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UPDATE COMPLETE ACT


The Trade Marks Act, 1999
(Act no. 47 of 1999)
Preamble
(Act No. 47 of 1999)
An Act to amend and consolidate the law relating to trade marks, to provide for
registration and better protection of trade marks for goods and services and for the
prevention of the use of fraudulent marks.
Be it enacted by Parliament in the Fiftieth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-
Comment: This Act replaces the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958 (43 of 1958)
which is repealed by this Act.
Chapter 1 Preliminary
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
(1) This Act may be called the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
(2) It extend to the whole of India.
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification
in the Official Gazette, appoint:
Provided that different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act, and
any reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed
as a reference to the coming into force of that provision.
2. Definitions and interpretation.-- (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise
requires, -
(a) "Appellate Board" means the Appellate Board established under section 83:
(b) "assignment" means an assignment in writing by act of te parties concerned;
© "associated trade Marks" means trade marks deemed to be, or required to be,
registered as associated trade marks under this Act;
(d) "Bench " means a Bench of the Appellate Board;
(e) "certification trade mark" means a mark capable of distinguishing the goods or service
in connection with which it is used in the course of trade which are certified by the
proprietor of the mark in respect of origin, material, mode of manufacture of goods or
performance of service not so certified and registrable as such under Chapter IX in
respect of those goods or service in the name, as proprietor of the certification trade
mark, of that person;
(f) "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Appellate Board.
(g) "collective mark" means a trade mark distinguishing the goods or services of
members of an association of persons (not being a partnership within the meaning of the
Indian Partnership Act, 1932 (9 of 1932) which is the proprietor of the mark from those
of others.
(h) "deceptively similar", - A mark shall be deemed to be deceptively similar to another
mark if it so nearly resembles that other mark as to be likely to deceive or cause
confusion.


(i) "false trade description" means-
(I) a trade description which is untrue or misleading in a material respect as regards the
goods or services to which it is applied or
(II) any alteration of a trade description as regards the goods or services to which it is
applied, whether by way of addition, effacement or otherwise, where that alteration
makes the description untrue or misleading in a material respect, or
(III) any trade description which denotes or implies that there are contained, as regards
the goods to which it is applied, more yards or meters than there are contained therein
standard yards or standard meters, or
(IV) any marks or arrangement or combination thereof when applied-
(a) to goods in such a manner as to be likely to lead persons to believe that the goods are
the manufacture or merchandise of some person other than the person whose merchandise
or manufacture they really are.
(b) in relation to services in such a manner as to be likely to lead persons to believe that
the services are provided or rendered by some persons other than the person whose
services they really are, or
(V) any false name or initials of a person applied to goods or service in such manner as if
such name or initials were a trade description in any case where the name or initials-
(a) is or are not a trade mark or part of a trade mark, and
(b) is or are identical with or deceptively similar to the name or initials of a person
carrying on business in connection with goods or services of the same description or both
and who has not authorized the use of such name or initials, and
© is or are either the name or initials of a fictions person or some person not bona fide
carrying on business in connection with such goods or services.
And the fact that a trade description is a trade mark or part of a trade mark shall not
prevent such trade description being a false trade description within the meaning of this
Act.
(j) "goods" means anything which is the subject of trade or manufacture.
(k) "Judicial Member" means a Member of the Appellate Board appointed as such under
this Act, and includes the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman.
(l) "limitations" (with its grammatical variations) means any limitation of the exclusive
right to the use of a trade mark given by the registration of a person as proprietor thereof,
including limitations of that right a to mode or area of use within India or outside India.
(m) "mark" includes a device, brand, heading, lable, ticket, name, signature, word, letter,
numeral, shape of goods, packaging or combination of colours or any combination
thereof.
(n) "Member" means a Judicial Member or a Technical Member of the Appellate Board
and includes the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman.
(o) "name" includes and abbreviation of a name.
(p) "notify" means to notify in the Trade Mark Journal published by the Registrar.
(q) "package" includes any case, box, container, covering, folder, recetacle, vessel,
casket, bottle, wrapper, labler, band, ticket, reel, frame, capsule, cap, lid, stopper and
cork.
® "permitted use: in relation to a registered trade mark, means the use of trade mark-
(i) by a registered user of the trade mark in relation to goods or service-
(a) with which he is connected in the course of trade, and


(b) in respect of which the trade mark remains registered for the time being, and
© for which he is registered as registered user, and
(d) which complies with any conditions or limitations to which the registration of
registered user is subject, or
(ii) by a person other than the registerd proprietor and registered user in relation to goods
or services-
(a) with which he is connected in the course of trade, and
(b) in respect of which the trade mark remains registered for the time being, and
© by consent of such registered proprietor in a written agreement, and
(d) which complies with any conditions or limitations to which such user is subject and to
which the registration of the trade mark is subject.
(s) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act.
(t) "register" means the Register of Trade Mark referred to in sub-section (1) of section6.
(u) "registered" (with its grammatical variations) means registered under this Act.
(v) "registered proprietor" in relation to a trade mark, means the person for the time being
entered in the register as proprietor of the trade mark.
(w) "registered trade mark" means a trade mark which is actually on the register and
remaining in force.
(x) "registered user" means a person who is for the time being registered as such under
section 49.
(y) "Registrar" means the Registrar of Trade Mark referred to in section 3.
(z) "service" means service of any description which is made available to potential users
and includes the provisions of services in connection with business of any industrial or
commercial matters such as banking, communication, education, financing, insurance,
chit funds, real estate, transport, storage, material treatment, processing, supply of
electrical or other energy, boarding, lodging, entertainment, amusement, construction,
repair, conveying of news or information and advertising.
(za) "trade description" means any description, statement or other indication, direct or
indirect,-
(i) as to the number, quantity, measure, gauge or weight of any goods, or
(ii) as to the standard of quality of any goods or services according to a classification
commonly used or recognized in the trade, or
(iii) as t fitness fr the purpose, strength, performance or behaviour of any goods, being
"drug" as defined in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 194)) or "food" as defined
in the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 (37 of 1954), or
(iv) as to the place or country in which or the time at which any goods or services were
made, produced or provided, as the case may be, or
(v) as to the name and address or other indication of the identity of the manufacturer or of
the person providing the services of the person for whom the goods are manufactured or
services are provided, or
(vi) as to the mode of manufacture or producing any goods or providing services, or
(vii) as to the material of which any goods are composed, or
(viii) as to any goods being the subject of an existing patent, privilege or copyright, and
includes-
(a) any description as to the use of any mark which according to the custom of the trade is
commonly taken to be an indication of any of the above matters.


(b) the description as to any imported goods contained in any bill of entry or shipping
bill.
© any other description which is likely to be misunderstood or mistaken for all or any of
the said matters.
(zb) "trade mark" means a mark capable of being represented graphically and which is
capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one person from choose of others and
may include shape of goods, their packaging and combination of colours, and
in relation to Chapter XII (other than section 107), a registered trade mark or mark used
in relation to goods or services for the purpose of indicating or so as to indicate a
connection in the course of trade between the goods or services, as the case may be, and
some person having the right as proprietor to use the mark, and
in relation to other provisions of this Act, a mark used or proposed to be used in relation
to goods or services for the purpose of indicating or so to indicate to a connection in the
course of trade between the goods or services, as the case may be, and some person
having the right, either as proprietor or by way of permitted user, to use the mark whether
with or without any indication of the identity of that person, and includes a certification
trade mark or collective mark.
(zc) "transmission" means transmission by operation of law, devolution on the personal
representative of a deceased person and any other mode of transfer, not being assignment.
(zd) "Technical Member" means a Member who is not a Judicial Member.
(Ze) "tribunal" means the Registrar or, as the case may be, the Appellate Board, before
which the proceeding concerned is pending.
(zf) "Vice-Chairman" means a Vice-Chairman of the Appellate Board.
(zg) "well-known trade mark" in relation to any goods or service, means a mark which
has becomes so to the substantial segment of the public which uses such goods or
receives such services that the use of such mark in relation to other goods or services
would be likely to be taken as indicating a connection in the course of trade or rendering
of services between those goods or services and a person using the mark in relation to the
first mentioned goods or services.
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, any reference - to "trade-mark" shall
include reference to "collective mark" or "certification trade mark".
To the use of a mark shall be construed as a reference to the use of printed or other visual
representation of the mark.
To the use of a mark.- in relation to goods, shall be construed as a reference to the use of
the mark upon, or n any physical or in any other relation whatsoever, to such goods.
In relation to goods, shall be construed as a reference to the use of the mark as or as part
of any statement about the availability, provision or performance of such services.
To the Registrar shall be construed as including a reference to any officer when
discharging the functions of the Registrar in pursuance of sub-section (2) of section 3.
To the Trade Marks Registry shall be construed as including a reference to any office of
the Trade Marks Registry.
For the purposes of this Act, goods and services are associated with each other if it is
likely that those goods might be sold or otherwise traded in and those services might be
provided by the same business and so with description of goods and descriptions of
services.


For the purposes of this Act, "existing registered trade mark" means a trade mark
registered under the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958 (43 of 1958) immediately
before the commencement of this Act.
Chapter 2 The Register and Conditions for Registration
3. Appointment of Registrar and other officers.- (1) The Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, appoint a person to be known as the Controller-
General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, who shall be the Registrar of Trade Mark
for the purposes of this Act.
The Central Government may appoint such other officers with such designations as it
thinks fit for the purpose of discharging, under the superintendence and direction of the
Registrar, such functions of the Registrar under this Act as he may from time to time
authorise them to discharge.
4. Power of Registrar to withdraw or transfer cases, etc.- Without prejudice to the
generality of the provisions of such-section (2) of section 3, the Registrar may, by order
in writing and for reasons to be recorded therein, withdraw any matter pending before an
officer appointed under the said sub-section (2) and deal with such matter himself either
de novo or from the stage it was so withdrawn or transfer the same to another officer so
appointed who may, subject to special directions in the order of transfer, proceed with the
matter either de novo or from the stage it was so transferred.
5. Trade Marks Registry and officers thereof.- (1) For the purposes of this Act, there
shall be a trade marks registry and the Trade Marks Registry established under the Trade
and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958 (43 of 1958) shall be the Trade Marks Registry under
this Act.
The head office of the Trade Marks Registry shall be at such place as the Central
Government may specify, and for the purpose of facilitating the registration of trade
marks, there may be established at such places as the Central Government may think fit
branch offices of the Trade Marks Registry.
The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, define the territorial
limits within which an office of the Trade Marks Registry may exercise its functions.
(4) There shall be a seal of the Trade Mark Registry.
6. The Register of Trade Marks.- (1) For the purposes of this Act, a record called the
Register of Trade Mark shall be kept at the head office of the Trade Marks Registry,
wherein shall be entered all registered trade mark with the names, addresses and
description of the proprietors, notifications of assignment and transmissions, the name,
addresses and description of registered users, conditions, limitations and such other
matters relating to registered trade mark as may be prescribed.
1. Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) it shall be lawful for the
Registrar to keep the records wholly or partly in computer floppies diskettes or in any
other electronic form subject to such safeguards as may be prescribed.
Where such register is maintained wholly or party on computer under sub-section (2) any
reference in this Act to entry in the register shall be construed as the reference to any
entry as maintained on computer or in any other electronic form.
No notice of any trust, express or implied or constructive, shall be entered in the register
and no such notice shall be receivable by the Registrar.
The register shall be kept under the control and management of the Registrar.


