Hong Kong, being a global financial and trade hub and one of Asia's most cosmopolitan cities, as well as an autonomous region of China, serves as a window into mainland China. Hong Kong has its own trademark system separate from mainland China under the one country, two systems political structure. Therefore, safeguarding a HongKong trademark within Hong Kong holds considerable importance.
What kind of trademarks may be registered in Hong Kong?
A symbol that identifies one trader's goods and services from those of another can be registered as an official trademark. A HongKong trademark registration can usually include words (including human names), indications, concepts, letters, numerals, characters, figurative components, colors, sounds, fragrances, the shape of the products or their wrapping, or any arrangement of these. A symbol must be able to be represented visually before it can be recognized as a trademark.
The categorization is based on the Worldwide Classification of Products and Services, and Hong Kong accepts multi-class trademark applications.
The procedure of registering a trademark in Hong Kong
Procedure
· Filing an application
· checking for deficiencies
· substantive examination
· publication inviting opposition (3 months)
· And registration.
If there are no faults in the petition and no objections to the trademark utilization, the entire application procedure could take as few as 6 months, from receipt to registration. The HongKong trademark registration is valid for ten years from the beginning of registration and can be renewed every ten years from the expiration of the previous registration.
Final thoughts
The expense of registration is little, but the hazards of failing to register are limitless. If the Hong Kong market is critical to the success of a brand's products, registering a trademark can safeguard trademark rights regionally. The decision of trademark within Hong Kong as well as how to protect gets determined by the individual's demands.
Please be aware that trademark practice may change in accordance with policy requirements. All information should be pursuant to the Trade Marks Regulations and the publishing of the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department.
In the present highly competitive economy, it is imperative for business firms, organizations, conglomerates, and startups to know and understand the importance of Trademark Registration for flourishing their businesses.
