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Enacted & Promulgated on May
6, 1930 by the Government
Enforced on Jan. 1, 1931
Amended & Promulgated on Nov. 23, 1935 by the Government
Promulgated on Oct. 19, 1940 by the Government
Amended & Promulgated on Oct. 24, 1958 by the Presidential Order
Amended & Promulgated on July 4, 1972 by Presidential Order
Amended & Promulgated on Jan. 26, 1983 by Presidential Order
Amended & Promulgated on Nov. 29, 1985 by Presidential Order
Amended & Promulgated on May 26, 1989 by Presidential Order
Amended & Promulgated on Dec. 22, 1993 by Presidential Order
Amended & Promulgated on May 7, 1997 Article 4, 5, 23, 25, 34, 37,
61, 79 by Presidential Order and enforced on Nov 1, 1998
Amended & Promulgated on May 29, 2002 Article77, 79 by Presidential
Order
Amended & Promulgated on May 28, 2003 by Presidential Order, and enforced
on Nov 28, 2003
Chapter I
General Provisions
Article 1
This Act is formulated to safeguard trademark rights
and consumers' interest, maintain fair competitions of markets, and facilitate
normal development of industries and commerces.
Article 2
A person who wishes to obtain trademark rights in order to distinguish
its goods or services shall apply for trademark registration as provided
under this Act.
Article 3
An application of a foreigner, whose country has established no trademark
protection treaties or agreements with Taiwan on a mutual basis or has
rejected a trademark registration made by nationals of the Republic of
China in pursuance to its domestic legislations, may be rejected.
Article 4
An applicant of a trademark, which was filed in a country mutually recognizing
priority right with the Republic of China and was registered in pursuance
to the domestic legislation of that country, may claim priority right
within six months counting from the next day of the first filing date
of that trademark application filed in the Republic of China.
Priority claims made in accordance with the preceding paragraph shall
be made at the same time when filing for an application, in which the
foreign filing date and the country admitting that foreign application
shall be clearily indicated.
The applicant shall submit, within three months from the next day of its
filing date in the Republic of China, a certified copy of the application
admitted by the said foreign country.
Those who violate against any of the preceding two paragraphs shall lose
the priority right.
The priority date shall be referred as the filing date of those claiming
priority rights.
Article 5
A trademark may be composed of a word, figure, symbol, color, sound,
three-dimensional shape or a combination thereof.
A trademark as defined above shall be distinctive enough for relevant
consumers of the goods or services to recognize it as identification to
that goods or services and to differentiate such goods or services from
those offered by others.
Article 6
The term, use of trademark, as referred to in this Act connotes the utilization
for marketing purpose of trademark on goods, services or relevant articles
thereof, or the utilization through means of two-dimensional graphic,
audio and visual digitization, electronic media, or other mediums to sufficiently
make relevant consumers recognize it as a trademark.
Article 7
The term, competent authority, as referred to in this Act is the Ministry
of Economic Affairs (hereinafter as the MOEA).
Trademarks and related affairs shall be administrated under a registrar
office (hereinafter as the Registrar Office) appointed by the MOEA.
Article 8
Trademark registration and relevant affairs thereof may be performed
and managed by an appointed trademark agent. Those who have no domicile
or business office within the territory of Taiwan shall appoint a trademark
agent to perform and manage relevant trademark affairs.
A trademark agent shall have a domicile in Taiwan. Unless otherwise provided
by law, only certified trademark attorneys shall claim themselves as the
professionals. Qualifications and administration for certified trademark
attorney shall be prescribed by law.
Article 9
An application shall be rejected where, for trademark application and
other procedures, the applicant fails to comply within statutory period,
cannot correct those which are not in comformity to legal formality, or
fails to correct those which are not in comformity to legal formality
within the notified period of time.
An applicant may, in the case where the statutory period has been delayed
from natural disasters or causes not attributable to the applicant, submit
a written statement clarifying all reasons within thirty (30) days from
extinction of such cause to the Registrar Office for restoration to the
status quo ante. The aforementioned, however, does not apply to whom that
has delayed the statutory period for over a year.
Where request for restoration to the status quo ante is made, proceedings
that should have been done within the statutory period shall be carried
out concurrently.
Article 10
The filing date of a trademark application and other trademark proceedings
shall be based on the date when the written documents or articles arrive
at the Registrar Office. The filing date of those arriving via postal
service shall be based on the postmarked date of the place of origin.