There shall be kept at each branch office of the Trade Marks Registry a copy of the
register and such of the other documents mentioned in section 148 as the Central
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct.
The Register of Trade Marks, both Part A and Part B, existing at the commencement of
this Act, shall be incorporated in and from part of the register under this Act.
7. Classification of goods and services.- (1) The Register shall classify goods and
services, as far as may be, in accordance with the International classification of goods and
services for the purposes of registration of trade marks.
Any question arising to the class within which any goods or services falls shall be
determined by the Register whose decision shall be final.
8. Publication of alphabetical index.- (1) The Registrar may publish in the prescribed
manner an alphabetical index of classification of gods and services referred to in section
7.
Where any goods or services are not specified in the alphabetical index of goods and
services published under sub-section (1), the classification of goods or services shall be
determined by the Registrar in accordance with sub-section (2) of section 7.
9. Absolute grounds for refusal of registration.- (1) The trade marks -
(a) Which are devoid of any distinctive character, that is to say, not capable of
distinguishing the good or services of one person from those of another person.
(b) Which consist exclusively of marks or indications which may serve in trade to
designate the kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, values, geographical origin or the
time of production f the goods or rendering of the service or other characteristics of the
goods or service.
© Which consist exclusively of marks or indications which have become customary in
the current language or in the bona fide and established practices of the trade.
Shall not be registered:
Provided that a trade mark shall not be refused registration if before the date of
application for registration it has acquired a distinctive character as a result of the use
made of it or is a well-known trade mark.
1. A mark shall not be registered as a trade mark if-
(a) it is of such nature as to deceive the public or cause confusion.
(b) It contains or comprises of any matter likely to hurt the religious susceptibilities of
any class of section of the citizens of India.
© It comprises or contains scandalous or obscene matter.
(d) Its use is prohibited under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use)
Act, 1950 (12 of 1950).
1. A mark shall not be registered as a trade mark if it consists exclusively of-
2. the shape of goods which results from the nature of the goods themselves. Or
(a) the shape of good which is necessary to obtain a technical result, or
(b) the shape which gives substantial value of the goods.
Explanation.- For the purposes of this section, the nature of goods or services in relation
to which the trade mark is used to proposed to be used shall not be a ground for refusal of
registration.
10. Limitation as to colour.- (1) A trade mark may be limited wholly or in part to any
combination of colours and any such limitation shall be taken into consideration by the
tribunal having to decide on the distinctive character of the trade mark.


(2) So far as a trade mark is registered without limitation of colour, it shall be deemed to
be registered for all colours.
11. Relative grounds for refusal of registration.- (1) Save as provided in section 12,
trade mark shall not be registered if, because of- (a) its identity with an earlier trade mark
and similarly of goods or services covered by the trade mark, or
(b) its similarity to an earlier trade mark and the identity or similarity of the goods of
services covered by the trade mark.
There exists a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public, which includes the
likelihood of association with the earlier trade mark.
(2) A trade mark which - (a) is identical with or similar to an earlier trade mark, and
(b) is to be registered for goods or services which are not similar to those for which the
earlier trade mark is registered in the name of a different proprietor.
Shall not be registered if or to the extent the earlier trade mark is a well-known trade
mark in India and use of the later mark without due cause would take unfair advantage of
or be detrimental to the distinctive character or repute of the earlier trade mark.
(3) A trade mark shall not be registered if, or to the extent that, its use in India is liable to
be prevented - (a) by virtue of any law in particular the law of passing off protecting an
unregistered trade mark used in the course of trade, or
(b) by virtue of law of copyright.
(4) Nothing in this section shall prevent the registration of a trade mark where the
proprietor of the earlier trade mark or other earlier right consents to the registration, and
in such case the Registrar may register the mark under special circumstances under
section 12.
Explanation.- For the purposes of this section, earlier trade mark means-
(a) a registered trade mark or convention application referred to in section 154 which has
a date of application earlier than that of the trade mark in question, taking account, where
appropriate, of the priorities claimed in respect of the trade marks.
(b) a trade mark which, on the date of the application for registration of the trade mark in
question, or where appropriate, of the priority claimed in respect of the application, was
entitled to protection as a well-known trade mark.
(5) A trade mark shall not be refused registration on the grounds specified in sub-section
(2) and (3), unless objection on any one or more of those grounds is raised in opposition
proceedings by the proprietor of the earlier trade mark.
(6) The Registrar shall, while determining whether a trade mark is a well-known trade
mark, take into account any fact which he considers relevant for determining a trade mark
as a well-known trade mark including - (i) the knowledge or recognition of that trade
mark in the relevant section of the public including knowledge in India obtained as a
result of promotion of the trade mark.
(ii) the duration, extent and geographical area of any use of that trade mark.
(iii) the duration, extent and geographical area of any promotion of the trade mark,
including advertising or publicity and presentation, at fairs or exhibition of the gods or
services to which the trade mark applies.
(iv) the duration and geographical area of any registration of or any publication for
registration of that trade mark under this Act to the extent they reflect the use or
recognition of the trade mark.


(v) the record of successful enforcement of the rights in that trade mark, in particular, the
extent to which the trade mark has been recognised as a well-known trade mark by any
court on Registrar under that record.
(7) The Registrar shall, while determining as to whether a trade mark is known or
recongnised in a relevant section of the public for the purposes of sub-section (6), take
into account.
(i) the number of actual or potential consumers of the goods or services.
(ii) the number of persons involved in the channels of distribution of the goods or
services.
(iii) the business circles dealing with the goods or services.
To which that trade mark applies.
(8) Where a trade mark has been determined to be well-known in at least one relevant
section of the public in India by any court or Registrar, the Registrar shall consider that
trade mark as a well-known trade mark for registration under this Act.
(9) The Registrar shall not require as a condition, for determining whether a trade mark is
a well-known trade mark, the any of the following, namely:-
(i) that the trade mark has been used in India,
(ii) that the trade mark has been registered.
(iii) that the application for registration of the trade mark has been filed in India.
(IV) that the trade mark - (a) is well known in; or
(b) has been registered in; or
© in respect of which an application for registration has been filed in, any jurisdiction
other than India; or
(v) that the trade mark is well known to the public at large in India.
(10) While considering an application for registration of a trade mark and opposition filed
in respect thereof, the Registrar shall--
(i) protect a well known trade mark against the identical or similar trade marks;
(ii) take into consideration the bad faith involved either of the applicant or the opponent
affecting the right relating to the trade mark.
(11) Where a trade mark has been registered in good faith disclosing the material
informations to the Registrar of where right to a trade mark has been acquired through
use in good faith before the commencement of this Act, then, nothing in this Act shall
prejudice the validity of the registration of the trade mark or right to use that trade mark
on the ground that such trade mark is identical with or similar to a well known trade
mark.
12. Registration in the case of honest concurrent use, etc.-- In the case of honest
concurrent use or of other special circumstances which in the opinion of the Registrar,
make it proper so to do, he may permit the registration by more than one proprietor of the
trade marks which are identical or similar (whether any such trade mark is already
registered or not) in respect of the same or similar goods or services, subject to such
conditions and limitations, if any, as the Registrar may think fit to impose.
13. Prohibition of registration of names of chemical elements or international non
proprietary names. - No word - (a) which is the commonly used and accepted name of
any single chemical element or any single chemical compound (as distinguished from a
mixture) in respect of a chemical substance or preparation, or


(b) which is declared by the World Health Organisation and notified in the prescribed
manner by the Registrar from time to time, as an international non -- proprietary name or
which is deceptively similar to such name.
Shall be registered as a trade mark and any such registration shall be deemed for the
purpose of section 57 to be an entry made in the register without sufficient cause or an
entry wrongly remaining on the register, as the circumstances may require.
14. Use of names and representations of living persons or persons recently dead.--
Where an application is made for the registration of a trade mark which falsely suggests a
connection with any living person, or a person whose death took place within twenty
years prior to the date of application for registration of the trade mark, the Registrar may,
before he proceeds with the application, require the applicant to furnish him with the
consent in writing of such living person or, as the case may be, of the legal representative
of the deceased person to the connection appearing on the trade mark, and may refuse to
proceed with the application unless the applicant furnishes the Registrar with such
consent.
15. Registration of parts of trade marks and of trade marks as a series. --
(1) Where the proprietor of a trade mark claims to be entitled to be entitled to the
exclusive use of any part thereof separately, he may apply to register the whole and the
part as separate trade marks.
(2) Each such separate trade mark shall satisfy all the conditions applying to and have all
the incidents of, an independent trade mark.
(3) Where a person claiming to be the proprietor of several trade marks in respect of the
same or similar goods or services or description of goods or description of services,
which, while resembling each other in the material particulars thereof, yet differ in
respect of--
(a) statement of the goods or services in relation to which they are respectively used or
proposed to be used; or
(b) statement ofnumber, price, quality or names of places; or
© other matter of a non distinctive character which does not substantially affect the
identity of the trade mark; or
(d) colour, seeks to register those trade marks, they may be registered as a series in one
registration.
16. Registration of trade marks as associated trade marks. - (1) Where a trade mark
which is registered, or is the subject of an application for registration, in respect of any
goods or services is identical with another trade mark which is registered, or is the subject
of an application for registration, in the name of the same services or description of
services or so nearly resembles it as to be likely to deceive or cause confusion if used by
a person other than the proprietor, the Registrar may, at any time, require that the trade
marks shall be entered on the register as associated trade marks.
(2) Where there is an identify or near resemblance of marks that are registered, or are the
subject of applications for registration in the name of the same proprietor, in respect of
good and in respect of goods and in respect of services which are associated with those
goods or goods of that description and with those services or services of that description,
sub section (1) shall apply as it applies as where there is an identity or near resemblance
of marks that are registered, or are the subject of applications for registration, in the name


