Intellectual Property Office
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Launch of the Public Consultation on the Modernisation and Consolidation of the Trade Marks Rules

Launch of the Public Consultation on the Modernisation and Consolidation of the Trade Marks Rules

UK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE News Release issued by The Government News Network on 3 March 2008

A public consultation on the amendment and consolidation of the Trade Mark Rules 2000 was launched today by Baroness Delyth Morgan, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Intellectual Property and Quality.

The proposals are set to achieve the following:-

1. Consolidation of the seven existing changes to Trade Mark Rules 2000 in order to increase accessibility and remove duplication, inconsistency and possible confusion.

2. Bring the UK Trade Marks system fully into line with international best practice and enable ratification of the Singapore Treaty on Trade Mark Law.

3. Make the Trade Marks tribunal system more flexible efficient and proportionate.

4. Introduce business changes so as to increase the speed and efficiency of registration procedures and reduce user costs.
Baroness Morgan said ;

"I welcome this consultation on Trade Marks Rules. We believe that the proposed changes will help ensure that the regulations in this area keep pace with modern business environments. We also want to minimise burdens on individuals and companies applying to register trade marks. I look forward to hearing the views of interested parties on the proposals."

Ian Fletcher, Chief Executive of the UK Intellectual Property Office said;

"The UK Intellectual Property Office is currently one of the world's leading offices for speed, cost and quality. The changes we want to introduce make the process or registering trade marks even more streamlined and efficient. I await with interest the results of the consultation."

Editor's notes

* The Trade Marks Rules 2000 (S.I. 2000/136, as amended) set out procedural and operational requirements which apply to trade marks and trade mark applications.

* The consultation document presents proposals to consolidate these Rules and also proposes some specific changes to some rules and seeks comments on these proposals. The (link to consultation doc) are available on this web site.

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