Overview of Hong Kong Trademark Registration

The Hong Kong Trademark Registry began operations in 1874 and is one of the oldest trademark registries in the world. In addition to registering product trademarks, it has also registered service marks in Hong Kong since 1992. From April 1996 to March 1997, the Trade Marks Registry received 16,708 applications, and the number of applications has been rising steadily over the past few years.

Trademark Registration

After the applicant applies to register a new trademark, if the criteria set by the Trademark Ordinance are met, the applicant will usually receive a notification within about ten months that the trademark can be applied for. Publication of announcements. Subsequently, members of the public can raise objections within the statutory period of two months if they have legal grounds. If there is no objection, the trademark can be registered generally after two months. Therefore, if no objection is raised, the entire registration process will take approximately 14 months. The validity period for a registered trademark to be protected by law will be calculated from the day the Hong Kong Trademark Registry receives a valid application.

Applicable international conventions

Since China has extended the Paris Convention to the Hong Kong SAR and Hong Kong, China is a member of the World Trade Organization, the trademark applicant must file the application in the Hong Kong SAR. If you apply, you will enjoy priority rights under the Paris Convention.