of the same proprietor in respect of the same goods or description of goods or same
services or description of services.
(3) Where a trade mark and any part thereof are, in accordance with the provisions of sub
section (1) of section 15, registered as separate trade marks in the name of the same
proprietor, they shall be deemed to be, and shall be registered as, associated trade marks.
(4) All trade marks registered in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (3) of
section 15 as a series in one in one registration shall be deemed to be, and shall be
registered as, associated trade marks.
(5) On application made in the prescribe manner by the registered proprietor of two or
more trade marks registered as associated trade marks, the Registrar may dissolve the
association as respects any of them if he is satisfied that there would be no likelihood of
deception or confusion being caused if that trade mark were used by any other person in
relation to any of the goods or services or both in respect of which it is registered, and
may amend the register accordingly.
17. Effect of registration of parts of a mark.- (1) When a trade mark consists of several
matters, its registration shall confer on the proprietor exclusive right to the use of the
trade mark as a whole.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), when a trade mark-
(a) contains any part-
(i) which is not the subject of a separate application by the proprietor for registration as a
trade mark; or
(ii) which is not separately registered by the proprietor as a trade mark; or
(b) contains any matter which is common to the trade or is otherwise of a non-distinctive
character, the registration thereof shall not confer any exclusive right in the matter
forming only a part of the whole of the trade mark so registered.
Chapter 3 Procedure for and Duration of Registration
18. Application for registration. - (1) Any person claiming to be the proprietor of a
trade mark used or proposed to be used by him, who is desirous of registering it, shall
apply in writing to the Registrar in the prescribed manner for the registration of his trade
mark.
(2) A single application may be made for registration of a trade mark for different classes
of gods and services and fee payable therefor shall be in respect of each such class of
goods or services.
(3) Every application under sub-section (1) shall be filed in the office of the Trade Mark
Registry within whose territorial limits the principal place of business in India of the
applicant or in the case of joint applicants the principal place of business in India of the
applicant whose name is first mentioned in the application as having a place of business
in India, is situate:
(4) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Registrar may refuse the application or may
accept it absolutely or subject to such amendments, modifications, conditions or
limitations, if any, as he may think fit.
(5) In the case of a refusal or conditional acceptance of an application, the Registrar shall
record in writing the grounds for such refusal or conditional acceptance and the materials
used by him in arriving at his decision.
19. Withdrawal of acceptance.- Where, after the acceptance of an application for
registration of a trade mark but before its registration, the Registrar is satisfied.-


(a) that the application has been accepted in error; or
(b) that in the circumstances of the case of the trade mark should not be registered or
should be registered subject to conditions or limitations or to conditions additional to or
different from the conditions or limitations subject to which the application has been
accepted,
20. Advertisement of application. - (1) When an application for registration of a trade
mark has been accepted whether absolutely or subject to conditions or limitations, the
Registrar shall, as soon as may be after acceptance, cause the application as accepted
together with the conditions or limitations, if any, subject to which it has been accepted,
ton be advertised in the prescribed manner:
Provided that the Registrar may cause the application to be advertised before acceptance
if it relates to a trade mark to which sub-section (1) of section 9 and sub-section (1) and
(2) of section 11 apply, or in any other case where it appears to him that it is expedient by
reason of any exceptional circumstances so to do.
(2) Where --
(a) an application has been advertised before acceptance under sub-section (1);
(b) after advertisement of an application,-
(i) an error in the application has been advertised before acceptance under sub-section
(1); or
(ii) the application has been permitted to be amended under section 22, the Registrar may
in his discretion cause the application to be advertised again or in any case failing under
clause (b) may, instead of causing the application to be advertised again, notify in the
prescribed manner the correction or amendment made in the application.
21. Opposition to registration.- (1) Any person may, within three months from the date
of the advertisement or re-advertisement of an application for registration or within such
further period, not exceeding one month in the aggregate, as the Registrar, on application
made to him in the prescribed manner and on payment of the prescribed fee, allows, give
notice in writing in the prescribed manner to the Registrar, of opposition to the
registration.
(2) The Registration shall serve a copy of the notice on the applicant for registration and,
within two months from the receipt by the applicant of such copy of the notice of
opposition, the applicant shall send to the Registrar in the prescribed manner a counter-
statement of the grounds on which he relies for his application, and if he does not do so
he shall be deemed to have abandoned his application.
(3) If the applicant sends such counter-statement, the Registrar shall serve a copy thereof
on the person giving notice of opposition.
(4) Any evidence upon which the opponent and the applicant may rely shall be submitted
in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed time to the Registrar, and the
Registrar shall give an opportunity to them to be heard, if they do desire.
(5) The Registrar shall, after hearing the parties, if so required, and considering the
evidence, decide whether and subject to what conditions or limitations, if any, the
registration is to be permitted, and may take into account a ground of objection whether
relied upon by the opponent or not.
(6) Where a person giving notice of opposition or an applicant sending a counter
statement after receipt of a copy of such notice neither resides nor carries on business in
India, the Registrar may require him to give security for the costs of proceedings before


him, and in default of such security being duly given, may treat the opposition or
application, as the case may be, as abandoned.
(7) The Registrar may, on request, permit correction of any error in, or any amendment
of, a notice of opposition or a counter-statement or such terms as he thinks just.
22. Correction and amendment.- The Registrar may, on such terms as he thinks just, at
any time, whether before or after acceptance of an application for registration under
section 18, permit the correction of any error in or in connection with the application or
permit an amendment of the application.
Provided that if an amendment -- The Registrar may, on such terms as he thinks just, at
any time, whether before acceptance if it relates to a trade mark to which sub-section (1)
of section 9 and sub-section (1) and (2) of section 11 apply, or in any other case where it
appears to him that it is expedient by reason of any exceptional circumstance so to do.
23. Registration.- (1) Subject to the provisions of section 19, when an application for
registration of a trade mark has been accepted and either-
(a) the application has not been opposed and the time for notice of opposition has
expired, or
(b) the application has been opposed and the opposition has been decided in favour of the
applicant.
The registrar shall, unless the Central Government otherwise directs, register the said
trade mark and the trade mark when registered shall be registered as of the date of the
making of the said application and that date shall, subject to the provisions of section
154, be deemed to be the date of registration.
(2) On the registration of a trade mark, the Registration shall issue to the applicant a
certificate in the prescribed form of the registration thereof, sealed with the seal of the
Trade Marks Registry.
(3) Where registration of a trade mark, is not completed within twelve months from the
date of application by reason of default on the part of the applicant, the Registrar may,
after notice to the applicant in the prescribed manner, treat the application as abandoned
unless it is completed within the time specified in that behalf in the notice.
(4) The Registrar may amend the register a certificate of registration for the purpose of
correcting a clerical error or an obvious mistake.
24. Jointly owned trade marks.- (1) Save as provided in sub-section (2), nothing in this
Act shall authorise the registration of two or more persons who use a trade mark
independently, or propose so to use it, as joint proprietors thereof.
(2) Where the relations between two or more persons interested in a trade mark are such
that no one of them is entitled as between himself and the other or others of them to use it
except-
(a) on behalf of both or all of them, or
(b) in relation to an article or service with which both or all of them are connected in the
course of trade.
Those persons may be registered as joint proprietors of the trade mark, and this Act shall
have effect in relation to any rights to the use of the trade mark vested in those persons as
if those rights had been vested in a single person.
25. Duration, renewal, removal and restoration and registration.- (1) The registration
of trade mark, after the commencement of this Act, shall be for a period of ten years, but
may be renewed from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this section.


(2) The Registrar shall, on application made by the registered proprietor of a trade mark
in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed period and subject to payment of the
prescribed fee, renew the registration of the trade mark for a period of ten years from the
date of expiration of the original registration or of the last renewal of registration, as the
case may be (which date is in this section referred to as the expiration of the last
registration).
(3) At the prescribed time before the explanation of the last registration of a trade mark
the Registrar shall send notice in the prescribed manner to the registered proprietor of the
date of expiration and the conditions as to payment of fees and otherwise upon which a
renewal of registration may be obtained, and, if at the expiration of the time prescribed in
that behalf those conditions have not been dully complied with the Registrar may remove
the trade mark from the register.
Provided that the Registrar shall not remove the trade mark from the register if an
application is made in the prescribed form and the prescribed fee and surcharge is paid
within six months from the expiration f the last registration of the trade mark and shall
renew the registration of the trade mark for a period of ten years under sub-section (2).
(4) Where a trade mark has been removed from the register for non-payment of the
prescribed fee, the Registrar shall, after six months and within one year from the
expiration of the last registration of the trade mark, on receipt of an application in the
prescribed form and on payment of the prescribed fee, it satisfied that it is just so to do,
restore the trade mark to the register and renew the registration of the trade mark either
generally or subject to such conditions or limitations as he thinks fit to impose, for a
period of ten years from the expiration of the last registration.
26. Effect of removal from register for failure to pay fee for removal - Where a trade
mark has been removed has been removed from the register the register for failure to pay
the fee for renewal, it shall nevertheless, for the purpose of any application for the
registration of another trade mark during one year, next after the date of the removal, be
deemed to be a trade mark already on the register, unless the tribunal is satisfied either-
(a) that there has been no bona fide trade use of the trade mark which has been removed
during the two years immediately preceding its removal, or
(b) that no deception or confusion would be likely to arise from the use of the trade mark
which is the subject of the application for registration by reason of any pervious use of
the trade mark which has been removed.
Chapter 4 Effect of Registration
27. No action for infringement of unregistered trade mark.- (1) No person shall be
entitled to institute to institute any proceeding to prevent, or to recover damages for, the
infringement of an unregistered trade mark.
(2) Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to affect rights of action against any person for
passing off goods or services as the goods of another person or as services provided by
another person, or the remedies in respect thereof.
28. Rights conferred by registration.- (1) Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the
registration of a trade mark shall, if valid, give to the registered proprietor of the trade
mark the exclusive right to the use of the trade mark in relation to the goods or service in
respect of which the trade mark is registered and to obtain relief in respect of
infringement of the trade mark in the manner provided by this Act.


(2) The exclusive right to the use of a trade mark given under sub-section (1) shall be
subject to any conditions and limitations to which the registration is subject.
(3) Where two or more persons are registered proprietors of trade marks, which are
identical with or nearly resemble reach other, the exclusive right to the use of any of
those trade marks shall not (except so far as their respective rights are subject to any
conditions or limitations entered on the register) be deemed to have been acquired by any
one of those persons as against any other of those persons merely by registration of the
trade marks but each of those persons have otherwise the same rights as against other
persons (not being registered proprietor.
29. Infringement of registered trade marks.- (1) A registered trade mark is infringed
by a person who, not being a registered proprietor or a person using by way of permitted
use, uses in the course of trade, a mark which is identical with, or deceptively similar to,
the trade mark in relation to goods or services in respect of which the trade mark is
registered and in such manner as to render the use of the mark likely to be taken as being
used as a trade mark.
(2) A registered trade mark is infringed by a person who, not being a registered proprietor
or a person using by way of permitted use, uses in the course of trade, a mark which
because of-
(a) its identify with the registered trade mark and the similarly of the goods or services
covered by such registered trade mark or,
(b) its similarly to the registered trade mark and the identity or similarly of the goods or
services covered by such registered trade mark, or
© its identity with the registered trade mark and the identity of the goods or services
covered by such registered trade mark, is likely to cause confusion on the part of the
public, or which is likely to have an association with the registered trade mark.
(3) In any case falling under clause © of sub-section (2), the court shall presume that it is
likely to cause confusion on the part of the public.
(4) A registered trade mark is infringed by a person who, not being a registered proprietor
or a person using by way of permitted use, uses in the course of trade, a mark which-
(a) is identical with or similar to the registered trade mark, and
(b) is used in relation to goods or services which are not similar to those for which the
trade mark is registered, and
© the registered trade mark has a reputation in India and the use of the mark without due
cause takes unfair advantage of or is detrimental to, the distinctive character or repute of
the registered trade mark.
(5) A registered trade mark is infringed by a person if he uses such registered trade mark,
as his trade name or part of his trade name, or name is his business concern or part of the
name, of his business concern dealing in goods or services in respect of which the trade
mark is registered.
(6) For the purposes of this section, a person uses a registered mark, if, in particular, he-
(a) affixes it to goods or the packaging thereof,
(b) offers or exposes goods for sale, puts them on the market, or stocks them for those
purposes under the registered trade mark, or offers or supplies services under the
registered trade mark.
© imports or exports goods under the mark, or
(d) uses the registered trade mark on business papers or in advertising.


