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Trade Marks Act 1994

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Trade Marks Act 1994 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 14 December 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Help about Changes to Legislation

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  1. Introductory Text

  2. Part I Registered trade marks

    1. Introductory

      1. 1. Trade marks.

      2. 2. Registered trade marks.

    2. Grounds for refusal of registration

      1. 3. Absolute grounds for refusal of registration.

      2. 4. Specially protected emblems.

      3. 5. Relative grounds for refusal of registration.

      4. 5A.Grounds for refusal relating to only some of the goods or services

      5. 6. Meaning of “earlier trade mark”.

      6. 6A. Raising of relative grounds in opposition proceedings in case of non-use

      7. 7. Raising of relative grounds in case of honest concurrent use.

      8. 8. Power to require that relative grounds be raised in opposition proceedings.

    3. Effects of registered trade mark

      1. 9. Rights conferred by registered trade mark.

      2. 10. Infringement of registered trade mark.

      3. 10A.Right to prevent goods entering the UK without being released for free circulation

      4. 10B.Prohibition on the use of a trade mark registered in the name of an agent or representative

      5. 11. Limits on effect of registered trade mark.

      6. 11A.Non-use as defence in infringement proceedings

      7. 12.Exhaustion of rights conferred by registered trade mark.

      8. 13. Registration subject to disclaimer or limitation.

    4. Infringement proceedings

      1. 14. Action for infringement.

      2. 15. Order for erasure, &c. of offending sign.

      3. 16. Order for delivery up of infringing goods, material or articles.

      4. 17.Meaning of “infringing goods, material or articles”.

      5. 18. Period after which remedy of delivery up not available.

      6. 19. Order as to disposal of infringing goods, material or articles.

      7. 20. Jurisdiction of sheriff court or county court in Northern Ireland.

    5. Unjustified threats

      1. 21.Threats of infringement proceedings

      2. 21A.Actionable threats

      3. 21B.Permitted communications

      4. 21C.Remedies and defences

      5. 21D.Professional advisers

      6. 21E.Supplementary: pending registration

      7. 21F.Supplementary: proceedings for delivery up etc.

    6. Registered trade mark as object of property

      1. 22. Nature of registered trade mark.

      2. 23.Co-ownership of registered trade mark.

      3. 24. Assignment, &c. of registered trade mark.

      4. 25. Registration of transactions affecting registered trade mark.

      5. 26. Trusts and equities.

      6. 27. Application for registration of trade mark as an object of property.

    7. Licensing

      1. 28. Licensing of registered trade mark.

      2. 29. Exclusive licences.

      3. 30. General provisions as to rights of licensees in case of infringement.

      4. 31. Exclusive licensee having rights and remedies of assignee.

    8. Application for registered trade mark

      1. 32. Application for registration.

      2. 33. Date of filing.

      3. 34. Classification of trade marks.

    9. Priority

      1. 35. Claim to priority of Convention application.

      2. 36. Claim to priority from other relevant overseas application.

    10. Registration procedure

      1. 37. Examination of application.

      2. 38. Publication, opposition proceedings and observations.

      3. 39. Withdrawal, restriction or amendment of application.

      4. 40. Registration.

      5. 41. Registration: supplementary provisions.

    11. Duration, renewal and alteration of registered trade mark

      1. 42. Duration of registration.

      2. 43. Renewal of registration.

      3. 44. Alteration of registered trade mark.

    12. Surrender, revocation and invalidity

      1. 45. Surrender of registered trade mark.

      2. 46. Revocation of registration.

      3. 47. Grounds for invalidity of registration.

      4. 48. Effect of acquiescence.

    13. Collective marks

      1. 49. Collective marks.

    14. Certification marks

      1. 50. Certification marks.

  3. Part II European Union trade marks and international matters

    1. European Union trade marks

      1. 51.Meaning of “European Union trade mark”

      2. 52. Power to make provision in connection with European Union Trade Mark Regulation.

