of the goods or services for which the application for registration is made, the refusal shall apply to those goods or services only.
- (9) For the purposes of subsection (6)- "national flag" (國旗) and "national emblem" (國徽) have the same meaning as in the National Flag and National Emblem Ordinance (116 of 1997)*;
"regional flag" (區旗) and "regional emblem" (區徽) have the same meaning as in the Regional Flag and Regional Emblem Ordinance (117 of 1997)*.
Note:
* 116 of 1997 and 117 of 1997 are published at pages 16/1 and 20/1 respectively in Volume 1 of the Loose-leaf Edition of the Laws of Hong Kong but have not been given chapter numbers in that Edition. The texts of 116 of 1997 and 117 of 1997 can also be found in this database in Instrument A401 and A602 respectively. | Section: | 12 | Relative grounds for refusal of registration | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
- (1) A trade mark shall not be registered if
- (a) the trade mark is identical to an earlier trade mark; and
- (b) the goods or services for which the application for registration is made are identical to those for which the earlier trade mark is protected.
- (2) A trade mark shall not be registered if
- (a) the trade mark is identical to an earlier trade mark;
- (b) the goods or services for which the application for registration is made are similar to those for which the earlier trade mark is protected; and
- (c) the use of the trade mark in relation to those goods or services is likely to cause confusion on the part of the public.
- (3) A trade mark shall not be registered if
- (a) the trade mark is similar to an earlier trade mark;
- (b) the goods or services for which the application for registration is made are identical or similar to those for which the earlier trade mark is protected; and
- (c) the use of the trade mark in relation to those goods or services is likely to cause confusion on the part of the public.
- (4) Subject to subsection (6), a trade mark which is-
- (a) identical or similar to an earlier trade mark; and
- (b) proposed to be registered for goods or services which are not identical or similar to those for which the
earlier trade mark is protected, shall not be registered if, or to the extent that, the earlier trade mark is entitled to protection under the Paris Convention as a well-known trade mark and the use of the later trade mark without due cause would take unfair advantage of, or be detrimental to, the distinctive character or repute of the earlier trade mark.
(5) Subject to subsection (6), a trade mark shall not be registered if, or to the extent that, its use in Hong Kong is liable to be prevented- - (a) by virtue of any rule of law protecting an unregistered trade mark or other sign used in the course of trade or business (in particular, by virtue of the law of passing off); or
- (b) by virtue of an earlier right other than those referred to in paragraph (a) or in subsections (1) to (4) (in
particular, by virtue of the law of copyright or registered designs), and a person thus entitled to prevent the use of a trade mark is referred to in this Ordinance as the owner of an "earlier right" in relation to the trade mark. - (6)
- A trade mark may be refused registration on any one or more of the grounds mentioned in subsections (4) and (5) only if an objection on those grounds is raised in proceedings in opposition to the registration under section 44 (opposition proceedings) by the owner of the earlier trade mark or other earlier right.
- (7)
- Where the grounds for the refusal of registration exist in respect of only some of the goods or services for which the application for registration is made, the refusal shall apply to those goods or services only.
- (8)
- Nothing in this section prevents the registration of a trade mark where the owner of the earlier trade mark or other earlier right consents to the registration.
- (1)
- Nothing in section 12 (relative grounds for refusal of registration) prevents the registration of a trade mark where the Registrar or the court is satisfied-
- (a)
- that there has been an honest concurrent use of the trade mark and the earlier trade mark or other earlier right; or
- (b)
- that by reason of other special circumstances it is proper for the trade mark to be registered.
- (2)
- The registration of a trade mark under or by virtue of subsection (1) shall be subject to such limitations and conditions as the Registrar or the court thinks fit to impose.
- (3)
- Nothing in this section prevents the Registrar from refusing to register a trade mark on any of the grounds mentioned in section 11 (absolute grounds for refusal of registration).
Effects of registered trade mark
- (1)
- The owner of a registered trade mark has exclusive rights in the trade mark which are infringed by use of the trade mark in Hong Kong without his consent.
- (2)
- The acts constituting infringement of a registered trade mark, if done without the consent of the owner, are specified in section 18 (infringement of registered trade mark) but are subject to the exceptions specified in section 19 (exceptions to infringement), section 20 (exhaustion of rights conferred by registered trade mark) and section 21 (use in advertising, etc.).
- (3)
- The rights of the owner of a registered trade mark have effect from the date of registration of the trade mark.
(1) An applicant for registration of a trade mark, or the owner of a registered trade mark, may - (a)
- disclaim any right to the exclusive use of any specified element of the trade mark; or
- (b)
- agree that the rights conferred by the registration shall be subject to a specified territorial or other limitation or condition.
- (2)
- Where the registration of a trade mark is subject to a disclaimer, limitation or condition, the rights in the registered trade mark conferred by this Ordinance are restricted accordingly.
