Commonwealth Consolidated Regulations

[Index] [Table] [Search] [Search this Regulation] [Notes] [Noteup] [Download] [Help]

TRADE MARKS REGULATIONS 1995 - NOTES

- made under the Trade Marks Act 1995

Statutory Rules 1995 No. 341 as amended

This compilation was prepared on 1 July 2008
taking into account amendments up to SLI 2008 No. 122

Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
Attorney‑General's Department, Canberra


Contents

Part 1                    Preliminary                                                                 

                      1.1     Name of regulations [see Note 1]                                     14

                      1.2     Commencement                                                            14

Part 2                    Interpretation                                                             

                      2.1     Interpretation                                                                 15

                      2.2     Period expressed in months                                            16

Part 3                    Trade marks and trade mark rights                     

                      3.1     Classification of goods and services                                 17

                      3.2     Period in which action for infringement may be brought      17

Part 3A                 Assisted filing service                                             

Division 1                General                                                                          

                   3A.1     Purpose of Part                                                              18

                   3A.2     Definitions for Part                                                          18

Division 2                Request for filing assistance                                          

                   3A.3     Request for filing assistance -- form of request                 18

                   3A.4     AFS request -- assessment by Registrar                        20

                   3A.5     AFS request -- formal requirements for amendment or proceeding to Part 4 application            20

Part 4                    Application for registration                                    

                      4.1     Applications -- approved form                                         23

                      4.2     Application in approved form -- requirements for filing        23

                 4.2AA     Divisional application -- additional requirement for filing     24

                   4.2A     AFS request submitted as application -- requirements for filing           24

                      4.3     Representation of trade marks                                         24

                      4.4     Specification of goods and/or services                              26

                      4.5     Period for claiming priority for an application                     27

                      4.6     How to claim priority                                                       27

                      4.7     Publication of particulars of application                             27

                      4.8     Examination of application -- report to applicant               28

                      4.9     Examination -- applicant's response to report                  29

                    4.10     Examination -- further report to applicant                         29

                    4.11     Examination -- additional requirements                           30

                    4.12     Periods after which applications lapse                              30

                    4.13     Deferment of acceptance                                                31

                    4.14     Period for which acceptance is deferred                           33

                    4.15     Trade marks containing etc certain signs                         36

                  4.15A     Grounds for rejection -- trade mark identical etc to trade mark protected under Madrid Protocol 36

                    4.18     Request for expedited examination of application              38

                    4.19     Expedited examinations                                                 39

Part 5                    Opposition to registration                                      

                      5.1     Time for filing notice of opposition                                    40

                      5.2     Extension of time for filing -- grounds                              40

                      5.3     Extension of time for filing -- applications                        41

                      5.4     Extension of time for filing -- grant of extension                41

                      5.5     Copy of earlier application to be available to opponent       42

                      5.6     Opposition proceedings                                                  43

                      5.7     Evidence in support                                                        43

                      5.8     Notice that opponent will not rely on evidence in support    43

                      5.9     Evidence in answer                                                        43

                    5.10     Period for service of a copy of the evidence in answer        44

                    5.11     Notice that applicants will not rely on evidence in answer   44

                    5.12     Evidence in reply to evidence in answer                            45

                    5.13     Notice that opponents will not rely on evidence in reply to evidence in answer   45

                    5.14     Hearing of opposition                                                      46

                    5.15     Extension of period to serve evidence and service of further evidence    47

                    5.16     Conduct of opposition proceedings generally                    48

                    5.17     Registrar to give notice of dismissal of proceedings           48

                    5.18     Grounds for opposition to registration of a trade mark -- trade mark identical etc to trade mark protected under Madrid Protocol                                      48

                    5.19     Amendment of notice of opposition                                  50

Part 6                    Amendment of application for registration of a trade mark and other documents                                                                 