(7) A registered trade mark is infringed by a person who applies such registered trade
mark to a material intended to be used for labeling or packaging goods, as a business
paper, or for advertising goods or services, provided such person, when he applied the
mark, knew or had reason to believe that the application of the mark was not duly
authorised by the proprietor or a licensee.
(8) A registered trade mark is infringed by any advertising of that trade mark if such
advertising-
(a) takes unfair advantage of and is contrary to honest practices in industrial or
commercial matters, or
(b) is detrimental to its distinctive character, or
© is against the reputation of the trade mark
(9) Where the distinctive elements of a registered trade mark consists of or include
words, the trade mark may be infringed by the spoken use of those words as well as by
their visual representation and reference in this section to the use of a mark shall be
construed accordingly.
30. Limits of effect of registered trade mark.- (1) Nothing in section 29 shall be
construed as preventing the use of a registered trade mark by any person for the purposes
ofidentifying goods or services as those of the proprietor provided the use-
(a) is in accordance with hones practices in industrial or commercial matters, and
(b) is not such as to take unfair advantage of or be detrimental to the distinctive character
or repute of the trade mark.
(2) A registered trade mark is not infringed where-
(a) the use in relation to goods or services indicated the kind, quality, quantity, intended
purposes, value, geographical origin, the time of production of goods or rendering of
services or other characteristics of goods or services.
(b) a trade mark is registered subject to any conditions or limitations, the use of the trade
mark in any manner in relation to goods to be sold or otherwise traded in, in any place, or
in relation to goods to be exported to any market or in relation to services for use or
available or acceptance in any place of country outside India or in any other
circumstances, to which, having regard to those conditions or limitations, the registration
does not extend.
© the use by a person of a trade mark-
(i) in relation to goods connected in the course of trade with the proprietor or a registered
user of the trade mark if, as to those goods or a bulk or which they from part, the
registered proprietor or the registered user conforming to the permitted use has applied
the trade mark and user conforming to the permitted use has applied to the trade mark and
has not subsequently removed or obliterated it, or has at any time expertly or impliedly
consented to the use of the trade mark, or
(ii) in relation to services to which the proprietor of such mark or of a registered user
conforming to the permitted use has applied the mark, where the purpose and effect of the
use of the mark is to indicate, in accordance with the fact, that those services have been
performed by the proprietor or a registered use of the mark is to indicate, in accordance
with the fact, that those services have been performed by the proprietor or a registered
user of the mark.
(d) the use of a trade mark by a person in relation to goods adapted to form part of, or to
be accessory to, other goods or services in relation to which the trade mark has been used


without infringement of the right given by registration under this Act or might for the
time being be so used, if the goods or services are so adapted, and neither the purpose nor
the effect of the use of the trade mark is to indicate, otherwise than in accordance with the
fact, a connection in the course of trade between any person and the goods or services, as
the case may be,
(e) the use of a registered trade mark, being one of two or more trade marks registered
under this Act which are identical or nearly resemble each other, in exercise of the right
to the use of that trade mark given by registration under this Act.
(3) Where the goods bearing a registered trade mark are lawfully acquired by a person,
the sale of the goods in the market or otherwise dealing in those goods by that person or
by a person claiming under a through him is not infringement of a trade by reason only
of-
(a) the registered trade mark having been assigned by the registered proprietor to some
other person, after the acquisition of those goods, or
(b) the goods having been put on the market under the registered trade mark by the
proprietor or with his consent.
(4) Sub-section (3) shall not apply where the there exists legitimate reasons for the
proprietor to oppose further dealing in the goods in particular, where the condition of the
goods, has been changed or impaired after they have been put on the market.
31. Registration to be prima facie evidence of validity.- (I) In all legal proceedings
relating to a trade mark registered under this Act (including applications under section
57), the original registration of the trade mark and of all subsequent assignments and
transmissions of the trade mark shall be prima facie evidence of the validity thereof.
(2) In all legal proceeding as aforesaid a registered trade mark shall not be held to be
invalid on the ground that it was not a registrable trade mark under section 9 except upon
evidence of distinctiveness and that such evidence was not submitted to the Registrar
before registration, if it is proved that the trade mark had been so used by the registered
proprietor or his predecessor in title as to have become distinctive at the date of
registration.
32. Protection of registration on ground of distinctiveness in certain cases.- Where a
trade mark is registered in breach of sub-section (1) of section 9, it shall not be declared
invalid if, no consequence of the use which has been made it, it has after registration and
before commencement of any legal proceedings challenging the validity of such
registration, acquired a distinctive character in relation to the goods or services for which
it is registered.
33. Effect of acquiescence.- (1) Where the proprietor of an earlier trade mark has
acquiesced for a continuous period of five years in the use of a registered trade mark,
being aware of that use, he shall no longer be entitled on the basis of that earlier trade
mark-
(a) to apply for a declaration that the registration of the later trade mark is invalid, or
(b) to oppose the use of the later trade mark in relation to the goods or services in relation
to which it has been so used, unless the registration of the later trade mark was not
applied in good faith.
(2) Where sub-section (1) applies, the proprietor of the later trade mark is not entitled to
oppose the use of the earlier trade mark, or as the case may be, the exploitation of the


earlier right, notwithstanding that the earlier mark may no longer be invoked against his
later trade mark.
34. Saving for vested rights. - Nothing in this Act shall entitle the proprietor or a
registered user of registered trade mark to interfere with or restrain the use by any person
of a trade mark identical with or nearly resembling it in relation to goods or services in
relation to which that person or a predecessor in title of his has continuously used that
trade mark from a date prior-
(a) to the use of the first-mentioned trade mark in relation to those goods or services be
the proprietor or a predecessor in title of his, or
(b) to the date of registration of the first-mentioned trade mark in respect of those goods
or services in the name of the proprietor of a predecessor in title of his.
Whichever is the earlier, and the Registrar shall not refuse (on such use being proved), to
register the second mentioned trade mark by reason only of the registration of the first
mentioned trade mark.
35. Saving for use of name, address or description of goods or services.- Nothing in
this Act shall entitle the proprietor or a registered user of a registered trade mark to
interfere with any bona fide use by a person of his own name or that of this place of
business, or of the name, or of the name of the name of the place of business, of any of
his predecessors in business, or the use by any person of any bona fide description of the
character or quality of his goods or services.
36. Saving for words used as name or description or an article or substance or
service.- (1) The registration of a trade mark shall not be deemed to have become in valid
by reason only of any use after the date of the registration of any word or words which
the trade mark contains or of which it consists as the name or description of an article or
substance or service.
Provided that, if it is proved either -
(a) that there is well known and established use of the said word as the name or
description of the article or substance or service by a person or persons carrying on trade
therein, not being use in relation to goods or services connected in the course of trade
with the proprietor or a registered user of the trade mark or (in the case of a certification
trade mark) in relation to goods or services certified by the proprietor, or
(b) that the article or substance was formerly manufactured under a patent that a period of
two years or more after the cesser of the patent has elapsed and that the said word is the
only practicable name or description of the article or substance. The provisions of sub-
section (2) shall apply.
(2) Where the facts mentioned in clause (a) or clause (b) of the proviso to sub-section (1)
are proved with respect to any words, then,-
(a) for the purpose of any proceeding under section 57 if the trade mark consist solely of
such words, the registration of the trade mark, so far as regards registration in respect of
the article or substance in question or of any goods of the same description, or of the
services or of any services of the same description, or of the services or of any services of
the same description, as the case requires, shall be deemed to be an entry wrongly
remaining on the register.
(b) for the purpose of any other legal proceedings relating to the trade mark,-
(i) if the trade mark consists solely of such words, all rights of the proprietor under this
Act or any other law to the use of the trade mark, or


(ii) if the trade mark contains such words and other matters, all such right of the
proprietor to the use of such words, in relation to the article or substance or to any goods
of the same description, or to the service or to any services of the same description, as the
case requires, shall be deemed to have ceased on the date on which the use mentioned in
clause (a) of the proviso to sub-section (1) first became well known and established or at
the expiration of the period of two years mentioned in clause (b) of the said proviso.
Chapter 5 Assignment and Transmission
37. Power of registered proprietor to assign and give receipts.- The person for the
time beign entered in the register as proprietor of a trade mark shall, subject to the
provisions of this Act and to any rights appearing from the register to be vested in nay
other person, have power to assign the trade mark, and to give effectual receipts for any
consideration for such assignment.
38. Assignability and transmissibility of registered trade marks.- Notwithstanding
anything in any other law to the contrary, a registerd trade mark shall, subject to the
provisions of this Chapter, be assignable and transmissible, whether with or without the
goodwill of the business concerned and in respect either of all the goods or services in
respect of which the trade mark is registered or of some only of those goods of servies.
39. Assignability and transmissibility of unregistered trade marks.- An unregistered
trade mark may be assigned or transmitted with or without the goodwill of the business
concerned.
40. Restriction on assignment or transmission where multiple exclusive rights would
be created.- (1) Notwithstanding anything in sections 38 and 39, a trade mark shall not
be assignable or transmissible in case in which as a result of the assignment or
transmission there would in the circumstance subsist, whether under this Act or any other
law, exclusive rights in more than one of the persons concerned to the use, in relation to-
(a) same goods or services
(b) same description of goods or services
© goods or services or description of goods or services which are associated with each
other.
Of trade marks nearly resembling each other or of identical trade mark, if having regard
to the similarly of the goods and services and to the similarity of the trade marks, the use
of the trade marks in exercise of those rights would be likely to deceive or cause
confusion.
Provided that an assignment or transmission shall not be deemed to be invalid under this
sub-section if the exclusive rights subsisting as a result thereof in the persons concerned
respectively are, having regard to limitations imposed thereon, such as not to be
exercisable by two or more of those persons in relation to gods to be sold, or otherwise
traded in, within India otherwise than for export therefrom, or in relation to good to be
exported to the same market outside India or in relation to services for use at any place in
India or any place outside India in relation to services available for acceptance in India.
(2) The proprietor of a registered trade mark who proposes to against it may submit to the
Registrar in the prescribed manner a statement of case setting out the circumstances and
the Registrar may issue to him a certificate stating whether, having regard to the
similarity of the goods or services and of the trade marks referred to in the case, the
proposed assignment would or would not be invalid under sub-section (1), and a
certificate so issued shall, subject to appeal and unless it is shown that the certificate was


