Businesses asked to comment on the trade mark application process
The Patent Office is seeking the formal views of the business community on whether it should continue to examine trade mark applications for clashes with earlier registered marks. This follows an initial pre-consultation last year to gauge strength of feeling on the issue.
The examination process is significant because a new trade mark application which clashes with earlier registrations can be refused by The Patent Office.
The consultation on this process, known as examination on "relative" grounds, details five options for a future system which The Patent Office hope will lead to a settled examination regime and an accessible system for all its users.
The consultation on this website will
be open until 17 May 2006. Businesses that would like to take part in the consultation should access
the consultation 
(162Kb) on this website.
For further information on the consultation, please contact:
Louise
White
Trade
Marks and Designs Directorate
The Patent Office
Concept House
Cardiff
Road
Newport
NP10 8QQ
Fax:
+44 (0) 1633
814122
Tel: +44 (0) 1633 814272
E-mail: relative@patent.gov.uk