Unless otherwise proved by the party concerned, the filing date of those
whose postmarked date appears to be ambiguous will be based on the date
of arrival at the Registrar Office.
Article 11
Regulatory fees shall be paid for trademark registration and other trademark
related inquiries.
The amount of regulatory fees shall be prescribed under regulations by
the Registrar Office .
Article 12
The Registrar Office shall publish and circulate an official gazette
containing registered trademarks and relevant information thereof .
Article 13
The Registrar Office shall establish and maintain a trademark registry
containing trademark registrations, changes to trademark rights, and all
matters as prescribed by legislations, and shall make the said registry
available to the public.
The trademark registry set forth in the preceding paragraph may be done
in electronic format.
Article 14
Application and other procedures of trademark may be done in electronic
format; regulations on the implementation date, application procedures,
and other required matters thereof shall be prescribed by the Registrar
Office.
Article 15
The Registrar Office shall appoint examiner(s) to examine trademark application,
opposition, invalidation, and revocation.
Qualifications for examiner referred to in the preceding paragraph shall
be prescribed by law.
Article 16
The Registrar Office shall render a written and stated decision on examination
set forth in paragraph 1 of the preceding article, and deliver the said
decision to the applicant.
The decision provided in the preceding paragraph shall be signed by the
examiner(s).
Chapter II
Trademark Application
Article 17
When filing for a trademark application, the applicant
shall submit an application stating the proposed trademark, and the designated
use on goods or services and the class(es) thereof to the Registrar Office.
The trademark referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be expressed
in a visually perceptible representation.
When applying for trademark registration, the application shall provide
and specify the applicant, the trademark representation, and the designated
use on goods or services and the class(es) thereof; the filing date shall
be the date on which the application is submitted.
An applicant may file for one trademark application designating for use
on two and more classes of goods or services.
Classifications on goods or services shall be prescribed in the Enforcement
Rules of this Act.
An assessment on similar goods or services shall not be constrained by
the classifications on goods or services set forth in the preceding paragraph.
Article 18
A compromise shall be reached between two or more applicants, whose trademark
applications submitted separately on the same day of which time precedence
cannot be determined may likely to cause confusion to relevant consumers
by providing the same or similar trademark representations and designating
their use on the same or similar goods or services. Lots shall be casted
where a compromise has failed to be reached.
Article 19
A proposed trademark featuring a descriptive or non-distinctive word,
sign, symbol, color, or three-dimensional shape, where deletion of that
feature will defect the whole of such trademark, may be registered when
the applicant disclaims the exclusive right for using the said feature.
Article 20
Any changes to a trademark application shall be submitted to and approved
by the Registrar Office.
No changes shall be made on the proposed trademark and the designated
use on goods or services thereof after an application has been filed.
However, the aforementioned does not apply to contraction on the scope
of goods or services designated for use.
A request for change set forth in paragraph 1 shall be filed separately
per application. However, an applicant owning two or more applications
where change on the same matter to be taken place may make such change
at once by filing for one single request.
Article 21
An applicant may request to the Registrar Office for dividing the designated
use on goods or services into two or more applications, in which the original
filing date shall remain as the filing date thereof.
Article 22
Rights derived from a trademark application may be assigned to another
person.
An assignee of rights set forth in the preceding paragraph, unless requested
and approved by the Registrar Office as the applicant, shall have no locus
standi against any third party.
Chapter III
Examination and Approval
Article 23
A trademark application shall be rejected if the proposed
trademark satisfies any of the following:
1. One that fails to comply with provisions of Article 5;
2. One that represents the shape, quality, function(s) or other descriptions
of the goods or services;
3. A generic sign or term used in relation to the designated goods or
services;
4. One that is a three-dimensional shape of the goods or packaging thereof
and is indispensable for performing the intended function(s);
5. One that is identical or similar to the national flag, national emblem,
national seal, military flags, military insignia, official seals, medals
of the Republic of China, or flags of foreign nations.