obtained by fraud or misrepresentation, be conclusive as to the validity or invalidity
under sub-section (1) of the assignment insofar as such validity or invalidity depends
upon the facts set out in the case, but as regards a certificate in favour of validity, only if
application for the registration under section 45 of the title of the person becoming
entitled is made within six months from the date of which the certificate is issued.
41. Restriction on assignment or transmission when exclusive rights would be
created in different parts of India.- Notwithstanding anything in sections 38 and 39, a
trade mark shall not be assignable or transmissible in a case in which as a result of the
assignment or transmission there would in the circumstances subsist, whether under this
Act or any other law-
(a) an exclusive right in one of the persons concerned, to the use of the trade mark limited
to use in relation to goods to be sold or otherwise trade in, in any place in India, or in
relation to services for use, or services available for a acceptance in any place in India,
and
(b) an exclusive right in another of these persons concerned, to the use of a trade mark
nearly resembling the first-mentioned trade mark or of an identical trade mark in relation
to -
(i) the same goods or services, or
(ii) the same description of goods or services, or
(iii) services which are associated with those goods or goods of that description or goods
which are associated with those services or services of that description, limited to use in
relation to goods to be sold or otherwise traded in, or services for use, or available for
acceptance, in any other place in India.
Provided that in any such case, on application in the prescribed manner by the proprietor
of a trade mark who proposes to assign it, or by a person who claims that a registered
trade mark has been transmitted to him or to a predecessor in title of his since the
commencement of this Act, the Registrar, if he is satisfied that in all the circumstances
the use of the trade mark in exercise of the said rights would not be a transmission so
approve the assignment or transmission, and an assignment or transmission so approved
shall not, unless it is shown that the approval was obtained by fraud or misrepresentation,
be deemed to be invalid under this section or section 40 if application for the registration
under section 45 of the title of the person becoming entitled is made within six months
from the date of which the approval is given or, in the case of a transmission, was made
before that date.
42. Conditions for assignment otherwise than in connection with the goodwill of a
business.- When an assignment of trade mark, whether registered or unregistered is made
otherwise than in connection with the goodwill of the business in which the mark has
been or is used, the assignment shall not take effect unless the assignee, not or within
such extended period, if any, not exceeding three months in the aggregate, as the
Registrar may allow, applies to the Registrar for directions with respect to the
advertisement of the assignment and advertises it in such form and manner and within
such period as the Registrar may direct.
Explanation.- For the purpose of this section, an assignment of a trade mark of the
following description shall not be deemed to be an assignment made otherwise than in
connection with the goodwill of the business in which the mark is used, namely:-


(a) an assignment of a trade mark in respect only of some of the goods or services for
which the trade mark is registered accompanied by the transfer of the goodwill of the
business concerned in those goods or services only, or
(b) as assignment of a trade mark which is used in relation to goods exported from India
or in re]]> http://www.trademarksmanagement.com/trad...t1999.html

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UPDATE COMPLETE ACT


The Trade Marks Act, 1999
(Act no. 47 of 1999)
Preamble
(Act No. 47 of 1999)
An Act to amend and consolidate the law relating to trade marks, to provide for
registration and better protection of trade marks for goods and services and for the
prevention of the use of fraudulent marks.
Be it enacted by Parliament in the Fiftieth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-
Comment: This Act replaces the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958 (43 of 1958)
which is repealed by this Act.
Chapter 1 Preliminary
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
(1) This Act may be called the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
(2) It extend to the whole of India.
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification
in the Official Gazette, appoint:
Provided that different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act, and
any reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed
as a reference to the coming into force of that provision.
2. Definitions and interpretation.-- (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise
requires, -
(a) "Appellate Board" means the Appellate Board established under section 83:
(b) "assignment" means an assignment in writing by act of te parties concerned;
© "associated trade Marks" means trade marks deemed to be, or required to be,
registered as associated trade marks under this Act;
(d) "Bench " means a Bench of the Appellate Board;
(e) "certification trade mark" means a mark capable of distinguishing the goods or service
in connection with which it is used in the course of trade which are certified by the
proprietor of the mark in respect of origin, material, mode of manufacture of goods or
performance of service not so certified and registrable as such under Chapter IX in
respect of those goods or service in the name, as proprietor of the certification trade
mark, of that person;
(f) "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Appellate Board.
(g) "collective mark" means a trade mark distinguishing the goods or services of
members of an association of persons (not being a partnership within the meaning of the
Indian Partnership Act, 1932 (9 of 1932) which is the proprietor of the mark from those
of others.
(h) "deceptively similar", - A mark shall be deemed to be deceptively similar to another
mark if it so nearly resembles that other mark as to be likely to deceive or cause
confusion.


(i) "false trade description" means-
(I) a trade description which is untrue or misleading in a material respect as regards the
goods or services to which it is applied or
(II) any alteration of a trade description as regards the goods or services to which it is
applied, whether by way of addition, effacement or otherwise, where that alteration
makes the description untrue or misleading in a material respect, or
(III) any trade description which denotes or implies that there are contained, as regards
the goods to which it is applied, more yards or meters than there are contained therein
standard yards or standard meters, or
(IV) any marks or arrangement or combination thereof when applied-
(a) to goods in such a manner as to be likely to lead persons to believe that the goods are
the manufacture or merchandise of some person other than the person whose merchandise
or manufacture they really are.
(b) in relation to services in such a manner as to be likely to lead persons to believe that
the services are provided or rendered by some persons other than the person whose
services they really are, or
(V) any false name or initials of a person applied to goods or service in such manner as if
such name or initials were a trade description in any case where the name or initials-
(a) is or are not a trade mark or part of a trade mark, and
(b) is or are identical with or deceptively similar to the name or initials of a person
carrying on business in connection with goods or services of the same description or both
and who has not authorized the use of such name or initials, and
© is or are either the name or initials of a fictions person or some person not bona fide
carrying on business in connection with such goods or services.
And the fact that a trade description is a trade mark or part of a trade mark shall not
prevent such trade description being a false trade description within the meaning of this
Act.
(j) "goods" means anything which is the subject of trade or manufacture.
(k) "Judicial Member" means a Member of the Appellate Board appointed as such under
this Act, and includes the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman.
(l) "limitations" (with its grammatical variations) means any limitation of the exclusive
right to the use of a trade mark given by the registration of a person as proprietor thereof,
including limitations of that right a to mode or area of use within India or outside India.
(m) "mark" includes a device, brand, heading, lable, ticket, name, signature, word, letter,
numeral, shape of goods, packaging or combination of colours or any combination
thereof.
(n) "Member" means a Judicial Member or a Technical Member of the Appellate Board
and includes the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman.
(o) "name" includes and abbreviation of a name.
(p) "notify" means to notify in the Trade Mark Journal published by the Registrar.
(q) "package" includes any case, box, container, covering, folder, recetacle, vessel,
casket, bottle, wrapper, labler, band, ticket, reel, frame, capsule, cap, lid, stopper and
cork.
® "permitted use: in relation to a registered trade mark, means the use of trade mark-
(i) by a registered user of the trade mark in relation to goods or service-
(a) with which he is connected in the course of trade, and


(b) in respect of which the trade mark remains registered for the time being, and
© for which he is registered as registered user, and
(d) which complies with any conditions or limitations to which the registration of
registered user is subject, or
(ii) by a person other than the registerd proprietor and registered user in relation to goods
or services-
(a) with which he is connected in the course of trade, and
(b) in respect of which the trade mark remains registered for the time being, and
© by consent of such registered proprietor in a written agreement, and
(d) which complies with any conditions or limitations to which such user is subject and to
which the registration of the trade mark is subject.
(s) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act.
(t) "register" means the Register of Trade Mark referred to in sub-section (1) of section6.
(u) "registered" (with its grammatical variations) means registered under this Act.
(v) "registered proprietor" in relation to a trade mark, means the person for the time being
entered in the register as proprietor of the trade mark.
(w) "registered trade mark" means a trade mark which is actually on the register and
remaining in force.
(x) "registered user" means a person who is for the time being registered as such under
section 49.
(y) "Registrar" means the Registrar of Trade Mark referred to in section 3.
(z) "service" means service of any description which is made available to potential users
and includes the provisions of services in connection with business of any industrial or
commercial matters such as banking, communication, education, financing, insurance,
chit funds, real estate, transport, storage, material treatment, processing, supply of
electrical or other energy, boarding, lodging, entertainment, amusement, construction,
repair, conveying of news or information and advertising.
(za) "trade description" means any description, statement or other indication, direct or
indirect,-
(i) as to the number, quantity, measure, gauge or weight of any goods, or
(ii) as to the standard of quality of any goods or services according to a classification
commonly used or recognized in the trade, or
(iii) as t fitness fr the purpose, strength, performance or behaviour of any goods, being
"drug" as defined in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 194)) or "food" as defined
in the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 (37 of 1954), or
(iv) as to the place or country in which or the time at which any goods or services were
made, produced or provided, as the case may be, or
(v) as to the name and address or other indication of the identity of the manufacturer or of
the person providing the services of the person for whom the goods are manufactured or
services are provided, or
(vi) as to the mode of manufacture or producing any goods or providing services, or
(vii) as to the material of which any goods are composed, or
(viii) as to any goods being the subject of an existing patent, privilege or copyright, and
includes-
(a) any description as to the use of any mark which according to the custom of the trade is
commonly taken to be an indication of any of the above matters.