- (3)
- Provision may be made by the rules as to the publication in the official journal and entry in the register of particulars of a disclaimer, limitation or condition.
| Section: | 13 | Honest concurrent use, etc. | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
| Section: | 14 | Rights conferred by registered trade mark | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
| Section: | 15 | Disclaimers, limitations and conditions | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
| Section: | 16 | References to infringement | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
PART III
INFRINGEMENT OF REGISTERED TRADE MARKS
Preliminary
References in this Ordinance to the infringement of a registered trade mark shall be construed as references to any infringement of the rights of the owner. - (1)
- References in this Ordinance to infringing goods, infringing material or infringing articles shall be construed in accordance with this section.
- (2)
- Goods are infringing goods, in relation to a registered trade mark, if the goods or their packaging bear a sign identical or similar to the registered trade mark and-
- (a)
- the application of the sign to the goods or their packaging constituted an infringement of the registered trade mark at the time the sign was applied;
- (b)
- the goods are proposed to be imported into Hong Kong and the application of the sign in Hong Kong to the goods or their packaging would constitute an infringement of the registered trade mark; or
- (c)
- the sign has otherwise been used in relation to the goods in such a way as to infringe the registered trade mark.
- (3)
- Material is infringing material, in relation to a registered trade mark, if the material bears a sign identical or similar to the registered trade mark and either-
- (a)
- the material is used-
- (i)
- for labelling goods;
- (ii)
- for packaging goods;
(iii) as a business paper; or (iv) for advertising goods or services,
in such a way as to infringe the registered trade mark; or
- (b)
- the material is intended to be so used and such use would constitute an infringement of the registered trade mark.
(4) Articles are infringing articles, in relation to a registered trade mark, if- - (a)
- the articles are specifically designed or adapted for making copies of a sign identical or similar to the registered trade mark; and
- (b)
- the articles are in the possession, custody or control of a person who knows or has reason to believe that they have been or are to be used to produce infringing goods or material.
- (5)
- Nothing in subsection (2) shall be construed as affecting the importation of goods which may be lawfully imported into Hong Kong by virtue of any law of Hong Kong.
Infringing acts
- (1)
- A person infringes a registered trade mark if he uses in the course of trade or business a sign which is identical to the trade mark in relation to goods or services which are identical to those for which it is registered.
- (2)
- A person infringes a registered trade mark if-
- (a)
- he uses in the course of trade or business a sign which is identical to the trade mark in relation to goods or services which are similar to those for which it is registered; and
- (b)
- the use of the sign in relation to those goods or services is likely to cause confusion on the part of the public.
- (3)
- A person infringes a registered trade mark if-
- (a)
- he uses in the course of trade or business a sign which is similar to the trade mark in relation to goods or services which are identical or similar to those for which it is registered; and
- (b)
- the use of the sign in relation to those goods or services is likely to cause confusion on the part of the public.
- (4)
- A person infringes a registered trade mark if-
- (a)
- he uses in the course of trade or business a sign which is identical or similar to the trade mark in relation to goods or services which are not identical or similar to those for which the trade mark is registered;
- (b)
- the trade mark is entitled to protection under the Paris Convention as a well-known trade mark; and
- (c)
- the use of the sign, being without due cause, takes unfair advantage of, or is detrimental to, the distinctive character or repute of the trade mark.
- (5)
- For the purposes of this section a person uses a sign if, in particular, he-
- (a)
- applies it to goods or their packaging;
- (b)
- offers or exposes goods for sale under the sign;
- (c)
- puts goods on the market under the sign;
- (d)
- stocks goods under the sign for the purpose of offering or exposing them for sale or of putting them on the market;
- (e)
- offers or supplies services under the sign;
- (f)
- imports or exports goods under the sign; or
- (g)
- uses the sign on business papers or in advertising.
- (6)
- Notwithstanding subsection (5), a person who applies or causes to be applied a registered trade mark, or a sign similar to a registered trade mark, to material which is intended to be used-
- (a)
- for labelling or packaging goods;
- (b)
- as a business paper; or
- (c)
- for advertising goods or services, shall be treated as a party to any use of the material which infringes the registered trade mark if, at the time the trade mark or sign was applied to the material, he knew or had reason to believe that its application to the material was not authorized by the owner of the registered trade mark or by a licensee.
(1) This section applies notwithstanding section 18 (infringement of registered trade mark).
