BUSINESS LEGISLATION SEMINAR TOPIC TRADE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES

PRESENTED BY, MINUTHA & SARASWATHI III SEM OF MBA MAHARANI S COLLEGE SUBMITTED TO, DR.K.P.VEENA MAM DEPARTMENT OF MBA MAHARANI S COLLEGE

TRADEMARKS AND TRADE NAMES

 It deals with good will attached to marketing symbols, trademarks, trade names or get up by actual use in relation to some product or service  Examples Reebok, Mc Donald s, Nike, Levis etc.  The Trade Marks law is contained in Trade Marks Act, 1999

TRADEMARKS
Trademark is a symbol that indicates who is responsible for the goods placed in the market Trademarks help to distinguish between the goods of competing traders Trademark helps a customer to buy goods of a certain quality (e.g. color, size, weight, fragrance, taste.)

TRADEMARKS
Trademarks must be clear and distinct from each other Trademarks may be in form of a letter, numeral, whole sentence, picture, combination of words and devices, label etc. Trademark may also be three-dimensional (e.g. neck of bottle)

TRADE NAMES
Trade names are names, terms or designations that serve to identify and distinguish an enterprise and its business activities from those of other enterprise and its business activities Whereas the trademark distinguishes the goods or services of an enterprise, a trade name identifies the entire enterprise and symbolizes the reputation and goodwill of the business as a whole.

TRADE NAMES
The main reason for protecting trademark and trade names against infringement is that the public might be misled into thinking that two separate enterprises using same or confusingly similar trademark or a trade name constitute one and the same enterprise It is not only harmful to the consumers but it also permits the infringing enterprise to benefit unfairly.

SERVICE MARKS
Where a trademark is used in connection with services, it may be called service mark . Service marks are used by hotels, restaurants, airlines, tourist agencies, laundries and cleaners etc.

TRADE MARKS ACT, 1999

INTRODUCTION Patents, designs and copyright are protected only for a limited period. On the other hand, in general, a registered trade mark can be protected in perpetuity subject only to the following conditions: It is used and renewed periodically and The registered proprietor takes prompt action against infringers.

TRADE MARKS ACT, 1999

First TM registered in UK under No. 1 of 1876 consisting of red equilateral triangle in respect of alcoholic beverage is still in force. The present Trade Marks Act, 1999 has replaced the Trade and Merchandise Marks Act, 1958. And the Trade Marks Act, 1999 has been brought into force only on 15th September 2003. The Trade Mark Rules, 2002 are passed under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.

OBJECTIVES OF THE TM ACT, 1999

A comprehensive review of TM Law was required in view of  Developments in trading and commercial practices Increasing globalization of trade and industry The need to encourage investment flows and transfer of technology Need for simplification & harmonization of trade mark management systems and To give effect to important judicial decisions

TM Act, 1999 was passed with objectives

a) To provide for registration of trade mark for services, in addition to goods; b) Registration of trade marks, which are imitation of well known trade marks, not to be permitted, besides enlarging the grounds for refusal of registration; c) Amplification of factors to be considered for defining a well known mark; d) To provide only a single register with simplified procedure for registration and with equal rights;

TM Act, 1999 was passed with objectives

e) Providing for registration of collective marks owned by associations; f) Providing an Appellate Board for speedy disposal of appeals ad rectification applications; g) Providing enhanced punishment for the offences relating to trade marks; h) Prohibiting someone else s trademark as part of corporate names, or name of business concern;

TM Act, 1999 was passed with objectives

i) Provision for filing a single application for registration in more than one class; j) Increasing the period of registration and renewal from 7 to 10 years;

HOW TO SELECT A TRADEMARK

If it is a word it should be easy to speak, spell and remember. The best trade marks are invented words or coined words. Please avoid selection of a geographical name. No one can have monopoly right on it. Avoid adopting laudatory word or words that describe the quality of goods (such as best, perfect, super etc) It is advisable to conduct a market survey and a search at Trademark office to ascertain if same/similar mark is used in market.

MEANING AND DEFINITION OF TM

At times the consumers are duped when they buy commodities presuming them to have originated from a certain identified source, when actually they have not, and after buying such commodity it is found to be substandard.

Examples: Parachute Oil, Fair and Lovely cream, Lifebuoy soap etc. have many look-alikes in the market.