(b) the description as to any imported goods contained in any bill of entry or shipping
bill.
© any other description which is likely to be misunderstood or mistaken for all or any of
the said matters.
(zb) "trade mark" means a mark capable of being represented graphically and which is
capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one person from choose of others and
may include shape of goods, their packaging and combination of colours, and
in relation to Chapter XII (other than section 107), a registered trade mark or mark used
in relation to goods or services for the purpose of indicating or so as to indicate a
connection in the course of trade between the goods or services, as the case may be, and
some person having the right as proprietor to use the mark, and
in relation to other provisions of this Act, a mark used or proposed to be used in relation
to goods or services for the purpose of indicating or so to indicate to a connection in the
course of trade between the goods or services, as the case may be, and some person
having the right, either as proprietor or by way of permitted user, to use the mark whether
with or without any indication of the identity of that person, and includes a certification
trade mark or collective mark.
(zc) "transmission" means transmission by operation of law, devolution on the personal
representative of a deceased person and any other mode of transfer, not being assignment.
(zd) "Technical Member" means a Member who is not a Judicial Member.
(Ze) "tribunal" means the Registrar or, as the case may be, the Appellate Board, before
which the proceeding concerned is pending.
(zf) "Vice-Chairman" means a Vice-Chairman of the Appellate Board.
(zg) "well-known trade mark" in relation to any goods or service, means a mark which
has becomes so to the substantial segment of the public which uses such goods or
receives such services that the use of such mark in relation to other goods or services
would be likely to be taken as indicating a connection in the course of trade or rendering
of services between those goods or services and a person using the mark in relation to the
first mentioned goods or services.
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, any reference - to "trade-mark" shall
include reference to "collective mark" or "certification trade mark".
To the use of a mark shall be construed as a reference to the use of printed or other visual
representation of the mark.
To the use of a mark.- in relation to goods, shall be construed as a reference to the use of
the mark upon, or n any physical or in any other relation whatsoever, to such goods.
In relation to goods, shall be construed as a reference to the use of the mark as or as part
of any statement about the availability, provision or performance of such services.
To the Registrar shall be construed as including a reference to any officer when
discharging the functions of the Registrar in pursuance of sub-section (2) of section 3.
To the Trade Marks Registry shall be construed as including a reference to any office of
the Trade Marks Registry.
For the purposes of this Act, goods and services are associated with each other if it is
likely that those goods might be sold or otherwise traded in and those services might be
provided by the same business and so with description of goods and descriptions of
services.


For the purposes of this Act, "existing registered trade mark" means a trade mark
registered under the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958 (43 of 1958) immediately
before the commencement of this Act.
Chapter 2 The Register and Conditions for Registration
3. Appointment of Registrar and other officers.- (1) The Central Government may, by
notification in the Official Gazette, appoint a person to be known as the Controller-
General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, who shall be the Registrar of Trade Mark
for the purposes of this Act.
The Central Government may appoint such other officers with such designations as it
thinks fit for the purpose of discharging, under the superintendence and direction of the
Registrar, such functions of the Registrar under this Act as he may from time to time
authorise them to discharge.
4. Power of Registrar to withdraw or transfer cases, etc.- Without prejudice to the
generality of the provisions of such-section (2) of section 3, the Registrar may, by order
in writing and for reasons to be recorded therein, withdraw any matter pending before an
officer appointed under the said sub-section (2) and deal with such matter himself either
de novo or from the stage it was so withdrawn or transfer the same to another officer so
appointed who may, subject to special directions in the order of transfer, proceed with the
matter either de novo or from the stage it was so transferred.
5. Trade Marks Registry and officers thereof.- (1) For the purposes of this Act, there
shall be a trade marks registry and the Trade Marks Registry established under the Trade
and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958 (43 of 1958) shall be the Trade Marks Registry under
this Act.
The head office of the Trade Marks Registry shall be at such place as the Central
Government may specify, and for the purpose of facilitating the registration of trade
marks, there may be established at such places as the Central Government may think fit
branch offices of the Trade Marks Registry.
The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, define the territorial
limits within which an office of the Trade Marks Registry may exercise its functions.
(4) There shall be a seal of the Trade Mark Registry.
6. The Register of Trade Marks.- (1) For the purposes of this Act, a record called the
Register of Trade Mark shall be kept at the head office of the Trade Marks Registry,
wherein shall be entered all registered trade mark with the names, addresses and
description of the proprietors, notifications of assignment and transmissions, the name,
addresses and description of registered users, conditions, limitations and such other
matters relating to registered trade mark as may be prescribed.
1. Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) it shall be lawful for the
Registrar to keep the records wholly or partly in computer floppies diskettes or in any
other electronic form subject to such safeguards as may be prescribed.
Where such register is maintained wholly or party on computer under sub-section (2) any
reference in this Act to entry in the register shall be construed as the reference to any
entry as maintained on computer or in any other electronic form.
No notice of any trust, express or implied or constructive, shall be entered in the register
and no such notice shall be receivable by the Registrar.
The register shall be kept under the control and management of the Registrar.


There shall be kept at each branch office of the Trade Marks Registry a copy of the
register and such of the other documents mentioned in section 148 as the Central
Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct.
The Register of Trade Marks, both Part A and Part B, existing at the commencement of
this Act, shall be incorporated in and from part of the register under this Act.
7. Classification of goods and services.- (1) The Register shall classify goods and
services, as far as may be, in accordance with the International classification of goods and
services for the purposes of registration of trade marks.
Any question arising to the class within which any goods or services falls shall be
determined by the Register whose decision shall be final.
8. Publication of alphabetical index.- (1) The Registrar may publish in the prescribed
manner an alphabetical index of classification of gods and services referred to in section
7.
Where any goods or services are not specified in the alphabetical index of goods and
services published under sub-section (1), the classification of goods or services shall be
determined by the Registrar in accordance with sub-section (2) of section 7.
9. Absolute grounds for refusal of registration.- (1) The trade marks -
(a) Which are devoid of any distinctive character, that is to say, not capable of
distinguishing the good or services of one person from those of another person.
(b) Which consist exclusively of marks or indications which may serve in trade to
designate the kind, quality, quantity, intended purpose, values, geographical origin or the
time of production f the goods or rendering of the service or other characteristics of the
goods or service.
© Which consist exclusively of marks or indications which have become customary in
the current language or in the bona fide and established practices of the trade.
Shall not be registered:
Provided that a trade mark shall not be refused registration if before the date of
application for registration it has acquired a distinctive character as a result of the use
made of it or is a well-known trade mark.
1. A mark shall not be registered as a trade mark if-
(a) it is of such nature as to deceive the public or cause confusion.
(b) It contains or comprises of any matter likely to hurt the religious susceptibilities of
any class of section of the citizens of India.
© It comprises or contains scandalous or obscene matter.
(d) Its use is prohibited under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use)
Act, 1950 (12 of 1950).
1. A mark shall not be registered as a trade mark if it consists exclusively of-
2. the shape of goods which results from the nature of the goods themselves. Or
(a) the shape of good which is necessary to obtain a technical result, or
(b) the shape which gives substantial value of the goods.
Explanation.- For the purposes of this section, the nature of goods or services in relation
to which the trade mark is used to proposed to be used shall not be a ground for refusal of
registration.
10. Limitation as to colour.- (1) A trade mark may be limited wholly or in part to any
combination of colours and any such limitation shall be taken into consideration by the
tribunal having to decide on the distinctive character of the trade mark.


(2) So far as a trade mark is registered without limitation of colour, it shall be deemed to
be registered for all colours.
11. Relative grounds for refusal of registration.- (1) Save as provided in section 12,
trade mark shall not be registered if, because of- (a) its identity with an earlier trade mark
and similarly of goods or services covered by the trade mark, or
(b) its similarity to an earlier trade mark and the identity or similarity of the goods of
services covered by the trade mark.
There exists a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public, which includes the
likelihood of association with the earlier trade mark.
(2) A trade mark which - (a) is identical with or similar to an earlier trade mark, and
(b) is to be registered for goods or services which are not similar to those for which the
earlier trade mark is registered in the name of a different proprietor.
Shall not be registered if or to the extent the earlier trade mark is a well-known trade
mark in India and use of the later mark without due cause would take unfair advantage of
or be detrimental to the distinctive character or repute of the earlier trade mark.
(3) A trade mark shall not be registered if, or to the extent that, its use in India is liable to
be prevented - (a) by virtue of any law in particular the law of passing off protecting an
unregistered trade mark used in the course of trade, or
(b) by virtue of law of copyright.
(4) Nothing in this section shall prevent the registration of a trade mark where the
proprietor of the earlier trade mark or other earlier right consents to the registration, and
in such case the Registrar may register the mark under special circumstances under
section 12.
Explanation.- For the purposes of this section, earlier trade mark means-
(a) a registered trade mark or convention application referred to in section 154 which has
a date of application earlier than that of the trade mark in question, taking account, where
appropriate, of the priorities claimed in respect of the trade marks.
(b) a trade mark which, on the date of the application for registration of the trade mark in
question, or where appropriate, of the priority claimed in respect of the application, was
entitled to protection as a well-known trade mark.
(5) A trade mark shall not be refused registration on the grounds specified in sub-section
(2) and (3), unless objection on any one or more of those grounds is raised in opposition
proceedings by the proprietor of the earlier trade mark.
(6) The Registrar shall, while determining whether a trade mark is a well-known trade
mark, take into account any fact which he considers relevant for determining a trade mark
as a well-known trade mark including - (i) the knowledge or recognition of that trade
mark in the relevant section of the public including knowledge in India obtained as a
result of promotion of the trade mark.
(ii) the duration, extent and geographical area of any use of that trade mark.
(iii) the duration, extent and geographical area of any promotion of the trade mark,
including advertising or publicity and presentation, at fairs or exhibition of the gods or
services to which the trade mark applies.
(iv) the duration and geographical area of any registration of or any publication for
registration of that trade mark under this Act to the extent they reflect the use or
recognition of the trade mark.


(v) the record of successful enforcement of the rights in that trade mark, in particular, the
extent to which the trade mark has been recognised as a well-known trade mark by any
court on Registrar under that record.
(7) The Registrar shall, while determining as to whether a trade mark is known or
recongnised in a relevant section of the public for the purposes of sub-section (6), take
into account.
(i) the number of actual or potential consumers of the goods or services.
(ii) the number of persons involved in the channels of distribution of the goods or
services.
(iii) the business circles dealing with the goods or services.
To which that trade mark applies.
(8) Where a trade mark has been determined to be well-known in at least one relevant
section of the public in India by any court or Registrar, the Registrar shall consider that
trade mark as a well-known trade mark for registration under this Act.
(9) The Registrar shall not require as a condition, for determining whether a trade mark is
a well-known trade mark, the any of the following, namely:-
(i) that the trade mark has been used in India,
(ii) that the trade mark has been registered.
(iii) that the application for registration of the trade mark has been filed in India.
(IV) that the trade mark - (a) is well known in; or
(b) has been registered in; or
© in respect of which an application for registration has been filed in, any jurisdiction
other than India; or
(v) that the trade mark is well known to the public at large in India.
(10) While considering an application for registration of a trade mark and opposition filed
in respect thereof, the Registrar shall--
(i) protect a well known trade mark against the identical or similar trade marks;
(ii) take into consideration the bad faith involved either of the applicant or the opponent
affecting the right relating to the trade mark.
(11) Where a trade mark has been registered in good faith disclosing the material
informations to the Registrar of where right to a trade mark has been acquired through
use in good faith before the commencement of this Act, then, nothing in this Act shall
prejudice the validity of the registration of the trade mark or right to use that trade mark
on the ground that such trade mark is identical with or similar to a well known trade
mark.
12. Registration in the case of honest concurrent use, etc.-- In the case of honest
concurrent use or of other special circumstances which in the opinion of the Registrar,
make it proper so to do, he may permit the registration by more than one proprietor of the
trade marks which are identical or similar (whether any such trade mark is already
registered or not) in respect of the same or similar goods or services, subject to such
conditions and limitations, if any, as the Registrar may think fit to impose.
13. Prohibition of registration of names of chemical elements or international non
proprietary names. - No word - (a) which is the commonly used and accepted name of
any single chemical element or any single chemical compound (as distinguished from a
mixture) in respect of a chemical substance or preparation, or