                      6.1     Amendment of applications by Registrar                          51

                      6.2     Request to amend before publication of details                 51

                      6.3     Filing of declarations                                                      51

                      6.4     Notification of amendments                                             52

                      6.5     Amendment after particulars published -- notice of opposition 52

                      6.6     Amendment after particulars published -- opposition proceedings       52

Part 7                    Registration of trade marks                                   

Division 1                Initial registration                                                           

                      7.1     Period in which a trade mark can be registered                 53

                      7.2     Particulars to be entered in the Register                           54

Division 2                Renewal of registration (general)                                  

                      7.3     Period for request for renewal                                          54

                      7.4     Notice of renewal due -- when and how given                   55

                      7.5     Notice of renewal                                                           55

Division 3                Renewal of registration (registration delayed for 10 or more years after filing date)       

                      7.6     Prescribed period (Act s 80A (3))                                     55

5>                      7.7     Notice about renewal (Act s 80C)                                    55

5>                      7.8     Notice of renewal (Act s 80E)                                          56

Part 8                    Amendment and cancellation of registration    

                      8.1     Notice of cancellation                                                     57

                   8.1A     Notice of revocation                                                        57

                      8.2     Amendment or cancellation -- matters for the court          58

                      8.3     Grounds for application for rectification of Register -- registered trade mark identical etc to trade mark protected under Madrid Protocol                              58

Part 9                    Removal of trade mark from register for non‑use         

                      9.1     Applications for removal etc                                            59

                      9.2     Notification of applications                                              59

                      9.3     Notice of opposition to removal                                        59

                      9.4     Opposition proceedings before the Registrar                     60

Part 10                  Assignment and transmission of trade marks  

                    10.1     Applications for assignment etc to be recorded or entered 61

                    10.2     Recording of assignment etc -- trade marks not registered 61

                    10.3     Particulars of recorded assignment or transmission to be published     62

                    10.4     Recording of assignment etc of registered trade marks      63

                    10.5     Notice to persons recorded as claiming right or interest in trade marks            64

Part 11                  Voluntary recording of claims to interests in and rights in respect of trade marks                                                                           

                    11.1     Amendment of particulars -- claimed interests or rights    65

                    11.2     Amendment of name, address and address for service -- claims not in the Register     65

                    11.3     Cancellation of particulars -- claimed interests or rights    66

Part 13                  Importation of goods infringing Australian trade marks          

                    13.1     Notice of objection to importation ¾ accompanying documents           68

                    13.2     Notice of objection to importation -- authorised users       68

                    13.3     Period for compliance with Customs CEO's request for information etc            69

                    13.4     Modification of the Act in its application to Norfolk Island   69

                    13.5     Modification of the Act in its application to Christmas Island 69

                    13.6     Modification of the Act in its application to Cocos (Keeling) Islands      69

Part 16                  Certification trade marks                                        

                    16.1     Copy of rules to be filed                                                  70

                    16.2     Documents to be sent to Commission                             70

                    16.3     Initial assessment of applications by Commission             70

                    16.4     Holding of conferences                                                   72

                    16.5     Consideration of applications                                           73

                    16.6     Criteria for Commission consideration of rules                   74

5>                    16.7     Matters to be included in advertisement of adverse decision 74

                    16.8     Applications to vary rules                                                75

5>                    16.9     Consideration of applications to vary rules                        75

5>                  16.10     Decision on variation of rules                                           75

5>                16.10A     Assignment of unregistered certification trade marks         76

                  16.11     Assignment of registered certification trade marks            77

                  16.12     Publication of rules                                                         78

Part 17                  Defensive trade marks                                            

                    17.1     Evidence in support of applications                                  80

                    17.2     Defensive trade mark based on protected international trade mark       80

Part 17A               Protected international trade marks under the Madrid Protocol       

Division 1                General                                                                          

                  17A.1     Purpose of Part                                                              82

                  17A.2     Definitions for Part                                                          82

                  17A.3     Meaning of priority date                                                   83

                  17A.4     Meaning of date of effect                                                84

Division 2                Application for international registration of a trade mark