- (2)
- A registered trade mark is not infringed by the use of another registered trade mark in relation to goods or services for which the latter is registered (but see section 53(9) for the effect of a declaration of invalidity of registration).
| Section: | 19 | Exceptions to infringement | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
(3) A registered trade mark is not infringed by - (a)
- the use by a person of his own name or address or the name of his place of business;
- (b)
- the use by a person of the name of his predecessor in business or the name of his predecessor's place of business;
- (c)
- the use of signs which serve to designate the kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value, geographical origin, time of production of goods or rendering of services, or other characteristics of goods or services; or
- (d)
- the use of the trade mark where it is necessary to indicate the intended purpose of goods or services
(for example, as accessories or spare parts), provided the use is in accordance with honest practices in industrial or commercial matters. - (4)
- A registered trade mark is not infringed by the use by any person in the course of trade or business in Hong Kong of an unregistered trade mark or other sign in relation to goods or services if the unregistered trade mark or other sign has been so used in Hong Kong by that person or a predecessor in title continuously from a date preceding the earlier of
- (a)
- the date of first use in Hong Kong of the trade mark which is registered; and
- (b)
- the date of registration in Hong Kong of that trade mark.
- (1)
- Notwithstanding section 18 (infringement of registered trade mark), a registered trade mark is not infringed by the use of the trade mark in relation to goods which have been put on the market anywhere in the world under that trade mark by the owner or with his consent (whether express or implied or conditional or unconditional).
- (2)
- Subsection (1) does not apply where the condition of the goods has been changed or impaired after they have been put on the market, and the use of the registered trade mark in relation to those goods is detrimental to the distinctive character or repute of the trade mark.
- (1)
- Nothing in section 18 (infringement of registered trade mark) shall be construed as preventing the use by any person of a registered trade mark for the purpose of identifying goods or services as those of the owner of the registered trade mark or a licensee, but any such use which is otherwise than in accordance with honest practices in industrial or commercial matters shall be treated as infringing the registered trade mark.
- (2) In determining for the purposes of subsection (1) whether the use is in accordance with honest practices in industrial or commercial matters, the court may consider such factors as it considers relevant including, in particular, whether-
- (a) the use takes unfair advantage of the trade mark;
- (b) the use is detrimental to the distinctive character or repute of the trade mark; or
- (c) the use is such as to deceive the public.
- (3) For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this section shall be construed as applying to the interpretation of section 20 (exhaustion of rights conferred by registered trade mark).
| Section: | 20 | Exhaustion of rights conferred by registered trade mark | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
| Section: | 21 | Use in advertising, etc. | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
Cap 559 - TRADE MARKS ORDINANCE | Section: | 22 | Action for infringement | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
Infringement proceedings
(1) An infringement of a registered trade mark is actionable by the owner of the trade mark. - (2) Notwithstanding section 48 (date of registration), no infringement proceedings may be begun before the date on which the trade mark is in fact entered in the register.
- (3) In infringement proceedings all such relief by way of damages, injunctions, accounts or otherwise shall be available to the owner of a registered trade mark as is available in respect of the infringement of any other property right.
- (1) The owner of a registered trade mark may apply to the court for an order for the delivery up to him, or such other person as the court may direct, of any infringing goods, material or articles which a person has in his possession, custody or control in the course of a trade or business.
- (2) No application may be made under subsection (1) after the end of the period referred to in section 24 (limitation on order for delivery up).
- (3) Where the court makes an order under subsection (1), it shall also make an order under section 25 (order for disposal) unless it determines that there are grounds for not making such an order.
- (4) A person to whom any infringing goods, material or articles are delivered up pursuant to an order made under subsection (1) shall, if an order under section 25 is not made at the time of the making of the order under subsection (1), retain them pending the making of an order under section 25 or the decision of the court not to make such an order.
(5) Nothing in this section affects any other power of the court.
- (1) Except as mentioned in subsection (2), an application for an order under section 23 (order for delivery up) may not be made after the end of the period of 6 years beginning on
- (a) in the case of infringing goods, the date on which the trade mark was applied to the goods or their packaging;
- (b) in the case of infringing material, the date on which the trade mark was applied to the material; or
- (c) in the case of infringing articles, the date on which they were made.
(2) If during the whole or part of the period referred to subsection (1) the owner of the registered trade mark (a) is under a disability; or
- (b) is prevented by fraud or concealment from discovering the facts entitling him to apply for an order, an application may be made at any time before the end of the period of 6 years beginning on the date on which he ceased to be under a disability or could with reasonable diligence have discovered those facts, as the case may be.
- (3) In subsection (2), "disability" (無行為能力) has the same meaning as in section 22(3) of the Limitation Ordinance (Cap 347).
| Section: | 23 | Order for delivery up | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
| Section: | 24 | Limitation on order for delivery up | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
| Section: | 25 | Order for disposal | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
(1) Where infringing goods, material or articles have been delivered up pursuant to an order made under
section 23 (order for delivery up), an application may be made to the court- - (a)
- for an order that they be forfeited to such person as the court may think fit;
- (b)
- for an order that they be destroyed;
- (c)
- for an order that they be disposed of outside the channels of commerce in such a manner as the court may think fit so as to avoid any harm being caused to the owner of the registered trade mark;
- (d)
- for an order that they be otherwise dealt with as the court may think fit; or
- (e)
- for a decision that no such order should be made.