(b) which is declared by the World Health Organisation and notified in the prescribed
manner by the Registrar from time to time, as an international non -- proprietary name or
which is deceptively similar to such name.
Shall be registered as a trade mark and any such registration shall be deemed for the
purpose of section 57 to be an entry made in the register without sufficient cause or an
entry wrongly remaining on the register, as the circumstances may require.
14. Use of names and representations of living persons or persons recently dead.--
Where an application is made for the registration of a trade mark which falsely suggests a
connection with any living person, or a person whose death took place within twenty
years prior to the date of application for registration of the trade mark, the Registrar may,
before he proceeds with the application, require the applicant to furnish him with the
consent in writing of such living person or, as the case may be, of the legal representative
of the deceased person to the connection appearing on the trade mark, and may refuse to
proceed with the application unless the applicant furnishes the Registrar with such
consent.
15. Registration of parts of trade marks and of trade marks as a series. --
(1) Where the proprietor of a trade mark claims to be entitled to be entitled to the
exclusive use of any part thereof separately, he may apply to register the whole and the
part as separate trade marks.
(2) Each such separate trade mark shall satisfy all the conditions applying to and have all
the incidents of, an independent trade mark.
(3) Where a person claiming to be the proprietor of several trade marks in respect of the
same or similar goods or services or description of goods or description of services,
which, while resembling each other in the material particulars thereof, yet differ in
respect of--
(a) statement of the goods or services in relation to which they are respectively used or
proposed to be used; or
(b) statement ofnumber, price, quality or names of places; or
© other matter of a non distinctive character which does not substantially affect the
identity of the trade mark; or
(d) colour, seeks to register those trade marks, they may be registered as a series in one
registration.
16. Registration of trade marks as associated trade marks. - (1) Where a trade mark
which is registered, or is the subject of an application for registration, in respect of any
goods or services is identical with another trade mark which is registered, or is the subject
of an application for registration, in the name of the same services or description of
services or so nearly resembles it as to be likely to deceive or cause confusion if used by
a person other than the proprietor, the Registrar may, at any time, require that the trade
marks shall be entered on the register as associated trade marks.
(2) Where there is an identify or near resemblance of marks that are registered, or are the
subject of applications for registration in the name of the same proprietor, in respect of
good and in respect of goods and in respect of services which are associated with those
goods or goods of that description and with those services or services of that description,
sub section (1) shall apply as it applies as where there is an identity or near resemblance
of marks that are registered, or are the subject of applications for registration, in the name


of the same proprietor in respect of the same goods or description of goods or same
services or description of services.
(3) Where a trade mark and any part thereof are, in accordance with the provisions of sub
section (1) of section 15, registered as separate trade marks in the name of the same
proprietor, they shall be deemed to be, and shall be registered as, associated trade marks.
(4) All trade marks registered in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (3) of
section 15 as a series in one in one registration shall be deemed to be, and shall be
registered as, associated trade marks.
(5) On application made in the prescribe manner by the registered proprietor of two or
more trade marks registered as associated trade marks, the Registrar may dissolve the
association as respects any of them if he is satisfied that there would be no likelihood of
deception or confusion being caused if that trade mark were used by any other person in
relation to any of the goods or services or both in respect of which it is registered, and
may amend the register accordingly.
17. Effect of registration of parts of a mark.- (1) When a trade mark consists of several
matters, its registration shall confer on the proprietor exclusive right to the use of the
trade mark as a whole.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), when a trade mark-
(a) contains any part-
(i) which is not the subject of a separate application by the proprietor for registration as a
trade mark; or
(ii) which is not separately registered by the proprietor as a trade mark; or
(b) contains any matter which is common to the trade or is otherwise of a non-distinctive
character, the registration thereof shall not confer any exclusive right in the matter
forming only a part of the whole of the trade mark so registered.
Chapter 3 Procedure for and Duration of Registration
18. Application for registration. - (1) Any person claiming to be the proprietor of a
trade mark used or proposed to be used by him, who is desirous of registering it, shall
apply in writing to the Registrar in the prescribed manner for the registration of his trade
mark.
(2) A single application may be made for registration of a trade mark for different classes
of gods and services and fee payable therefor shall be in respect of each such class of
goods or services.
(3) Every application under sub-section (1) shall be filed in the office of the Trade Mark
Registry within whose territorial limits the principal place of business in India of the
applicant or in the case of joint applicants the principal place of business in India of the
applicant whose name is first mentioned in the application as having a place of business
in India, is situate:
(4) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Registrar may refuse the application or may
accept it absolutely or subject to such amendments, modifications, conditions or
limitations, if any, as he may think fit.
(5) In the case of a refusal or conditional acceptance of an application, the Registrar shall
record in writing the grounds for such refusal or conditional acceptance and the materials
used by him in arriving at his decision.
19. Withdrawal of acceptance.- Where, after the acceptance of an application for
registration of a trade mark but before its registration, the Registrar is satisfied.-


(a) that the application has been accepted in error; or
(b) that in the circumstances of the case of the trade mark should not be registered or
should be registered subject to conditions or limitations or to conditions additional to or
different from the conditions or limitations subject to which the application has been
accepted,
20. Advertisement of application. - (1) When an application for registration of a trade
mark has been accepted whether absolutely or subject to conditions or limitations, the
Registrar shall, as soon as may be after acceptance, cause the application as accepted
together with the conditions or limitations, if any, subject to which it has been accepted,
ton be advertised in the prescribed manner:
Provided that the Registrar may cause the application to be advertised before acceptance
if it relates to a trade mark to which sub-section (1) of section 9 and sub-section (1) and
(2) of section 11 apply, or in any other case where it appears to him that it is expedient by
reason of any exceptional circumstances so to do.
(2) Where --
(a) an application has been advertised before acceptance under sub-section (1);
(b) after advertisement of an application,-
(i) an error in the application has been advertised before acceptance under sub-section
(1); or
(ii) the application has been permitted to be amended under section 22, the Registrar may
in his discretion cause the application to be advertised again or in any case failing under
clause (b) may, instead of causing the application to be advertised again, notify in the
prescribed manner the correction or amendment made in the application.
21. Opposition to registration.- (1) Any person may, within three months from the date
of the advertisement or re-advertisement of an application for registration or within such
further period, not exceeding one month in the aggregate, as the Registrar, on application
made to him in the prescribed manner and on payment of the prescribed fee, allows, give
notice in writing in the prescribed manner to the Registrar, of opposition to the
registration.
(2) The Registration shall serve a copy of the notice on the applicant for registration and,
within two months from the receipt by the applicant of such copy of the notice of
opposition, the applicant shall send to the Registrar in the prescribed manner a counter-
statement of the grounds on which he relies for his application, and if he does not do so
he shall be deemed to have abandoned his application.
(3) If the applicant sends such counter-statement, the Registrar shall serve a copy thereof
on the person giving notice of opposition.
(4) Any evidence upon which the opponent and the applicant may rely shall be submitted
in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed time to the Registrar, and the
Registrar shall give an opportunity to them to be heard, if they do desire.
(5) The Registrar shall, after hearing the parties, if so required, and considering the
evidence, decide whether and subject to what conditions or limitations, if any, the
registration is to be permitted, and may take into account a ground of objection whether
relied upon by the opponent or not.
(6) Where a person giving notice of opposition or an applicant sending a counter
statement after receipt of a copy of such notice neither resides nor carries on business in
India, the Registrar may require him to give security for the costs of proceedings before


him, and in default of such security being duly given, may treat the opposition or
application, as the case may be, as abandoned.
(7) The Registrar may, on request, permit correction of any error in, or any amendment
of, a notice of opposition or a counter-statement or such terms as he thinks just.
22. Correction and amendment.- The Registrar may, on such terms as he thinks just, at
any time, whether before or after acceptance of an application for registration under
section 18, permit the correction of any error in or in connection with the application or
permit an amendment of the application.
Provided that if an amendment -- The Registrar may, on such terms as he thinks just, at
any time, whether before acceptance if it relates to a trade mark to which sub-section (1)
of section 9 and sub-section (1) and (2) of section 11 apply, or in any other case where it
appears to him that it is expedient by reason of any exceptional circumstance so to do.
23. Registration.- (1) Subject to the provisions of section 19, when an application for
registration of a trade mark has been accepted and either-
(a) the application has not been opposed and the time for notice of opposition has
expired, or
(b) the application has been opposed and the opposition has been decided in favour of the
applicant.
The registrar shall, unless the Central Government otherwise directs, register the said
trade mark and the trade mark when registered shall be registered as of the date of the
making of the said application and that date shall, subject to the provisions of section
154, be deemed to be the date of registration.
(2) On the registration of a trade mark, the Registration shall issue to the applicant a
certificate in the prescribed form of the registration thereof, sealed with the seal of the
Trade Marks Registry.
(3) Where registration of a trade mark, is not completed within twelve months from the
date of application by reason of default on the part of the applicant, the Registrar may,
after notice to the applicant in the prescribed manner, treat the application as abandoned
unless it is completed within the time specified in that behalf in the notice.
(4) The Registrar may amend the register a certificate of registration for the purpose of
correcting a clerical error or an obvious mistake.
24. Jointly owned trade marks.- (1) Save as provided in sub-section (2), nothing in this
Act shall authorise the registration of two or more persons who use a trade mark
independently, or propose so to use it, as joint proprietors thereof.
(2) Where the relations between two or more persons interested in a trade mark are such
that no one of them is entitled as between himself and the other or others of them to use it
except-
(a) on behalf of both or all of them, or
(b) in relation to an article or service with which both or all of them are connected in the
course of trade.
Those persons may be registered as joint proprietors of the trade mark, and this Act shall
have effect in relation to any rights to the use of the trade mark vested in those persons as
if those rights had been vested in a single person.
25. Duration, renewal, removal and restoration and registration.- (1) The registration
of trade mark, after the commencement of this Act, shall be for a period of ten years, but
may be renewed from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this section.