      3. 52A.Certain trade marks registered as European Union trade marks to be treated as registered trade marks

    2. The Madrid Protocol: international registration

      1. 53. The Madrid Protocol.

      2. 54. Power to make provision giving effect to Madrid Protocol.

      3. 54A.Certain international trade marks protected in the European Union to be treated as registered trade marks

    3. The Paris Convention: supplementary provisions

      1. 55. The Paris Convention.

      2. 56. Protection of well-known trade marks: Article 6bis.

      3. 57. National emblems, &c. of Convention countries: Article 6ter.

      4. 58. Emblems, &c. of certain international organisations: Article 6ter.

      5. 59. Notification under Article 6ter of the Convention.

      6. 60. Acts of agent or representative: Article 6septies.

    4. Miscellaneous

      1. 61. Community trade marks and international matters

    5. Nice Classification

      1. 60A.Similarity of goods and services

  4. Part III Administrative and other supplementary provisions

    1. The registrar

      1. 62. The registrar.

    2. The register

      1. 63. The register.

      2. 64. Rectification or correction of the register.

      3. 65. Adaptation of entries to new classification.

    3. Powers and duties of the registrar

      1. 66. Power to require use of forms.

      2. 67. Information about applications and registered trade marks.

      3. 68. Costs and security for costs.

      4. 69. Evidence before registrar.

      5. 70. Exclusion of liability in respect of official acts.

      6. 71. Registrar’s annual report.

    4. Legal proceedings and appeals

      1. 72. Registration to be prima facie evidence of validity.

      2. 73. Certificate of validity of contested registration.

      3. 74. Registrar’s appearance in proceedings involving the register.

      4. 75. The court.

      5. 76. Appeals from the registrar.

      6. 77. Persons appointed to hear and determine appeals.

    5. Rules, fees, hours of business, &c.

      1. 78. Power of Secretary of State to make rules.

      2. 79. Fees.

      3. 80. Hours of business and business days.

      4. 81. The trade marks journal.

    6. Trade mark agents

      1. 82. Recognition of agents.

      2. 83. The register of trade mark attorneys

      3. 83A.Regulation of trade mark attorneys

      4. 84. Unregistered persons not to be described as registered trade mark agents.

      5. 85. Power to prescribe conditions, &c. for mixed partnerships and bodies corporate.

      6. 86. Use of the term “trade mark attorney”.

      7. 87. Privilege for communications with registered trade mark agents.

      8. 88. Power of registrar to refuse to deal with certain agents.

    7. Importation of infringing goods, material or articles

      1. 89. Infringing goods, material or articles may be treated as prohibited goods.

      2. 90. Power of Commissioners of Customs and Excise to make regulations.

      3. 91. Power of Commissioners for Revenue and Customs to disclose information.

    8. Offences

      1. 92. Unauthorised use of trade mark, &c. in relation to goods.

      2. 92A. Search warrants

      3. 93. Enforcement function of local weights and measures authority.

      4. 94. Falsification of register, &c.

      5. 95. Falsely representing trade mark as registered.

      6. 96. Supplementary provisions as to summary proceedings in Scotland.

    9. Forfeiture of counterfeit goods, &c.

      1. 97. Forfeiture: England and Wales or Northern Ireland.

      2. 98. Forfeiture: Scotland.

  5. Part IV Miscellaneous and general provisions

    1. Miscellaneous

      1. 99. Unauthorised use of Royal arms, &c.

      2. 99A.Reproduction of trade marks in dictionaries, encyclopaedias etc.

      3. 100. Burden of proving use of trade mark.

      4. 101. Offences committed by partnerships and bodies corporate.

    2. Interpretation

      1. 102. Adaptation of expressions for Scotland.

      2. 103. Minor definitions.

      3. 104. Index of defined expressions.

    3. Other general provisions

      1. 105. Transitional provisions.

      2. 106. Consequential amendments and repeals.

      3. 107. Territorial waters and the continental shelf.