- (2)
- Where there is more than one person interested in the goods, material or articles, the court may make such order under subsection (1) as it thinks just, and it may, in particular, direct that the goods, material or articles be disposed of and the proceeds be divided among them as the court directs.
(3) In considering what order, if any, should be made under subsection (1), the court shall- - (a)
- take into account the need for proportionality between the seriousness of the infringement and the remedies ordered;
- (b)
- take into account the interests of third parties; and
- (c)
- consider whether other remedies available in proceedings in respect of the infringement of the registered trade mark would be adequate to compensate the owner of the registered trade mark and any licensee and to protect their interests.
- (4)
- The court shall not make an order under subsection (1) permitting the removal of a registered trade mark from any goods, material or articles to which it has been unlawfully applied unless the owner of the registered trade mark consents to the order or, in the absence of such consent, unless the court is satisfied
- (a)
- that the goods, material or articles will not enter the channels of commerce once the registered trade mark has been removed from the goods, material or articles; or
- (b)
- having regard to the circumstances of the case, that there exist exceptional reasons to justify the removal of the registered trade mark from the goods, material or articles without the court being satisfied, or wholly satisfied, as to the matter mentioned in paragraph (a).
- (5)
- Provision may be made by rules of court made by the Chief Justice for the purposes of this section as to the service of notice on persons having an interest in the goods, material or articles, and any such person is entitled-
- (a)
- to appear in proceedings for an order under this section, whether or not he was served with notice; and
- (b)
- to appeal to the Court of Appeal against any order made under subsection (1)(a), (b), (c) or (d), whether or not he appeared.
- (6)
- An order made under subsection (1)(a), (b), (c) or (d) shall not take effect until the end of the period within which notice of an appeal may, as provided by those rules of court, be given or, if before the end of that period notice of appeal is duly given, until the final determination or abandonment of the proceedings on the appeal.
- (7)
- If the court decides that no order should be made under subsection (1)(a), (b), (c) or (d), the person who had possession, custody or control of the goods, material or articles before they were delivered up pursuant to the order made under section 23 (order for delivery up) is entitled to their return.
- (8)
- References in this section to a person having an interest in goods, material or articles include any person in whose favour an order could be made under this section or under section 54 of the Registered Designs Ordinance (Cap 522) or section 111 or 231 of the Copyright Ordinance (Cap 528) (which make similar provision in relation to infringement of registered designs, copyright and rights in performances).
- (1)
- Where a person threatens to bring an action against another person (the "threatened person") for infringement of a registered trade mark in respect of any use other than-
(a) the application of the trade mark to goods or their packaging; or
- (b)
- the supply of services under the trade mark, any person aggrieved by the threat (the "plaintiff") may bring proceedings before the court for relief under this section.
(2) The relief which may be applied for is any one or more of the following - (a)
- a declaration to the effect that the threats are unjustifiable;
- (b)
- an injunction against the continuance of the threats; and
- (c)
- such damages, if any, as have been sustained by the plaintiff by reason of the threats.
- (3)
- The plaintiff is entitled to the relief claimed under subsection (2) unless the defendant shows that the acts in respect of which the action was threatened constitute or, if done, would constitute, an infringement of the registered
trade mark concerned.
- (4)
- If the defendant shows that the acts in respect of which the action was threatened constitute or, if done, would constitute, an infringement of a registered trade mark, the plaintiff is nevertheless entitled to the relief claimed under subsection (2) if he shows that the registration of the trade mark is invalid or liable to be revoked in a relevant respect.
- (5)
- The mere notification that a trade mark is registered, or that an application for registration has been made, does not constitute a threat to bring an action for infringement for the purposes of this section.
(6) Proceedings for relief under this section may not be brought, or (if brought) may not proceed, if- (a) the registered owner of the trade mark; or
- (b)
- a licensee having power to bring proceedings for infringement of the trade mark, begins an action for infringement of the trade mark against the threatened person within 28 days after the threat was first made to him and pursues that action with due diligence.
- (7)
- Nothing in this section makes a barrister or solicitor liable to proceedings under this section for any act done by him in a professional capacity on behalf of a client.
PART IV
REGISTERED TRADE MARKS AS OBJECTS OF PROPERTY
(1) A registered trade mark is personal property. - (2)
- A registered trade mark is transmissible by assignment, testamentary disposition or operation of law in the same way as other personal property; and it is so transmissible either in connection with the goodwill of a business or independently.
- (3)
- An assignment or other transmission of a registered trade mark may be partial, that is, limited so as to apply
- (a)
- in relation to some but not all of the goods or services for which the trade mark is registered; or
- (b)
- in relation to use of the trade mark in a particular manner or in a particular locality.