                  17A.5     Purpose of Division                                                         84

                  17A.6     Eligibility to apply for international registration                   85

                  17A.7     Application for international registration                            85

                  17A.8     Functions of Registrar                                                    85

                  17A.9     Time limit for Registrar to send application to International Bureau       86

                17A.10     Subsequent designations                                                86

Division 3                International registration designating Australia             

                17A.11     Purpose of Division                                                         87

                17A.12     Registrar to examine, and report on, IRDA                        87

                17A.13     Use of trade mark                                                          87

                17A.14     Specification of goods and services                                 88

              17A.14A     Representation of trade marks                                         88

                17A.15     Claim for priority                                                             88

                17A.16     Examination of IRDA -- report to holder                           89

                17A.17     Examination -- holder's response to report                      90

                17A.18     Examination -- further report to holder                             90

                17A.19     Examination -- additional requirements                           91

                17A.20     Period within which final decision on examination must be notified       91

                17A.21     Deferment of acceptance                                                92

                17A.22     Period for which acceptance is deferred                           94

                17A.23     Expedited examination                                                   96

                17A.24     Final decision on examination                                         97

                17A.25     Notice of final decision on examination                             97

                17A.26     Appeal                                                                          98

                17A.27     Revocation of acceptance                                               98

                17A.28     Grounds for rejecting IRDA                                              99

                17A.29     Opposition                                                                   100

                17A.30     Extension of time for filing                                             100

                17A.31     Grounds for opposing IRDA                                           100

                17A.32     Circumstances in which opposition may proceed in name of a person other than the person who filed the notice                                                             101

                17A.33     Opposition proceedings                                                101

                17A.34     Decision on opposition                                                  102

                17A.35     Appeal                                                                        102

international registration           

              17A.35A     Cancellation                                                                 103

              17A.35B     Duties and powers of Registrar -- notification of limitation by International Bureau         103

                17A.36     When trade mark becomes a protected international trade mark          104

                17A.37     Notice that trade mark is a protected international trade mark 106

                17A.38     Disclaimer                                                                   107

Division 4                Protected international trade marks -- rights and protection      

                17A.39     Rights given to, and protection of, protected international trade marks  107

                17A.40     Circumstances in which action may not be brought         109

Division 5                Protected international trade marks -- amendment or cessation of protection   

because of cancellation, limitation or non‑renewal of international registration                                                                     

                17A.41     Cancellation of international registration                          109

              17A.41A     Duties and powers of Registrar -- notification of limitation by International Bureau         109

                17A.42     Failure to renew international registration                        111

Registrar                   

              17A.42A     Registrar's powers to amend or cease protection            111

              17A.42B     Notice to be given                                                         113

              17A.42C     Hearings and procedure                                                114

              17A.42D     Effect of amendment or cessation of protection by Registrar 114

              17A.42E     Registrar to notify Customs CEO                                   115

              17A.42F     Appeal to Federal Court                                                116

prescribed court     

                17A.43     Amendment or cessation of protection -- contravention of condition     116

                17A.44     Amendment or cessation of protection -- loss of exclusive rights to use trade mark      116

                17A.45     Amendment or cessation of protection -- other specified grounds        117

                17A.46     Amendment or cessation may not be granted if holder not at fault etc  118

                17A.47     Duties and powers of Registrar                                      119

                17A.48     Cessation of protection for non‑use                                119

Division 6                Collective and certification trade marks                        

                17A.49     Collective trade marks                                                  121

                17A.50     Certification trade marks                                               122

Division 7                Transformation of cancelled international registrations

                17A.51     Application of Division                                                   123

                17A.52     Transformation of IRDA                                                 124

                17A.53     Transformation of protected international trade mark        124

Division 8                Concurrence between registration and international registration           

                17A.54     Effect of registration and protection of the same trade mark 125

                17A.55     Effect of cancellation, removal or expiry of registered trade mark          126