6. One that is identical to the portrait or name of the late Dr. Sun Yat-Sen
or of the head of the state;
7. One that is identical or similar to a mark used or medal or certificate
awarded by a government agency of the Republic of China or by an exhibition
assembly;
8. One that is identical or similar to the name, emblem, badge or mark
of a well-known international organization or a well-known domestic or
foreign institution;
9. One that is identical or similar to the CNS (Chinese National Standards)
Mark or any domestic or foreign mark of the same certified inspection
nature;
10. One that violates against public order or good morals;
11. One that is likely to mislead the public with respect to the nature,
quality, or place of origin of the designated goods or services;
12. One that is identical or similar to another person's well-known trademark
or mark and hence is likely to confuse the relevant public or likely to
dilute the distinctiveness or reputation of the said well-known trademark
or mark. However, the aforementioned shall not apply to an application
filed with consent from the owner of the said well-known trademark or
mark;
13. One that is identical or similar to a registered trademark or a proposed
trademark of a preceding application that is designated for use on identical
or similar goods or services thereof and hence likely to cause confusion
to relevant consumers. However, except in the case where such trademarks
and their dsignated use on goods or services of both parties are identical,
the aforementioned shall not apply to an application filed with concent
from the owner of the said registered trademark or a proposed trademark;
14. One that is identical or similar to a trademark that has been used
prior by another person on the identical or similar goods or services,
and the applicant thereof is aware of the existence of the said trademark
through contractual, geographical, or business connections, or any other
relationship with the said person. However, the aforementioned shall not
apply to an application filed with concent from the said person;
15. One that comprises a portrait, or a famous name, stage name, pseudonym
or alias of another person. However, the aforementioned shall not apply
to an application filed with concent from the said person;
16. One that comprises the name of a famous juristic person, entity or
other group, and hence likely to cause confusion with the relevant public;
17. One that infringes another person's copyrights, patent rights, or
other rights, where such infringement has been affirmed by a court. However,
the aforementioned shall not apply to an application filed with concent
from the said person; or
18. One that is identical or similar to a geographical indication of wines
and spirits of a country or region that mutually protects trademark with
the Republic of China, and is designated for use on wines and spirits.
The provisions of Item (12), Items (14) through (16) and Item (18) of
the preceding paragraphs shall only apply in occurrence at the time of
filing .
The provisions of Items (7) and (8) of paragraph 1 of this Article shall
not apply if the applicant is a government agency or related institutes.
The provisions of Item (2) of paragraph 1 of this Article or paragraph
2 of Article 5 shall not apply in the case where the proposed trademark
has been used by the applicant and has become a distinctive identification
of the goods or services provided by the applicant in the course of trade.
Article 24
A trademark application complying with conditions of unsuccessful registration
as set forth under paragraph 1 of the preceding article or paragraph 4
of Article 59 shall be rejected after examination.
Before rendering a rejection provided under the preceding paragraph, a
written notice stating reasons of rejection shall be sent to the applicant,
who shall state whose comment within thirth (30) days counting from the
next day of receiving the said notice.
Article 25
A trademark application complying with none of the conditions set forth
under paragraph 1 of the preceding article shall be approved after examination.
An approved trademark shall be registered and published and a trademark
certificate shall be issued on the condition that a registration fee has
been made by the applicant thereof within two months counting from the
next day of receiving the decision. Where the said fee remains unpaid
by the end of the stipulated period, a trademark shall not be registered
and published, and the original approval shall become invalid.
Article 26
The registration fee provided in paragraph 2 of the preceding article
may be paid in two installmlents. Those who wish to pay in installments
shall pay the second installment within the last three months before the
end of the third year counting from the publication date of trademark
registration.
Those who fail to pay the second installment on registration fee within
the time period stipulated in the preceding paragraph are provided with
an extra period of six months after the end of the third year in which
the said installment shall be made in double.
Trademark rights of those who fail to pay the second installment on registration
fee pursuing to provisions of the preceding paragraph shall be extinguished
on the day following the last day of the extra period for paying in double.
Chapter IV
Trademark Rights
Article 27
Since the publication date of a registered trademark,
trademark rights remaining for a term of ten years shall be bestowed upon
a right holder.
A request for renewal may be filed within the trademark term; a trademark
term of ten years shall be provided per successful renewal.
Article 28
A request for renewal on trademark term shall be filed between six months
before and after the term expiration; those file within six months after
the term expiration shall pay the registration fee in double.
The term of renewal approved under the preceding paragraph shall commence
from the date following the expiration of the last trademark term .
Article 29
A right holder of a registered trademark shall enjoy the exclusive trademark
rights with respect to the designated goods or services.