- (4)
- An assignment of a registered trade mark, or an assent relating to a registered trade mark, is not effective unless it is made in writing and is signed by or on behalf of the assignor or his personal representative.
- (5)
- The requirement in subsection (4) that an assignment or assent be signed may be satisfied in a case where the assignor or personal representative is a corporation by the affixing of the seal of the corporation.
- (6)
- This section applies to an assignment by way of security as in relation to any other assignment.
- (7)
- A registered trade mark may be the subject of a charge in the same way as other personal property.
- (8)
- Nothing in this Ordinance shall be construed as affecting the assignment or other transmission of an unregistered trade mark as part of the goodwill of a business.
- (1)
- Where a trade mark is registered in the name of 2 or more persons jointly, each of them is entitled, subject to any agreement to the contrary, to an equal undivided share in the registered trade mark.
- (2)
- Subsections (3) to (6) apply where 2 or more persons are co-owners of a registered trade mark, whether by virtue of subsection (1) or otherwise.
- (3)
- Subject to subsection (4) and to any agreement to the contrary, each co-owner is entitled, by himself or his agents, to do for his own benefit and without the consent of or the need to account to any other co-owner, any act which would otherwise constitute an infringement of the registered trade mark.
(4) One co-owner may not without the consent of each other co-owner- - (a)
- grant a licence to use the registered trade mark; or
- (b)
- assign or charge his share in the registered trade mark.
- (5)
- Infringement proceedings may be brought under Part III (infringement of registered trade marks) by any coowner, but one co-owner may not, without the leave of the court, proceed with the action unless each other co-owner is either joined as a plaintiff or added as a defendant.
- (6)
- A co-owner who is added as a defendant as mentioned in subsection (5) shall not be made liable for any costs in the action unless he takes part in the proceedings.
(7) Nothing in this section affects the granting of interlocutory relief on the application of one co-owner alone.
- (8)
- Nothing in this section affects the mutual rights and obligations of trustees or personal representatives, or their rights and obligations as such.
(1) On application being made to the Registrar by (a) a person claiming to be entitled to an interest in or under a registered trade mark by virtue of a registrable transaction; or
- (b)
- any other person claiming to be affected by a registrable transaction, the prescribed particulars of the transaction shall be entered in the register.
- (2)
- The following are registrable transactions-
- (a)
- an assignment of a registered trade mark or any right in it;
- (b)
- the grant of a licence under a registered trade mark;
- (c)
- the granting of any security interest, whether fixed or floating, over a registered trade mark or any right in or under it;
- (d)
- the making by personal representatives of an assent in relation to a registered trade mark or any right in or under it; and
- (e)
- an order of a court, or any authority recognized by the Registrar as a competent authority, transferring a registered trade mark or any right in or under it.
- (3)
- Until an application has been made for registration of the prescribed particulars of a registrable transaction
- (a)
- the transaction is ineffective as against a person acquiring a conflicting interest in or under the registered trade mark in ignorance of the transaction; and
- (b)
- a person claiming to be a licensee by virtue of the transaction does not have the protection of section 35 (rights of licensees generally), section 36 (rights of certain exclusive licensees) or section 37 (rights of sub-licensees under certain exclusive licences).
- (4)
- Where a person becomes the owner or a licensee of a registered trade mark by virtue of a registrable transaction, then unless-
- (a)
- an application for registration of the prescribed particulars of the transaction is made before the end of the period of 6 months beginning on the date of the transaction; or
- (b)
- the court is satisfied that it was not practicable for such an application to be made before the end of
that period and that an application was made as soon as practicable thereafter, he is not entitled to damages or an account of profits in respect of any infringement of the registered trade mark occurring after the date of the transaction and before the prescribed particulars of the transaction are registered.
(5) Provision may be made by the rules as to- - (a)
- the amendment of registered particulars relating to a licence so as to reflect any alteration of the terms of the licence; and
- (b)
- the removal of such particulars from the register
- (i)
- where it appears from the registered particulars that the licence was granted for a fixed period and that period has expired; or
- (ii)
- where no such period is indicated and, after such period as may be prescribed, the Registrar has notified the parties of his intention to remove the particulars from the register.
- (6)
- Provision may also be made by the rules as to the amendment or removal from the register of particulars relating to a security interest on the application of, or with the consent of, the person entitled to the benefit of that interest.
- (1)
- No notice of any trust (whether express, implied or constructive) shall be entered in the register; and the Registrar shall not be affected by any such notice.
- (2)
- Subject to this Ordinance, equities in respect of a registered trade mark may be enforced in like manner as in respect of other personal property.
- (3)
- For greater certainty, nothing in this section prevents the registration of a trade mark, or the registration of particulars of a registrable transaction, in the name of a person as a trustee of a trust.
