The new Trade Mark Ordinance and Rules finally went into effect on April 4, 2003. It was gazetted June 16, 2000, but was put off pending promulgation of the Trade Mark Rules and completion of an online search system. The new Ordinance fits into the Intellectual Property Department’s scheme to improve Hong Kong’s investment environment and enhance the protection of IPRs to assist in long-term economic growth. Some of the highlights of the new Ordinance are discussed below.
The Ordinance streamlines the registration process and increases protection for trade marks. Parts A and B have been deleted and there is now a single registration system. Application fees are lower, and there is no longer a separate fee for advertising or registration. Registration for one mark in one class has been reduced to HK$1,300 (US$167). Multi-class applications are now available, and the fee for each additional class is HK$650 (US$83).
