Publication of Trade Mark Details
As part of the trade mark registrationand ownership process some details about the owner of the business applying to own a trade mark will be made publicly available. It is important to consider any strategic implications as a result of this disclosure, for example:
- future goods or services you are planning to launch as stated in the Statement of Goods/Services;
- new branding before that branding is launched; and
- shape trade marks showing elements of future designs.
It is possible to request that the Registrar keep certain information confidential. Specifically, the following information that might be as part of:
- evidence of use, or intention to use, a trade mark;
- declarations regarding the reasons for expedited examination or various other reasons for requests for time extensions; or
- documents filed in relation to opposition matters (but not the notice of opposition itself).
Other information is made available to the public, and the Registrar will not allow for that information to be kept confidential. Such information includes the following:
- responses to examination reports;
- contact details (name and addresses) of trade mark applicants and owners;
- names and businesses of declarants, including their position, length of tenure in the company or organisation, business address and their signatures;
- information regarding witnesses to a declaration;
- publicly known marketing collateral and activities; and
- length of time of use of the trade mark to represent the corresponding goods and/or services.
