The new Trademark Law to be implemented from 1 May 2014 permits
applications for the registration of a trademark for goods in
multiple classes with one application and allows such application
to be submitted either in writing or in electronic format (article
22). The specific means of multiple-class application and
electronic submission await further clarification by the Trademark
Office.
Article 33 of the new law changes the entity that can file an
opposition based on relative grounds, from the existing "any
person" to "a prior rights holder or materially
interested party"; the entity that files an opposition based
on absolute grounds can still be "any person".
Of greater significance is that article 35 specifies that if the
Trademark Office renders a decision granting registration in a
ruling in an opposition procedure, the opposed trademark directly
secures registration. If the opponent is dissatisfied with the
decision, he or she is required to petition the