Expanded Cross Reference:
27, 28, 29, 30
- (1) Sections 27 to 30 (which relate to a registered trade mark as an object of property) apply, with any necessary modifications, in relation to an application for the registration of a trade mark as in relation to a registered trade mark. <* Note - Exp. X-Ref.: Sections 27, 28, 29, 30 *>
- (2) In section 28 (co-ownership of registered trade mark), as it applies in relation to an application for registration, the reference in subsection (1) of that section to the registration of a trade mark shall be construed as a reference to the making of the application.
- (3) In section 29 (registration of transactions affecting registered trade mark), as it applies in relation to a transaction affecting an application for the registration of a trade mark, the references to the entry of particulars in the register, and to the making of an application to register particulars, shall be construed as references to the giving of notice to the Registrar of those particulars.
| Section: | 31 | Application for registration of a trade mark as an object of property | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
| Section: | 32 | Interpretation | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
PART V
LICENSING OF REGISTERED TRADE MARKS
Preliminary
In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires-
"exclusive licence" (專用特許) means a licence, whether general or limited, authorizing the licensee to the exclusion of all other persons, including the person granting the licence, to use a registered trade mark in the manner authorized by the licence; and "exclusive licensee" (專用特許持有人) shall be construed accordingly;
"licence" (特許) includes a sub-licence; and "licensee" (特許持有人) shall be construed accordingly. | Section: | 33 | Licences may be general or limited | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
Licences - (1) A licence to use a registered trade mark may be general or limited.
- (2) A limited licence may, in particular, apply
- (a) in relation to some but not all of the goods or services for which the trade mark is registered; or
- (b) in relation to use of the trade mark in a particular manner or a particular locality.
- (3) A licence is not effective unless it is in writing and is signed by or on behalf of the grantor.
- (4) The requirement in subsection (3) may be satisfied in a case where the grantor is a corporation by the affixing of the seal of the corporation.
- (5) Unless the licence provides otherwise, it is binding on a successor in title to the grantor's interest; and references in this Ordinance to doing anything with, or without, the consent of the owner of a registered trade mark shall be construed accordingly.
(6) A licence may authorize a licensee to grant a sub-licence.
- (1) An exclusive licence may provide that the exclusive licensee shall, to such extent as may be provided by the licence, have the same rights and be entitled to the same remedies in respect of matters occurring after the grant of the licence as if the licence had been an assignment.
- (2) An exclusive licensee has the same rights against a successor in title who is bound by the licence as he has against the person granting the licence.
| Section: | 34 | Exclusive licence may provide same rights as assignment, etc. | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
Cap 559 - TRADE MARKS ORDINANCE
Infringement proceedings - (1)
- This section has effect with respect to the rights of a licensee in relation to the infringement of a registered trade mark but does not apply where or to the extent that-
- (a)
- by virtue of section 36(2) (rights of certain exclusive licensees), the licensee has a right to bring infringement proceedings in his own name; or
- (b)
- by virtue of section 37(2) (rights of sub-licensees under certain exclusive licences), a sub-licensee has the right to call on the exclusive licensee to take infringement proceedings in respect of any matter which affects the sub-licensee's interests.
- (2)
- A licensee is entitled, unless his licence or any licence through which his interest is derived provides otherwise, by notice in writing served on the owner of the registered trade mark, to call on the owner to take infringement proceedings in respect of any matter which affects the licensee's interests.
- (3)
- Unless the licence or any licence through which the licensee's interest is derived provides otherwise, if the owner of the registered trade mark
(a) refuses to do so; or
- (b)
- fails to do so within 1 month after being called on to do so, the licensee may bring the proceedings in his own name as if he were the owner.
- (4)
- Where infringement proceedings are brought by a licensee by virtue of this section, the licensee may not, without the leave of the court, proceed with the action unless the owner of the registered trade mark is either joined as a plaintiff or added as a defendant.
- (5)
- An owner of a registered trade mark who is added as a defendant as mentioned in subsection (4) shall not be made liable for any costs in the action unless he takes part in the proceedings.
(6) Nothing in subsection (4) affects the granting of interlocutory relief on application by a licensee alone.
- (7)
- In infringement proceedings brought by the owner of a registered trade mark, any loss suffered or likely to be suffered by licensees shall be taken into account; and the court may give such directions as it thinks fit as to the extent to which the plaintiff is to hold the proceeds of any pecuniary remedy on behalf of licensees.
- (1)
- This section applies in relation to an exclusive licensee if, or to the extent that, by virtue of section 34(1) (exclusive licence may provide same rights as assignment, etc.), he has the same rights and is entitled to the same remedies in respect of matters occurring after the grant of the licence as if the licence had been an assignment.
- (2)
- The exclusive licensee is entitled, subject to the provisions of the licence and to this section, to bring infringement proceedings in his own name against any person other than the owner of the registered trade mark.