      4. 108. Extent.

      5. 109. Commencement.

      6. 110. Short title.

  6. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE 1

      Collective marks

      1. General

        1. 1.The provisions of this Act apply to collective marks subject...

      2. Signs of which a collective mark may consist

        1. 2.In relation to a collective mark the reference in section...

      3. Indication of geographical origin

        1. 3.(1) Notwithstanding section 3(1)(c), a collective mark may be registered...

      4. Mark not to be misleading as to character or significance

        1. 4.(1) A collective mark shall not be registered if the...

      5. Regulations governing use of collective mark

        1. 5.(1) An applicant for registration of a collective mark must...

      6. Approval of regulations by registrar

        1. 6.(1) A collective mark shall not be registered unless the...

        2. 7.(1) The registrar shall consider whether the requirements mentioned in...

        3. 8.The regulations shall be published and notice of opposition may...

      7. Regulations to be open to inspection

        1. 9.The regulations governing the use of a registered collective mark...

      8. Amendment of regulations

        1. 10.(1) An amendment of the regulations governing the use of...

      9. Infringement: rights of authorised users

        1. 11.The following provisions apply in relation to an authorised user...

        2. 12.(1) The following provisions (which correspond to the provisions of...

      10. Grounds for revocation of registration

        1. 13.Apart from the grounds of revocation provided for in section...

      11. Grounds for invalidity of registration

        1. 14.Apart from the grounds of invalidity provided for in section...

    2. SCHEDULE 2

      Certification marks

      1. General

        1. 1.The provisions of this Act apply to certification marks subject...

      2. Signs of which a certification mark may consist

        1. 2.In relation to a certification mark the reference in section...

      3. Indication of geographical origin

        1. 3.(1) Notwithstanding section 3(1)(c), a certification mark may be registered...

      4. Nature of proprietor’s business

        1. 4.A certification mark shall not be registered if the proprietor...

      5. Mark not to be misleading as to character or significance

        1. 5.(1) A certification mark shall not be registered if the...

      6. Regulations governing use of certification mark

        1. 6.(1) An applicant for registration of a certification mark must...

      7. Approval of regulations, &c.

        1. 7.(1) A certification mark shall not be registered unless—

        2. 8.(1) The registrar shall consider whether the requirements mentioned in...

        3. 9.The regulations shall be published and notice of opposition may...

      8. Regulations to be open to inspection

        1. 10.The regulations governing the use of a registered certification mark...

      9. Amendment of regulations

        1. 11.(1) An amendment of the regulations governing the use of...

      10. Consent to assignment of registered certification mark

        1. 12.The assignment or other transmission of a registered certification mark...

      11. Infringement: rights of authorised users

        1. 13.The following provisions apply in relation to an authorised user...

        2. 14.In infringement proceedings brought by the proprietor of a registered...

      12. Grounds for revocation of registration

        1. 15.Apart from the grounds of revocation provided for in section...

      13. Grounds for invalidity of registration

        1. 16.Apart from the grounds of invalidity provided for in section...

    3. SCHEDULE 2A

      EUROPEAN UNION TRADE MARKS

      1. PART 1 Existing European Union trade marks

        1. 1.A trade mark registered as an existing EUTM to be treated as registered under this Act

        2. 2.Opt out

        3. 3.Entries to be made in the register in relation to a comparable trade mark (EU)

        4. 4.Comparable trade mark (EU) which derives from an EU Collective Mark or EU Certification Mark

        5. 5.Renewal of a comparable trade mark (EU) which expires within six months after IP completion day

        6. 6.Restoration of a comparable trade mark (EU)

        7. 7.Raising of relative grounds in opposition proceedings in case of non-use

        8. 8.Non-use as defence in infringement proceedings and revocation of registration of a comparable trade mark (EU)

        9. 9.Grounds for invalidity of registration of a trade mark based upon an earlier comparable trade mark (EU)