Unless otherwise provided in Article 30 of this Act, consent from the
registered trademark right holder shall be required in any of the following
conditions:
1. One who wishes to use a trademark that is identical to a registered
trademark on identical goods or services;
2. One who wishes to use a trademark that is identical to a registered
trademark on similar goods or services, and hence it is likely to cause
confusion to relevant consumers; or
3. One who wishes to use a trademark that is similar to a registered trademark
on the identical or similar goods or services, and hence it is likely
to cause confusion to relevant consumers.
Article 30
Any of the following conditions shall be free from the capacity of trademark
rights of a person:
1. One who, through means of bona fide and fair use, expresses the same
one's name, title, or the name, shape, quality, function, place of origin,
or other description with respect to the goods or services provided by
the same one for non-trademark purposes.
2. Where a three-dimensional shape of the goods or the packaging thereof
is indispensable for performing its intended function(s).
3. Where, prior to the filing date of a registered trademark, a person
has been using bona fide an identical or similar trademark designating
on the identical or similar goods or services. However, the aforementioned
only is applicable to those goods or services on which such trademark
has already been in use; the trademark right holder of the said registered
trademark may request the said person to attach appropriate and distinguishing
label(s).
Where goods bearing a registered trademark are traded or circulated in
the marketplace by the trademark right holder or by an authorized person,
or are offered for auction or disposal by a relevant agency, the right
holder shall not claim trademark rights on the said goods. However, the
aforementioned shall not apply in case of preventing deterioration or
damage of goods or any other fair reasons.
Article 31
A trademark right holder may request the Registrar Office to divide trademark
rights used on the goods or services designated by a registered trademark.
A trademark right division stipulated in the preceding paragraph may also
be requested before the final decision of an opposition or invalidation
to a trademark.
Article 32
Any changes to a registered trademark shall be entered and recorded by
the Registrar Office. An unrecorded entry shall have no locus standi against
any third party.
No changes shall be made to a registered trademark and the designated
use thereof on goods and services once the said trademark has been registered.
However, the aforementioned does not apply to contraction on the scope
of goods or services designated for use.
The provisions of paragraph 3 of Article 20 and paragraph 2 of the preceding
article shall apply mutatis mutandis to any changes to a registered trademark.
Article 33
A trademark right holder may license a person to use its registered trademark
on part or whole of the designated goods or services thereof.
Licensing provided in the preceding paragraph shall be entered and recorded
by the Registrar Office. An unrecorded entry shall have no locus standi
against any third party. The said provisions shall also apply in the case
where a trademark is sub-licensed by its licensee with prior consent of
the trademark right holder to a third party.
In the case where trademark rights have been assigned after licensing
of a trademark was recorded, the assignee shall still be binded by the
licensing agreement.
A licensee shall label a licensed trademark in a obvious and distinguishing
way on whose goods, the packagings or containers thereof or trade-related
articles or documents; in the case where labeling the aforementioned becomes
evidently difficult, the licensing label may be shown at the place of
business or on other relevant articles.
Article 34
Where a licensee violating against the provisions of paragraph 4 of preceding
article, the Registrar Office shall, ex officio or upon request, notify
the said licensee to correct within a prescribed period; licensing record
shall be revoked for those who fail to correct within the said period.
Before the expiration of a licensing term, a concerned or an interested
party may, by submitting relevant evidence(s), apply for revoking a licensing
record under any of the following conditions:
1. Where the trademark right holder and the licensee have both agreed
to terminate the licensing; the same provision shall also apply in the
case of sub-licensing;
2. Where the licensing agreement expressly prescribes that either the
trademark right holder or the licensee may terminate a licensing relationship
at any time, and the declaration of termination has been made; or
3. Where a trademark right holder notifies the licensee to rescind or
terminate the licensing agreement on account of breach by the said licensee,
who has shown no objection thereto.
Article 35
An assignment of trademark right(s) shall be entered and recorded by
the Registrar Office. An unrecorded entry shall have no locus standi against
any third party.
Article 36
In the case an assignment of trademark right(s) has resulted in a situation
where two or more trademark right holders have used the same trademark
on similar goods or services, or have used similar trademarks on identical
or similar goods or services and hence likely causing confusion to relevant
consumers, all trademark right holders thereof shall affix appropriate
and distinguishing label(s) while using their respective trademarks.
Article 37
A creation, change, or extinguishment of a pledge made by a trademark
right holder shall be entered recorded by the Registrar Office. An unrecorded
entry shall have no locus standi against any third party.