- (3)
- The rights of the exclusive licensee and the remedies to which he is entitled are concurrent with those of the owner of the registered trade mark; and references to the owner of a registered trade mark in this Ordinance relating to infringement shall be construed accordingly.
- (4)
- In infringement proceedings brought by an exclusive licensee by virtue of this section, a defendant may avail himself of any defence which would have been available to him if the proceedings had been brought by the owner of the registered trade mark.
- (5)
- Where proceedings for infringement of a registered trade mark brought by the owner of the registered trade mark or an exclusive licensee relate wholly or partly to an infringement in respect of which they have concurrent rights of action, the owner or the exclusive licensee, as the case may be, may not, without the leave of the court, proceed with the action unless the other is either joined as a plaintiff or added as a defendant.
- (6)
- A person who is added as a defendant as mentioned in subsection (5) shall not be made liable for any costs in the action unless he takes part in the proceedings.
- (7)
- Nothing in subsection (5) affects the granting of interlocutory relief on application by the owner of a registered trade mark or an exclusive licensee alone.
- (8)
- Where proceedings for infringement of a registered trade mark are brought which relate wholly or partly to an infringement in respect of which the owner of the registered trade mark and an exclusive licensee have or had concurrent rights of action
- (a)
- the court shall in assessing damages take into account-
- (i)
- the terms of the licence; and
- (ii)
- any pecuniary remedy already awarded or available to either of them in respect of the infringement;
- (b)
- no account of profits shall be directed if an award of damages has been made, or an account of profits has been directed, in favour of the other of them in respect of the infringement; and
- (c)
- if an account of profits is directed, the court shall apportion the profits between them as the court considers just.
- (9)
- Subsection (8) applies whether or not the owner of the registered trade mark and the exclusive licensee are both parties to the proceedings; and if they are not both parties, the court may give such directions as it thinks fit as to the extent to which the party to the proceedings is to hold the proceeds of any pecuniary remedy on behalf of the other.
- (10)
- The owner of a registered trade mark shall notify any exclusive licensee who has a concurrent right of action before applying for an order under section 23 (order for delivery up); and the court may on the application of the licensee make such order under that section as it thinks fit having regard to the terms of the licence.
- (11)
- Subsections (5) to (10) have effect subject to any agreement to the contrary between the owner of the registered trade mark and the exclusive licensee.
- (1)
- This section applies in relation to a sub-licensee of an exclusive licensee if, or to the extent that, by virtue of section 36(2) (rights of certain exclusive licensees), the exclusive licensee has a right to bring infringement proceedings in his own name.
- (2)
- A sub-licensee is entitled, unless his sub-licence or any licence through which his interest is derived provides otherwise, by notice in writing served on the exclusive licensee, to call on the exclusive licensee to take infringement proceedings in respect of any matter which affects the sub-licensee's interests.
- (3)
- Unless the sub-licence or any licence through which the sub-licensee's interest is derived provides otherwise, if the exclusive licensee
(a) refuses to do so; or
- (b)
- fails to do so within 1 month after being called on to do so, the sub-licensee may bring the proceedings in his own name as if he were the exclusive licensee.
- (4)
- Where infringement proceedings are brought by a sub-licensee by virtue of this section, the sub-licensee may not, without the leave of the court, proceed with the action unless both the exclusive licensee and the owner of the registered trade mark are either joined as plaintiffs or added as defendants.
- (5)
- A person who is added as a defendant as mentioned in subsection (4) shall not be made liable for any costs in the action unless he takes part in the proceedings.
(6) Nothing in subsection (4) affects the granting of interlocutory relief on application by a sub-licensee alone.
PART VI
APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
Application for registration of trade mark - (1)
- An application for registration of a trade mark shall be filed with the Registrar in the prescribed manner.
- (2)
- The application shall include-
- (a)
- a request for registration of the trade mark;
- (b)
- the name and address of the applicant;
- (c)
- a statement of the goods or services in relation to which it is sought to register the trade mark;
- (d)
- a representation of the trade mark; and
- (e)
- such other information, documents or matter as may be required by the rules.
(3) The application shall state whether the trade mark is being used, by the applicant or with his consent, in relation to the goods or services in respect of which it is sought to be registered, and if it is not being so used, whether the applicant honestly intends to use the trade mark, or to allow it to be used, in relation to those goods or services.
(4) The application shall be filed in one of the official languages and shall also comply with the requirements of this Ordinance and the rules as to the provision of information in, or the translation of documents into, one or both of the official languages. - (5) The application shall be accompanied by the prescribed application fee and such other fees as may be prescribed.
- (1) The filing date of an application for registration of a trade mark is the date on which documents containing everything required by section 38(2)(a) to (d) (application for registration) are filed with the Registrar.
