In Lithuania, before registration of a trademark, the State Patent Bureau carries out an expertise according only absolute requirements for the trademark, which are indicated in the Lithuanian law on Trademarks (Art.5 and 6). Because Lithuanian law on Trademarks is harmonized with the provisions of First Council Directive 89/104/EEC of December 21, 1988 regarding approximation the laws of the member States relating to trademarks, therefore absolute grounds for refusal in Lithuania are practically the same as in the European Community.
This article seeks to provide a survey of the practice of the State Patent Bureau regarding refusals to register trademarks according absolute grounds.
Non-distinctive trademarks