MEANING AND DEFINITION OF TM

In such case, the reputation of the trader/manufacturer suffers if spurious goods are sold as those originating from him. Therefore, the interest of consumer and the trader can be saved if a definite symbol which marks out the origin of goods from a definite trade source is attached. Such symbol is called a trade mark. E.g. M of Mc Donald written in Yellow in a peculiar shape is a TM. Such symbol is called as TM.

MEANING AND DEFINITION OF TM

Trade Mark is a visual symbol in the form ofA word, device or label Applied to articles of commerce With a view to indicate to the purchasing public that They are goods manufactured or Otherwise dealt in by a particular person or particular organization As distinguished from similar goods manufactured or dealt by others

MEANING AND DEFINITION OF TM

TM is a visual representation attached to goods for the purpose of indicating their trade origin. Examples: Lakme distinguishes the goods of Lakme Company from that of Revlon .

MEANING AND DEFINITION OF TM

A person who sells his goods under a particular trade mark acquires limited exclusive right to use of the mark in relation to those goods. A trade mark may be registered or unregistered. An unregistered trade mark is called common law mark. A trade mark when registered gets a stable existence. A registered trade mark can be in relation not only to its existing use but also for a proposed use.

MEANING AND DEFINITION OF TM

The proprietor of an unregistered trade mark shall not be entitled to institute any proceeding to prevent, or to recover damages for, the infringement of an unregistered trademark. However, such proprietor of unregistered trade mark shall have common law remedy to take action against another person, for passing off goods as goods of the proprietor, or passing off services as services provided by proprietor.

STATUTORY DEFINITIONS
MARK: Section 2(1) (m) of TM Act, 1999 defines Mark as Mark includes a Device, brand, heading, label, ticket, name, signature, word, letter, numeral, shape of goods, packing or combination of colours or any combination thereof. Example M written in a particular style with yellow colour for MacDonalds ; 555/777 numerical used for detergent soaps; signature used as a mark for alcohol etc.

STATUTORY DEFINITIONS
TRADE MARK: Section 2 (1) (zb) Trade mark is defined as a mark capable of being represented graphically and that is capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one person from those of others and may include shape of goods, their packing and other combination of colours. E.g. Colgate, Bata, Pantene etc.

STATUTORY DEFINITIONS
SERVICE MARK: Section 2 (1) (z) It means service of any description that is made available to any potential users and includes the provision of service in connection with business of any industrial or commercial matters such as banking, communications, education, financing, insurance, chit funds, real estate, transport, storage, material treatment, processing, supply of electrical or other energy, boarding, loading entertainment amusement, construction, repair, conveying of news or information and advertising.

STATUTORY DEFINITIONS
WELL KNOWN TRADE MARK: Section 2(1) (zg) Well known trade mark in relation to any goods or services, means a mark which has become 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 firstmentioned goods or services. Example: Coco Cola, Frooti, Bata.

STATUTORY DEFINITIONS
COLLECTIVE MARK: Section 2(1) (g) A Trade mark distinguishing the goods or services of members of an association of persons not being partnership firm from those of others The proprietor of the mark is the association. The goods and services of a company or group of companies like GODREJ or HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LTD. may be the subject matter of collective Trade mark. It is not to be registered if it is likely to deceive or cause confusion to the public.

STATUTORY DEFINITIONS
CERTIFICATION TRADE MARK: Section 2 (1) (e) There is a species of trade mark called as Certification Trade mark. Its function is to indicate that the proprietor of the mark has certified the goods bearing the mark as to certain characteristics of the goods. e.g. Geographical origin, ingredients and so on such as ISI, AGMARK.

STATUTORY DEFINITIONS
PROPERTY MARKS Section 479 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 provides that A mark used for denoting that moveable property belongs to a particular person is called a property mark. The distinction between trade mark and property mark is not recognized in English Law. However in India, the distinction between a trade mark and a property mark is as follows:

STATUTORY DEFINITIONS
Trade Mark
It denotes manufacture or quality of the goods to which it is attached It concerns the goods themselves

Property Mark
It denotes the ownership of them

It concerns the proprietor of the goods

Trademark Registration
We take great pride in introducing ourselves as a leading law firm in India, which has developed a high specialization in the field of trademark registration in India. We cover all the requirements and expectations of our global clients from our highly expertise trademark, patent and company lawyers and attorneys beginning from Trademark Search, Trademark Filing, Trademark oppositions, and Appeals, trademark registration, international trademark registration services and trademark enforcement services, which give complete customer satisfaction completely. We have a team of highly qualified and experienced professionals, who are expert in solving all types of issues related to trademark registration. Our policy is to enhance the customer satisfaction through providing high quality trademark registration services and query resolution system.

