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CTMO Starts to Provide Online Search of Trademark Registration Information to the Publicnew!

China handles 24,189 trademark cases

15 Well-known Trademarks Recognized by TRAB

64 More Well-known trademarks Recognized by SAIC in the Special Campaign

China Boasts Biggest Increase in International Trademark Applications in 2004

　CTMO Starts to Provide Online Search of Trademark Registration Information to the Public
China Trademark Office under State Administration for Industry and Commerce (hereafter referred to as CTMO) begins to open online search of trademark registration information to the public, as the reporter was informed in today’s press conference held by CTMO. In the press conference, Mr. An Qinghu, Director General of CTMO, made a brief introduction to automation construction of China’s trademark registration and administration, and announced that CTMO would Starts to provide online search of trademark registration information to the public. This means everybody can search relevant trademark registration information via “China Trademark Website” (http://www.ctmo.gov.cn/ or http://sbj.saic.gov.cn/ ) from December 26, 2005.

It is said that the trademark information available for search provided on the trademark registration information website includes the information concerning both registered trademarks and trademark applications.

There are three types of information search available on the website: search of identical or similar trademarks, search of general trademark information and search of trademark application status. Search of identical or similar trademarks refers to the search which is to find out whether the applicant’s trademark is identical with or similar to the trademark of another person that has, in respect of the same or similar goods, been registered or, after examination, preliminarily approved; search of general trademark information refers to the search to find out the information related to a trademark whose registration number (or application number), the name of applicant (or trademark owner) or trademark characters are already known. Search of trademark application status is to find out the present status of a trademark application in the workflow in accordance with application number or registration number.

There are mainly three features in respect of online search of trademark registration information: First, users are free to search on line; Second, the pre-application search provided to the public is basically similar to that used by trademark examiners in CTMO; Third, the trademark search database will be updated once a week.

He also points out that opening trademark online search to the public means China’s trademark automation, openness of government affairs and social service have reached a higher level, which will definitely contribute greatly to search of trademark information by the public, protecting the exclusive right to use a registered trademark and enhancing trademark awareness of the whole society.

Mr. An Qinghu also stresses that after the start of online search of trademark registration information service, CTMO will make every effort to provide as accurate trademark information as possible and keep updating the information in trademark search database. Once wrong information is found in searching, the public can submit correction advice through “Error Report” on the website, and CTMO will correct the relevant information in time after verification.

It is said that “China Trademark Website” is the only website for online search of trademark registration run by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC). The path to visit online search of trademark registration information system is: log onto “China Trademark Website”, click “Trademark Search” and then you will enter the search system.

China handles 24,189 trademark cases

(Xinhua) Statistics show that China has handled 24,189 trademark infringement cases and seized more than 167 million pieces of illegal audio-video products and pirated products since the country launched a massive crackdown on IPR violations last September.

In addition, China has destroyed 24 illegal CD production lines and closed down 2,960 illegal printing workshops during this time, said Zhang Zhigang, office director of the State Work Group on Intellectual Property Rights Protection and also vice minister of commerce, at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office.

“A magnificent momentum and a sound situation have shown up in China's IPR protection," said Zhang.

15 Well-known Trademarks Recognized by TRAB

In accordance with the arrangement of the Special Campaign on IPR Protection launched by the State Council and the Special Campaign on the Protection of the Exclusive Right to Use a Registered Trademark launched by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board under SAIC (TRAB)further strengthened the protection of well-known trademarks. 15 trademarks such as “安吉尔” have been accordingly recognized as well-known trademarks in recent examination, which effectively safeguard the rights and interests of owners of well-known trademarks as well as the market order in respect of fair competition.

64 More Well-known trademarks Recognized by SAIC in the Special Campaign

Since the launch of the Special Campaign to Protect the Exclusive Right to Use a Registered Trademark last year, the Trademark Office (CTMO) under the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) and local Administration for Industry and Commerce (AIC) at all levels through China have been strengthening the protection on well-known trademarks in light of the arrangement of the State Council concerning the Special Campaign on IPR Protection and SAIC’s requirement. Recently, CTMO has recognized another 64 well-known trademarks, 59 of which were recognized in trademark administrative cases submitted by local AICs, and 5 of which were recognized in trademark opposition cases (including one opposition case in international trademark registration under Madrid system).

Among the 64 newly recognized well-known trademarks, 60 were registered by Chinese enterprises (including 2 state-owned enterprises, 3 foreign-owned enterprises, 5 foreign-invested enterprises, 49 enterprises of other types and 1 enterprise is from HK SAR), and 4 were registered by foreign enterprises (namely: 2 Japanese, 1 British and 1 French enterprise). Besides, this is the first time for CTMO to recognize well-known trademarks in such three classes of goods and services as newspapers and periodicals, financing services, leasing of real estate as well as real estate management.

By now, CTMO has recognized 126 Chinese and foreign well-known trademarks in the Special Campaign to Protect the Exclusive Right to Use a Registered Trademark, which has effectively protected the legitimate rights and interests of well-known trademark owners.

China Boasts Biggest Increase in International Trademark Applications in 2004

China joined Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks and Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks in 1989 and 1995 respectively, becoming a member of the international trademark registration system, known as the Madrid system, which has provided an convenient, rapid and economical way of international trademark registration for Chinese enterprises in implementing “Going Global” and protecting their rights and interests in other countries.

Since China became party to the Madrid system, the number of Chinese enterprises using the system to apply for international trademark registration has been increasing annually. Especially after China entered the World Trade Organization, in order to help Chinese enterprises to carry out “Going Global” strategy to take part in international competition, the China Trademark Office (CTMO) under the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) has been working hard to promote the publicity of the Madrid system, which has enabled a great number of Chinese enterprises to know the advantages and benefit from it. Meanwhile, CTMO actively provide Chinese enterprises with instructions concerning international registration and protection of their rights and interests in foreign countries.

Use of the international trademark registration system reached a record level in 2004 with the receipt of 29,459 international trademark applications representing a 23.5% increase on figures for 2003. By the end of 2004, 138,280 people have obtained 424,000 registrations. Suppose every international registration apply for 12 countries in average, this number equals 5,000,000 national registration.

WIPO's statistics show that China has the biggest increase rate of the international trademark registration, with an increase of 1015 files, 115% more than that of 2003. According to the statement of Mr. Ernesto Rubio, WIPO Assistant Director General, China is the only developing country among the top ten biggest users.

Top Ten Countries with Most Applications in 2004

Top Ten Countries with Highest Increase Rate in 2004