October 1, 2020, "Soft Launch" For Trademark Applications

Our December 19, 2019, newsletter reported Myanmar's "soft launch" of new trademark applications, which at the time was expected to commence on December 20, 2019. The new confirmed start date is now October 1, 2020. As noted in our earlier article, this new formal trademark system will supersede the prior system, where trademark holders could file declarations of ownership and publish Cautionary Notices. During the soft launch period, which is expected to last six months, owners of prior declarations of ownership may file official trademark applications, thus gaining priority over third parties who had not previously held such declarations, or who did hold such declarations but fail to file formal applications during the soft launch period.