(2) The Registrar shall, on application made by the registered proprietor of a trade mark
in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed period and subject to payment of the
prescribed fee, renew the registration of the trade mark for a period of ten years from the
date of expiration of the original registration or of the last renewal of registration, as the
case may be (which date is in this section referred to as the expiration of the last
registration).
(3) At the prescribed time before the explanation of the last registration of a trade mark
the Registrar shall send notice in the prescribed manner to the registered proprietor of the
date of expiration and the conditions as to payment of fees and otherwise upon which a
renewal of registration may be obtained, and, if at the expiration of the time prescribed in
that behalf those conditions have not been dully complied with the Registrar may remove
the trade mark from the register.
Provided that the Registrar shall not remove the trade mark from the register if an
application is made in the prescribed form and the prescribed fee and surcharge is paid
within six months from the expiration f the last registration of the trade mark and shall
renew the registration of the trade mark for a period of ten years under sub-section (2).
(4) Where a trade mark has been removed from the register for non-payment of the
prescribed fee, the Registrar shall, after six months and within one year from the
expiration of the last registration of the trade mark, on receipt of an application in the
prescribed form and on payment of the prescribed fee, it satisfied that it is just so to do,
restore the trade mark to the register and renew the registration of the trade mark either
generally or subject to such conditions or limitations as he thinks fit to impose, for a
period of ten years from the expiration of the last registration.
26. Effect of removal from register for failure to pay fee for removal - Where a trade
mark has been removed has been removed from the register the register for failure to pay
the fee for renewal, it shall nevertheless, for the purpose of any application for the
registration of another trade mark during one year, next after the date of the removal, be
deemed to be a trade mark already on the register, unless the tribunal is satisfied either-
(a) that there has been no bona fide trade use of the trade mark which has been removed
during the two years immediately preceding its removal, or
(b) that no deception or confusion would be likely to arise from the use of the trade mark
which is the subject of the application for registration by reason of any pervious use of
the trade mark which has been removed.
Chapter 4 Effect of Registration
27. No action for infringement of unregistered trade mark.- (1) No person shall be
entitled to institute to institute any proceeding to prevent, or to recover damages for, the
infringement of an unregistered trade mark.
(2) Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to affect rights of action against any person for
passing off goods or services as the goods of another person or as services provided by
another person, or the remedies in respect thereof.
28. Rights conferred by registration.- (1) Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the
registration of a trade mark shall, if valid, give to the registered proprietor of the trade
mark the exclusive right to the use of the trade mark in relation to the goods or service in
respect of which the trade mark is registered and to obtain relief in respect of
infringement of the trade mark in the manner provided by this Act.


(2) The exclusive right to the use of a trade mark given under sub-section (1) shall be
subject to any conditions and limitations to which the registration is subject.
(3) Where two or more persons are registered proprietors of trade marks, which are
identical with or nearly resemble reach other, the exclusive right to the use of any of
those trade marks shall not (except so far as their respective rights are subject to any
conditions or limitations entered on the register) be deemed to have been acquired by any
one of those persons as against any other of those persons merely by registration of the
trade marks but each of those persons have otherwise the same rights as against other
persons (not being registered proprietor.
29. Infringement of registered trade marks.- (1) A registered trade mark is infringed
by a person who, not being a registered proprietor or a person using by way of permitted
use, uses in the course of trade, a mark which is identical with, or deceptively similar to,
the trade mark in relation to goods or services in respect of which the trade mark is
registered and in such manner as to render the use of the mark likely to be taken as being
used as a trade mark.
(2) A registered trade mark is infringed by a person who, not being a registered proprietor
or a person using by way of permitted use, uses in the course of trade, a mark which
because of-
(a) its identify with the registered trade mark and the similarly of the goods or services
covered by such registered trade mark or,
(b) its similarly to the registered trade mark and the identity or similarly of the goods or
services covered by such registered trade mark, or
© its identity with the registered trade mark and the identity of the goods or services
covered by such registered trade mark, is likely to cause confusion on the part of the
public, or which is likely to have an association with the registered trade mark.
(3) In any case falling under clause © of sub-section (2), the court shall presume that it is
likely to cause confusion on the part of the public.
(4) A registered trade mark is infringed by a person who, not being a registered proprietor
or a person using by way of permitted use, uses in the course of trade, a mark which-
(a) is identical with or similar to the registered trade mark, and
(b) is used in relation to goods or services which are not similar to those for which the
trade mark is registered, and
© the registered trade mark has a reputation in India and the use of the mark without due
cause takes unfair advantage of or is detrimental to, the distinctive character or repute of
the registered trade mark.
(5) A registered trade mark is infringed by a person if he uses such registered trade mark,
as his trade name or part of his trade name, or name is his business concern or part of the
name, of his business concern dealing in goods or services in respect of which the trade
mark is registered.
(6) For the purposes of this section, a person uses a registered mark, if, in particular, he-
(a) affixes it to goods or the packaging thereof,
(b) offers or exposes goods for sale, puts them on the market, or stocks them for those
purposes under the registered trade mark, or offers or supplies services under the
registered trade mark.
© imports or exports goods under the mark, or
(d) uses the registered trade mark on business papers or in advertising.


(7) A registered trade mark is infringed by a person who applies such registered trade
mark to a material intended to be used for labeling or packaging goods, as a business
paper, or for advertising goods or services, provided such person, when he applied the
mark, knew or had reason to believe that the application of the mark was not duly
authorised by the proprietor or a licensee.
(8) A registered trade mark is infringed by any advertising of that trade mark if such
advertising-
(a) takes unfair advantage of and is contrary to honest practices in industrial or
commercial matters, or
(b) is detrimental to its distinctive character, or
© is against the reputation of the trade mark
(9) Where the distinctive elements of a registered trade mark consists of or include
words, the trade mark may be infringed by the spoken use of those words as well as by
their visual representation and reference in this section to the use of a mark shall be
construed accordingly.
30. Limits of effect of registered trade mark.- (1) Nothing in section 29 shall be
construed as preventing the use of a registered trade mark by any person for the purposes
ofidentifying goods or services as those of the proprietor provided the use-
(a) is in accordance with hones practices in industrial or commercial matters, and
(b) is not such as to take unfair advantage of or be detrimental to the distinctive character
or repute of the trade mark.
(2) A registered trade mark is not infringed where-
(a) the use in relation to goods or services indicated the kind, quality, quantity, intended
purposes, value, geographical origin, the time of production of goods or rendering of
services or other characteristics of goods or services.
(b) a trade mark is registered subject to any conditions or limitations, the use of the trade
mark in any manner in relation to goods to be sold or otherwise traded in, in any place, or
in relation to goods to be exported to any market or in relation to services for use or
available or acceptance in any place of country outside India or in any other
circumstances, to which, having regard to those conditions or limitations, the registration
does not extend.
© the use by a person of a trade mark-
(i) in relation to goods connected in the course of trade with the proprietor or a registered
user of the trade mark if, as to those goods or a bulk or which they from part, the
registered proprietor or the registered user conforming to the permitted use has applied
the trade mark and user conforming to the permitted use has applied to the trade mark and
has not subsequently removed or obliterated it, or has at any time expertly or impliedly
consented to the use of the trade mark, or
(ii) in relation to services to which the proprietor of such mark or of a registered user
conforming to the permitted use has applied the mark, where the purpose and effect of the
use of the mark is to indicate, in accordance with the fact, that those services have been
performed by the proprietor or a registered use of the mark is to indicate, in accordance
with the fact, that those services have been performed by the proprietor or a registered
user of the mark.
(d) the use of a trade mark by a person in relation to goods adapted to form part of, or to
be accessory to, other goods or services in relation to which the trade mark has been used


without infringement of the right given by registration under this Act or might for the
time being be so used, if the goods or services are so adapted, and neither the purpose nor
the effect of the use of the trade mark is to indicate, otherwise than in accordance with the
fact, a connection in the course of trade between any person and the goods or services, as
the case may be,
(e) the use of a registered trade mark, being one of two or more trade marks registered
under this Act which are identical or nearly resemble each other, in exercise of the right
to the use of that trade mark given by registration under this Act.
(3) Where the goods bearing a registered trade mark are lawfully acquired by a person,
the sale of the goods in the market or otherwise dealing in those goods by that person or
by a person claiming under a through him is not infringement of a trade by reason only
of-
(a) the registered trade mark having been assigned by the registered proprietor to some
other person, after the acquisition of those goods, or
(b) the goods having been put on the market under the registered trade mark by the
proprietor or with his consent.
(4) Sub-section (3) shall not apply where the there exists legitimate reasons for the
proprietor to oppose further dealing in the goods in particular, where the condition of the
goods, has been changed or impaired after they have been put on the market.
31. Registration to be prima facie evidence of validity.- (I) In all legal proceedings
relating to a trade mark registered under this Act (including applications under section
57), the original registration of the trade mark and of all subsequent assignments and
transmissions of the trade mark shall be prima facie evidence of the validity thereof.
(2) In all legal proceeding as aforesaid a registered trade mark shall not be held to be
invalid on the ground that it was not a registrable trade mark under section 9 except upon
evidence of distinctiveness and that such evidence was not submitted to the Registrar
before registration, if it is proved that the trade mark had been so used by the registered
proprietor or his predecessor in title as to have become distinctive at the date of
registration.
32. Protection of registration on ground of distinctiveness in certain cases.- Where a
trade mark is registered in breach of sub-section (1) of section 9, it shall not be declared
invalid if, no consequence of the use which has been made it, it has after registration and
before commencement of any legal proceedings challenging the validity of such
registration, acquired a distinctive character in relation to the goods or services for which
it is registered.
33. Effect of acquiescence.- (1) Where the proprietor of an earlier trade mark has
acquiesced for a continuous period of five years in the use of a registered trade mark,
being aware of that use, he shall no longer be entitled on the basis of that earlier trade
mark-
(a) to apply for a declaration that the registration of the later trade mark is invalid, or
(b) to oppose the use of the later trade mark in relation to the goods or services in relation
to which it has been so used, unless the registration of the later trade mark was not
applied in good faith.
(2) Where sub-section (1) applies, the proprietor of the later trade mark is not entitled to
oppose the use of the earlier trade mark, or as the case may be, the exploitation of the


earlier right, notwithstanding that the earlier mark may no longer be invoked against his
later trade mark.
34. Saving for vested rights. - Nothing in this Act shall entitle the proprietor or a
registered user of registered trade mark to interfere with or restrain the use by any person
of a trade mark identical with or nearly resembling it in relation to goods or services in
relation to which that person or a predecessor in title of his has continuously used that
trade mark from a date prior-
(a) to the use of the first-mentioned trade mark in relation to those goods or services be
the proprietor or a predecessor in title of his, or
(b) to the date of registration of the first-mentioned trade mark in respect of those goods
or services in the name of the proprietor of a predecessor in title of his.
Whichever is the earlier, and the Registrar shall not refuse (on such use being proved), to
register the second mentioned trade mark by reason only of the registration of the first
mentioned trade mark.
35. Saving for use of name, address or description of goods or services.- Nothing in
this Act shall entitle the proprietor or a registered user of a registered trade mark to
interfere with any bona fide use by a person of his own name or that of this place of
business, or of the name, or of the name of the name of