HONGKONG TRADEMARK INSTRUCTION

Advantage
A successful trademark would not only increase the goodwill of a business, but also brings a better profit with the promotion of business from the trademark. For that reason, it is important to register your trademark for the business to ensure the knowledge and property rights of the trademark is fully protected. Applicant will receive the exclusive use of the trademark upon approval. In which legal actions can be taken by the applicant when a tort is found on the trademark. The legal actions would then allow the applicant to stop the tort on the trademark with also a possible compensation. Therefore, the best way to protect the goodwill of your business is to register a trademark.

Application Procedure
1. Search Before Registered
The trademark registration is basically running with a rule of “first-in first-serve”. Therefore, an application would not be accepted easily if it is containing words/figures that have already registered in other trademark. Thus, the first step for a trademark registration is to prepare 6 sets of sample (9cm X 9cm) for a registration search from the registry of knowledge and property rights. A result will then return in about 3 working days together with the tentative opinions or suggested modifications on the samples. Once the sample of the trademark is confirmed, the application can then proceed.

2. Applying for a trademark registration
A report will be returned from the trademark registry in about 2-3 months after the submission of application. The report will state clearly on the result of application and its restricted items.

3. Posting on the Gazette
The approved trademark will then be posted on the government gazette for public comments. If there is no reasonable objection received in 3-8 months, the registry of knowledge and property rights will then announce for the successful of the trademark registration in which a registered trademark certificate will also be issued to the applicant.

Service Charge
First Installment: RMB3,500.- (Should be paid before the search of registration - 3 free searches included)
Balance: RMB3,500.- (Should be paid after the approval from the trademark registry)
Total: RMB7,000

Remark
A registered trademark expires in 10 years with an extendable period of 10 years once it is expired.
The first installment of this service should be paid before the commencement of the registration search with no refund under any circumstances.
A third chance (free) will be provided if the first registration search is not accepted. (only one trademark registration search is allowed each time)