Where multiple pledges on trademark rights are created by a trademark
right holder to secure the rights of its creditors, the sequence of pledge
shall be determined by the precedence thereof.
During the term of a pledge, the pledgee shall not use the pledged trademark
unless otherwise licensed by the trademark right holder thereof.
Article 38
A trademark right holder may abandon its trademark right(s). However,
one who has recorded a licensing or pledge and wishes to do so shall have
consent from the licensee(s) or pledgee(s).
The abandonment in the preceding paragraph shall be made in writing to
the Registrar Office.
Article 39
The trademark right(s) shall ipso facto extinguish under any of the following
conditions:
1. Where renewal was absent from pursuing to the provisions of Article
28 of this Act; or
2. Where the trademark right holder has died without an heir.
Chapter V
Opposition
Article 40
In the case where the registration of a trademark violates
the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 23 or paragraph 4 of Article
59, anyone may file an opposition with the Registrar Office within three
months from the publishing date of the said trademark.
The opposition set forth in the preceding paragraph may be made to part
of the goods or services designated for use by a registered trademark
.
Opposition shall be filed separately against each registered trademark.
Article 41
Any person who requests for an opposition shall submit an opposition
application stating the fact(s) and ground(s) along with a duplicate copy
thereof. Any attachments to the said opposition application shall also
be enclosed with the said duplicate copy.
The Registrar Office shall issue a notice informing whom to make a correction
within a prescribed time period to a procedurally restorable opposition.
The Registrar Office shall forward the duplicate copy stipulated in paragraph
1 along with any attachments thereof to the trademark right holder, who
shall defend with in a prescribed time period.
Article 42
An opposition shall be examined by examiner(s) who have never taken part
in the original trademark examination.
Article 43
An opposing party or a trademark right holder may present a market survey
report as evidence.
The Registrar Office shall offer an opposing party or a trademark right
holder with an opportunity to comment on a market survey report.
The Registrar Office shall make a decision consolidating all comments
stated by the parties concerned along with conclusion of a market survey
report.
Article 44
An assignment of a trademark of which an opposition has been requested
underway shall have no effect on the proceedings of the said opposition.
An assignee of trademark rights set forth in the preceding paragraph may
declare to be the opposed party to continue opposition proceedings.
Article 45
An opposing party may withdraw whose opposition before the delivery of
the opposition decision thereof.
An opposing party who has withdrawn an opposition shall not request once
more an opposition or invalidation against the same trademark based on
the same fact(s), the same evidence(s), and the same ground(s).
Article 46
A trademark registration shall be cancelled once an oppostion thereof
has been affirmed after examination.
Article 47
A cancellation may be made on only part of the designated goods or services
where reason(s) for cancellation provided in the preceding article exists.
Article 48
No one shall request for an invalidation based on the same fact(s), the
same evidence(s), and the same ground(s) against a registered trademark
of which an opposition decision was affirmed.
Article 49
Where a civil or criminal litigation in connection with trademark rights
was initiated during the proceeding of an opposition against the same
trademark, the said litigation may be suspended until the decision of
the opposition has been rendered.
Chapter VI
Invalidation and Revocation
Section 1 Invalidation
Article 50
Where the registration of a trademark violates provisions
of paragraph 1 of Article 23 or paragraph 4 of Article 59, a concerned
party or a trademark examiner may request or inquire the Registrar Office
to invalidate the said registration.
The provisions of the preceding paragraph shall mutatis mutandis apply
in the case where a trademark has infringed copyrights, patent rights
or other rights of another person before registration thereof, and the
said infringement has been affirmed upon judgement rendered by a court.
Article 51
No one shall request or inquire invalidation against a trademark of which
the registration violates conditions prescribed under provisions of Items
(1) and (2) and Items (12) through (17), paragraph 1 of Article 23, or
paragraph 4 of Article 59 and where five years has passed since the publishing
date thereof.
No one shall request or inquire invalidation where five years has passed
since the date on which a judgement as prescribed in paragraph 2 of the
preceding article became affirmed.
The prescribed period set forth in paragraph 1 shall not apply to a trademark
of which the registration complies mala fide with the provisions of Item
(12), paragraph 1 of Article 23.
Article 52
Whether a trademark to be invalidated violates the law shall be determined
by the provisions of the law in effect at the time of publication for
trademark registration.