        10. 10.Reputation of a comparable trade mark (EU)

        11. 11.Rights conferred by registered trade mark

        12. 12.Effect of claim of priority

        13. 13.Effect of seniority claim

        14. 14.Determination of invalidity and liability to revocation in relation to claims of seniority

        15. 15.Procedure for declaration that trade mark would have been liable to be revoked or declared invalid

        16. 16.Assignment of an existing EUTM not registered on IP completion day

        17. 17.Effect of a licence of an existing EUTM

        18. 18.Effect of a security interest in an existing EUTM

        19. 19.Continuity of rights in relation to a comparable trade mark (EU)

        20. 20.Existing EUTM: pending proceedings

        21. 21.Existing EUTM: effect of injunction

        22. 21A. Existing EUTM: effect of invalidity or revocation

      2. PART 2 Treatment of European Union trade marks which expire during the period of six months ending on IP completion day

        1. 22.Registration of certain expired European Union trade marks

        2. 23.Renewal of an expired EUTM

      3. PART 3 Applications for European Union trade marks which are pending on IP completion day

        1. 24.Application of Part

        2. 25.Application for registration under this Act based upon an existing EUTM application

        3. 26.Right to claim seniority where seniority has been claimed by an existing EUTM application

        4. 27.Determination of invalidity and liability to revocation in relation to claim of seniority under paragraph 26

      4. PART 4 Restoration of European Union trade mark registrations and applications

        1. 28.Restoration of a European Union trade mark to the EUTM Register

        2. 29.Restoration of an application for a European Union trade mark

      5. PART 5 Interpretation

        1. 30.Interpretation

    4. SCHEDULE 2B

      INTERNATIONAL TRADE MARKS PROTECTED IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

      1. PART 1 Existing international trade marks protected in the European Union

        1. 1.An international trade mark protected in the European Union to be treated as registered under this Act

        2. 2.Opt out

        3. 3.Entries to be made in the register in relation to a comparable trade mark (IR)

        4. 4.Comparable trade mark (IR) which derives from a mark treated as an EU Collective Mark or EU Certification Mark

        5. 5.Renewal of a comparable trade mark (IR) which expires within six months after IP completion day

        6. 6.Restoration of a comparable trade mark (IR)

        7. 7.Raising of relative grounds in opposition proceedings in case of non-use

        8. 8.Non-use as defence in infringement proceedings and revocation of registration of a comparable trade mark (IR)

        9. 9.Grounds for invalidity of registration of a trade mark based upon an earlier comparable trade mark (IR)

        10. 10.Reputation of a comparable trade mark (IR)

        11. 11.Rights conferred by registered trade mark

        12. 12.Effect of disclaimer

        13. 13.Effect of claim of priority

        14. 14.Effect of seniority claim

        15. 15.Determination of invalidity and liability to revocation in relation to claims of seniority

        16. 16.Procedure for declaration that trade mark would have been liable to be revoked or declared invalid

        17. 17.Assignment of an existing IR(EU) not registered on IP completion day

        18. 18.Effect of a licence of an existing IR(EU)

        19. 19.Effect of a security interest in an existing IR(EU)

        20. 20.Continuity of rights in relation to a comparable trade mark (IR)

        21. 21.Existing IR(EU): pending proceedings

        22. 22.Existing IR(EU): effect of injunction

      2. PART 2 Treatment of international trade marks protected in the European Union which expire during the period of six months ending on IP completion day

        1. 23.Registration of certain expired international trade marks

        2. 24.Renewal of an expired IR(EU)

        3. 25.Renewal of an expired IR(EU): territorial extension under Article 3ter(1)

        4. 26.Renewal of an expired IR(EU): territorial extension under Article 3ter(2)

      3. PART 3 Applications for the extension of protection of international registrations to the European Union which are pending on IP completion day

        1. 27.Interpretation

        2. 28.Application for registration under this Act based upon an existing ITM application or an existing request for EU extension recorded in the International Register prior to IP completion day

