Several important amendments to the Polish Industrial Property
Act have recently entered into force.
The amendment that entered into force on April 15, 2016
introduced significant changes to the trademark registration
process, namely the Polish Patent Office (PPO) will no longer be
conducting the ex officio examination of trademark applications on
relative grounds, as the opposition system was introduced.
The PPO will be examining trademark applications only with
respect to formal issues and absolute grounds for refusal, and not
with respect to potential conflicts with prior trademarks. The PPO
will, however conduct searches on relative grounds, i.e. earlier
national and international trademarks designating Poland, and issue
and send search reports to applicants. However, these reports are
intended for informational purposes and are not legally
binding.
