SINGAPORE AMENDS TRADEMARK LAW

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000667

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO USPTO FOR ACOTTON
USTR FOR AUSTR VESPINEL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIPR ETRD ECON EINV SN
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE AMENDS TRADEMARK LAW

REF: 06 SINGAPORE 1297


1. Singapore recently passed the Trademarks (Amendment) Act
2007 in order to fully comply with its obligations under the
2006 Singapore Treaty on the Law of Trademarks (STLT). (The
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) introduced
the Treaty at its March 2006 conference in Singapore.) The
amended act is expected to take effect this month.


2. Key amendments to the Trademarks Act include:

-- Provision for multiple class registration;

Trademark registration was previously based on single
classes, e.g., computer hardware. The amendment allows
registration of multiple classes, e.g., computer hardware and
computer services, in a single application. Similarly,
applicants now only need to renew the multiple-class
registration once for it to be effective across all the
registered classes.

-- Division of an application for registration;

Applicants may now divide multiple-class trademark
applications. This expedites registration in cases where one
or more, but not all, classes are determined to be
objectionable.

-- Relief measures for procedural oversight;

The amended Act provides relief measures for procedural
mistakes in trademark applications, notably in relation to
missed time limits.

-- Registration of licenses for pending trademark
applications;

Licenses related to pending trademarks can now be registered.
Previously, only registered trademarks licenses could be
recorded.


3. Once in effect, a copy of the amended Act may be found
at: http://statutes.agc.gov.sg
FERGIN