On February 8, 2019 the Government of Hong Kong published the Trade Marks (Amendment) Bill and introduced it into the Legislative Council on February 20, 2019.
The bill is aimed at amending the Trade Marks Ordinance with a view to introducing an international registration system in accordance with the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks after it is submitted to Hong Kong.
The Madrid Protocol provides a mechanism for seeking registration of a trademark in the register of the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization as well as a search mechanism to extend the protection of such a trademark in several jurisdictions through a single application process.
The Government stated that the implementation of the protocol will save enterprises` time and costs in obtaining and managing international trademark registrations. Its implementation is consistent with the Government’s commitment to strengthening Hong Kong’s intellectual property regime.
The Madrid Protocol has 103 contracting parties including China and many other major trading partners of Hong Kong, but it has yet to apply to the city.