Trademark Search
A trademark search is an analytical and comprehensive way of researching a name, logo or slogan for prior use. It is highly advisable to conduct a trademark search before filing an application for a trademark. A basic trademark search includes applications for trademarks in India and registered trademarks. This search is only for required and relevant information, but every possible effort has been made to ensure accurate results. The main purpose of a trademark search is to determine if someone has already trademarked your intended mark.

India Trademark Registration

We offer trademark registration services at affordable price to our global clients in India & across the globe, which suits the client's requirements and expectations completely. We cover all the requirements and expectations of our global clients beginning from Trademark Search, Trademark Filing, Trademark oppositions, and Appeals, trademark registration, international trademark registration services and Trademark Enforcement services. We have a team of highly qualified and experienced trademark attorneys, who are expert in solving the client's queries and trademark issues.

Our India Trademark Registration Service includes: Preparation and filing of your Trademark application Maintaining your File and consultation with India Trademark Attorney, who is our Trademark Consultant during the time your mark is processed by the Registry. Notifying acceptance of the objections or application by the office. Counseling the publication of application in Trade Marks Journal and forwarding a copy of the relevant page publication to you. Advising time limits for responding to office actions. In the case of objections by the office, helping you to prepare the response. to the office objections through the services of our India Trademark Attorney. Payment of Attorney Fees. Payment of Office Fees for filing your application.

Indian Trademark Registration Office

The trademark registration office in India is an agency, which provides protection to the inventors and business for their inventions and trademark registration for the product and intellectual property identification. The trademarks are registered on either the principal register depending upon the characteristic criteria. Mainly, trademark office is used to promote industrial and technological progresses and also strengthen the national economy by administrating the laws relating to patents and trademarks.

FUNCTIONS OF TRADE MARK

TM may be used to indicate that the goods are of a particular maker The goods of that maker are of a particular kind or quality. Trader may indicate his best quality by one TM, and his second best quality by another TM and so on. E.g. MRF with the symbol of person holding tyre is good quality and MRF written plainly indicates the second quality. It serves the purpose of identifying the source of origin of goods.

FUNCTIONS OF TRADE MARK

As per modern business conditions a TM performs following functions: It identifies the product and origin. It guarantees its unchanged quality. It advertises the product. It creates an image for the product. e.g. Zip Drive associated with Santro Car; Taj Mahal for a particular quality of tea which will be different in quality from Brooke Bond; SONY is associated with electronic items etc. The functions of service marks in relation to services are similar to that of a TM in relation to goods. E.g. Courier services such as DHL, DTDC, GATI etc.

ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF TM
A Trade mark should have the following essential elements: 1. A Trademark should have Distinctive Character (Distinctiveness of the Trademark)  A trade mark would be considered a good trade mark when it is distinctive.

ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF TM
Features of Distinctiveness Distinctiveness may be class dependent. What is distinctive in relation to one class of goods may not be so in relation to another class of goods. The TM may be united wholly to one or more specified colours and this colour combination may become the distinctive character of the particular mark.

ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF TM
Distinctiveness may be inherent or acquired.  Inherent distinctiveness means that the mark or get up is distinct in itself from everything else and no one can justifiably claim the right to use it. E.g. RIN , ZEN .  Acquired distinctiveness means Distinctiveness through use. E.g. the trade marks Yashica, Hawkins, Surf and Lux have acquired distinctiveness through use as also they are distinctive due to the inherent quality of why being invented words.

ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF TM
2. Trademark should preferably be an invented word. The best trade marks are invented words. E.g. ZEN ( a car) , DIO (non-geared scooter). 3. Trademark, if it is a word, or name, then it should be easy to pronounce and remember. E.g. Lux for soap, Maruti Zen for car, Mercedes for cars, Levis for jeans, Reynolds for pens, Parker for pens etc. 4. In case of a device mark, the device should be capable of being described by a single work. E.g. Camel for Camel Ink, Kingfisher bird for Kingfisher Beer. 5. Trade mark should be easy to spell correctly and write legibly.

ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF TM
6. It should not be descriptive but may be suggestive of the quality of goods. For example, a mark A-I would generally suggest superior quality. Avon (A-1) cycles for instance. 7. It should be short. E.g. Flex , Bru , Rin . 8. It should appeal to the eye as well as ear. 9. It should satisfy the requirements of registration. 10. It should not belong to the class of marks prohibited for registration. E.g. Mark prohibited under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950

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