(2) If the documents are filed on different dates, the filing date is the last of those dates.
- (3) References in this Ordinance to the date of application for registration of a trade mark shall be construed as references to the filing date of the application for registration.
- (1) Goods and services shall be classified for the purposes of the registration of trade marks according to a prescribed system of classification.
- (2) Any question arising as to the class within which any goods or services fall shall be determined by the Registrar.
- (1) A person who has duly filed an application for the registration of a trade mark in, or in respect of, a Paris Convention country or WTO member, or his successor in title, shall enjoy, for the purpose of registering the same trade mark under this Ordinance in respect of any or all of the same goods or services, a right of priority for a period of 6 months after the date of filing of the first of any such applications, subject to compliance with any prescribed conditions. (Amended 10 of 2005 s. 35)
- (2) If the application for registration under this Ordinance is made within the 6-month period referred to in subsection (1)-
- (a) the relevant date for the purposes of establishing which rights take precedence shall be the date of filing of the first Convention application or WTO application, as the case may be; and
- (b) the registrability of the trade mark shall not be affected by any use of the trade mark in Hong Kong in the period between that date and the date of the application for registration under this Ordinance.
- (3) Any filing of an application for registration of a trade mark in, or in respect of, a Paris Convention country or WTO member which is equivalent to a regular national filing under the law of that Paris Convention country or WTO member, or under any bilateral or multilateral agreement to which it is a party, shall be recognized as giving rise to a right of priority.
- (4) In subsection (3), "regular national filing" (正規國家提交 ) means a filing of an application for registration of a trade mark in, or in respect of, a Paris Convention country or WTO member that establishes the date on which the application was filed, whatever the outcome of the application may be.
- (5) A subsequent application for registration of a trade mark that was the subject of a previous application, and that is filed in, or in respect of, the same Paris Convention country or WTO member, shall be considered as the first application for the purpose of determining priority if, and only if, on the date of filing of the subsequent application, the previous application has been withdrawn, abandoned or refused, without being open to public inspection and without leaving any rights outstanding, and has not served as a basis for claiming a right of priority.
- (6) The previous application referred to in subsection (5) may not thereafter serve as a basis for claiming a right of priority.
- (7) Provision may be made by the rules as to the manner of claiming a right to priority on the basis of a Convention application or WTO application, as the case may be.
- (8) A right to priority arising as a result of a Convention application or WTO application, as the case may be, may be assigned or otherwise transmitted, either with the application or independently; and the reference in subsection
- (1) to the person's "successor in title" (所有權繼承人) shall be construed accordingly.
- (9) In this section-"Convention application" (公約申請) means an application for registration of a trade mark in, or in respect of, a Paris
| Section: | 39 | Filing date | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
| Section: | 40 | Classification of goods and services | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
| Section: | 41 | Claim to priority | 10 of 2005 | 08/07/2005 |
Convention country;
"WTO application" (世貿申請) means an application for registration of a trade mark in, or in respect of, a WTO member. | Section: | 42 | Examination of application | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
Examination and publication - (1) The Registrar shall examine whether the application satisfies the requirements for registration under this Ordinance, including any requirements imposed by the rules for the purposes of this section.
- (2) For the purpose of subsection (1), the Registrar shall carry out a search of earlier trade marks to such extent as he considers necessary.
- (3) If it appears to the Registrar that the requirements for registration are not met, the Registrar shall, by notice in writing
- (a) inform the applicant of the Registrar's opinion;
- (b) inform him that he may make representations to the Registrar to establish that the requirements for registration are met or that he may amend the application so as to meet those requirements, but that he must do so within the prescribed period; and
- (c) inform him of the provisions of subsection (4).
(4) The Registrar shall refuse to accept the application if the applicant- - (a) fails to respond to the notice before the end of the period prescribed for the purposes of subsection (3)(b); or
- (b) fails, before the end of that period, to satisfy the Registrar that the requirements for registration are met or to amend the application so as to meet those requirements.
- (5) If it appears to the Registrar that the requirements for registration are met, he shall accept the application, but the Registrar may withdraw the acceptance at any time before particulars of the application have been published under section 43 (publication of particulars of application) if it appears to him that the application has been accepted in error.
(6) The Registrar shall notify the applicant in writing of any decision made by him under subsection (4) or (5). | Section: | 43 | Publication of particulars of application | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
Where the Registrar accepts an application for registration of a trade mark under section 42 (examination of application), particulars of the application shall be published in the official journal in accordance with the rules. | Section: | 44 | Opposition proceedings | L.N. 31 of 2003 | 04/04/2003 |
Opposition, withdrawal and amendment - (1) Any person may, within the prescribed period beginning on the date of publication of particulars of an application under section 43 (publication of particulars of application), give notice to the Registrar of opposition to the registration.
-