Division 9                Change in ownership of international registration         

                17A.56     Application of Division                                                   126

                17A.57     Collective trade marks                                                  126

                17A.58     Protected certification trade marks                                 126

              17A.58A     Unprotected certification trade marks                             127

                17A.59     Trade marks affected by claimed interests and rights       127

                17A.60     Recording change of ownership                                     128

Division 10              Recording of claimed interests and rights                      

                17A.61     Application to have claims recorded                               128

                17A.62     Recording of claims                                                      128

                17A.63     Notification of matters affecting trade mark                     128

                17A.64     Record not proof etc of existence of right etc                  128

                17A.65     Amendment or cancellation of record                             129

Division 11              Miscellaneous                                                                

                17A.66     Record of International Registrations                              129

                17A.67     Inspection                                                                    130

                17A.68     Evidence -- the Record of International Registrations      130

                17A.69     Evidence -- international instruments                             131

                17A.70     Correction of errors or omissions in Record of International Registrations          131

                17A.71     Passing off actions                                                       132

                17A.72     Documents to be made available for public inspection      132

                17A.73     Security for costs                                                         132

Part 19                  Administration                                                           

                    19.1     Trade Marks Office and sub‑offices -- business hours     133

                    19.2     Persons to whom Registrar may delegate (Act, s 206 (1)) 133

Part 20                  Registered trade marks attorneys                       

Division 1                General                                                                          

                    20.1     Interpretation                                                                134

Division 2                Obtaining registration for first time                                

                    20.2     Form of application                                                       134

                    20.3     Evidence that applicant meets registration requirements  134

                    20.4     Certificate of registration                                               135

                    20.5     Evidence of academic qualifications                               135

                    20.6     Academic qualifications                                                136

                    20.7     Evidence of knowledge requirements                              136

                    20.8     Knowledge requirements                                               136

                    20.9     Exemption from a requirement in Schedule 5 to Patents Regulations   138

                  20.10     Prescribed offences                                                      138

                  20.11     Application of Schedule 5 to Patents Regulations            139

Division 3                Accreditation of courses of study                                   

                  20.12     Accreditation of courses of study                                   139

Division 4                Board examinations                                                       

                  20.13     Board examinations                                                      139

Division 5                Maintaining registration, removal from Register and returning to Register         

                  20.14     Maintaining registration, removal from Register and returning to Register          140

Division 6                Discipline                                                                       

                  20.15     Discipline                                                                    140

Division 7                Rights of registered trade marks attorneys                     

                  20.16     Lien                                                                            141

Part 21                  Miscellaneous                                                           

Division 1                Applications and other documents                                 

                    21.1     Compliance with instructions on approved forms              142

                    21.2     Filing of documents -- requirements as to form               142

                    21.3     Filing of documents -- common requirements                 143

                    21.4     Filing of documents -- treatment of non‑complying documents            143

                    21.5     Filing of documents -- date of receipt to be marked        143

                    21.6     Declarations                                                                144

                    21.7     Declarations -- additional material                                 145

                    21.8     Notification of service                                                    146

                    21.9     Notice of withdrawal of applications etc                          146

                  21.10     Withdrawal of application etc -- Registrar's notice to applicants          146

                  21.11     Change of address for service -- notice to interested persons 147

                21.11A     Documents to be made available for public inspection      147

Division 2                Proceedings before the Registrar                                  

                  21.12     Applications for costs                                                   148

                  21.13     Determination of costs                                                  149

                  21.14     Conduct of proceedings generally                                  149

                  21.15     Hearings by Registrar                                                   150

                  21.16     Registrar not required to hold hearings                           151

                  21.17     Evidence in proceedings                                               151

                  21.18     Documents not in English                                             152

                  21.19     Registrar may use information available                          152

                  21.20     Statements of reasons for decision                                152

Division 3                General                                                                          

                  21.21     What fees are payable                                                  153

                21.21A     No action permitted until fee paid                                   154

                  21.22     How fees are to be paid           &nb