        3. 29.Application for registration under this Act based upon an existing ITM application or an existing request for EU extension recorded in the International Register on or after IP completion day

        4. 30.Right to claim seniority where seniority has been claimed by an existing ITM application or an existing request for EU extension

        5. 31.Determination of invalidity and liability to revocation in relation to claim of seniority under paragraph 30

      4. PART 4 Transformation applications which are pending on IP completion day

        1. 32.Transformation applications

        2. 33.Application for registration based upon a cancelled international registration

      5. PART 5 Interpretation

        1. 34.Interpretation

    5. SCHEDULE 3

      Transitional provisions

      1. Introductory

        1. 1.(1) In this Schedule— “existing registered mark” means a trade...

      2. Existing registered marks

        1. 2.(1) Existing registered marks (whether registered in Part A or...

        2. 3.(1) A condition entered on the former register in relation...

      3. Effects of registration: infringement

        1. 4.(1) Sections 9 to 12 of this Act (effects of...

      4. Infringing goods, material or articles

        1. 5.Section 16 of this Act (order for delivery up of...

      5. Rights and remedies of licensee or authorised user

        1. 6.(1) Section 30 (general provisions as to rights of licensees...

      6. Co-ownership of registered mark

        1. 7.The provisions of section 23 of this Act (co-ownership of...

      7. Assignment, &c. of registered mark

        1. 8.(1) Section 24 of this Act (assignment or other transmission...

      8. Licensing of registered mark

        1. 9.(1) Sections 28 and 29(2) of this Act (licensing of...

      9. Pending applications for registration

        1. 10.(1) An application for registration of a mark under the...

      10. Conversion of pending application

        1. 11.(1) In the case of a pending application for registration...

      11. Trade marks registered according to old classification

        1. 12.The registrar may exercise the powers conferred by rules under...

      12. Claim to priority from overseas application

        1. 13.Section 35 of this Act (claim to priority of Convention...

        2. 14.(1) Where before the commencement of this Act a person...

      13. Duration and renewal of registration

        1. 15.(1) Section 42(1) of this Act (duration of original period...

      14. Pending application for alteration of registered mark

        1. 16.An application under section 35 of the 1938 Act (alteration...

      15. Revocation for non-use

        1. 17.(1) An application under section 26 of the 1938 Act...

      16. Application for rectification, &c.

        1. 18.(1) An application under section 32 or 34 of the...

      17. Regulations as to use of certification mark

        1. 19.(1) Regulations governing the use of an existing registered certification...

      18. Sheffield marks

        1. 20.(1) For the purposes of this Schedule the Sheffield register...

      19. Certificate of validity of contested registration

        1. 21.A certificate given before the commencement of this Act under...

      20. Trade mark agents

        1. 22.(1) Rules in force immediately before the commencement of this...

    6. SCHEDULE 4

      Consequential amendments

      1. General adaptation of existing references

        1. 1.(1) References in statutory provisions passed or made before the...

      2. Patents and Designs Act 1907 (c.29)

        1. 2.(1) The Patents and Designs Act 1907 is amended as...

      3. Patents, Designs, Copyright and Trade Marks (Emergency) Act 1939(c.107)

        1. 3.(1) The Patents, Designs, Copyright and Trade Marks (Emergency) Act...

      4. Trade Descriptions Act 1968 (c.29)

        1. 4.In the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, in section 34 (exemption...

      5. Solicitors Act 1974 (c.47)

        1. 5.(1) Section 22 of the Solicitors Act 1974 (preparation of...

      6. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c.24)

        1. 6.In Part III of Schedule 1 to the House of...

      7. Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 (c.34)

        1. 7.In Schedule 3 to the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976...

      8. Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (c.48)

        1. 8.(1) The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 is amended...

      9. Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (c.53)

        1. 9.In Part I of Schedule 1 to the Tribunals and...

    7. SCHEDULE 5

      Repeals and revocations

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