Article 53
A trademark invalidation shall be examinined by three or more invalidation
committee examiners appointed by the head of the Registrar Office.
Article 54
Registration of a trademark of which invalidation was affirmed shall
be invalidated. However, in the case where the cause on which the invalidation
was based no longer exists at the time of examination for the said invalidation,
a decision to dismiss the said invalidation may be rendered upon considering
the interests of the public and the concerned parties.
Article 55
No one shall request for an invalidation based on the same fact(s), the
same evidence(s), and the same ground(s) against a trademark of which
an invalidation decision was affirmed.
Article 56
The provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 40, paragraphs 1 and
2 of Article 41, Articles 42 through 45, Article 47 and Article 49 shall
apply mutatis mutandis to invalidation against trademark.
Section II Revocation
Article 57
In the case where any of the following conditions occurs after the registration
of a trademark, the Registrar Office shall, ex officio or upon an application,
revoke the said registration:
1. Where a trademark was self-altered or supplemented with additional
notes whereby the trademark has caused likelihood of confusion to relevant
consumers by being identical or similar to a registered trademark of another
person of which is used on the same or similar goods or services;
2. Where, without valid reasons, a trademark has not yet been put into
use or has been suspended from use continuously for three years after
registration. However, the aforementioned shall not apply to one that
is in use by a licensee;
3. Where no appropriate and distinguishing label(s) is affixed pursuant
to Article 36. However, the aforementioned shall not apply to to those
causing no likelihood of confusion by affixing distinguishing label(s)
before disposition by the Registrat Office;
4. Where a trademark has become a common sign, name or shape of the goods
or services as designated for the said trademark;
5. Where practicing a trademark causes likelihood to mislead the public
with respect to the nature, quality or place of origin of the goods or
services designated by the trademark; or
6. Where the use of the trademark has been affirmed by judgment of a court
to infringe the copyrights, patent rights or other rights of another person.
The aforementioned shall also apply in the case where a trademark right
holder is or may be aware of but has shown no objection to the conduct
as prescribed in Item (1) of preceding paragraph by a licensee thereof.
A trademark, which is subject to Item (2) of the preceding paragraph,
that has been restored for use at the time of requesting for revocation
by another person shall not be revoked, unless the said use had occurred
within three months before the said revocation request owing to understanding
thereof.
A revocation may be made on only part of the designated goods or services
of a registered trademark where reason(s) for revocation exists.
Article 58
A trademark right holder shall be deemed to have used whose registered
trademark under any of the following conditions:
1. Where the trademark in actual use differs from the registered one yet
commonly recognized in society to have preserved the sameness; or
2. Where, for export purposes, a registered trademark has been labeled
on goods or on other relevant articles thereto.
Article 59
The Registrar Office shall notify the trademark right holder the reason(s)
of revocation, and shall also set a period for defencing. A revocation
may be dismissed at once if no solid fact or evidence is available or
the claims have failed to demonstrate obvious ground.
Upon receiving of notice of defence for condition set forth under Item
(2), paragraph 1 of Article 57, a trademark right holder shall prove with
fact(s) of use thereof; registration for those who have failed to defend
within the prescribed time may be revoked at once.
Fact proving the use of a trademark presented by the trademark right holder
set forth under the preceding paragraph shall comply with the general
practice of trade.
A trademark right holder, whose registration was revoked owing to compliance
to Items (1) and (6), paragraph 1 of Article 57, shall not register, be
assigned or licensed within three years counting from the date of revocation
to use a trademark that is identical or similar to the said revoked trademark
on the same or similar goods or services; the aforementioned shall also
apply to whom disclaiming whose trademark rights before disposition issued
by the Reigstrar Office.
Article 60
The provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 of Articles 40, paragraphs 1 and
2 of Article 41, Article 42 through Article 44 shall apply mutatis mutandis
to the examination of revocation.
Chapter VII
Remedies for Right Infringement
Article 61
A trademark right holder may claim for damages from a
person infringing whose trademark rights, and may request for excluding
infringement thereto; in case of likelihood of infringement, the said
right holder may also request for the prevention thereof.
Using trademark under conditions stipulated by Paragraph 2 of Article 29
without consent from a trademark right holder shall constitute infringement
of the trademark rights.
A trademark right holder, when requesting in pursuance with provisions
of the preceding paragraph 1, may request for destruction or other necessary
disposal of the goods infringing trademark rights, or raw materials or
equipments utilized for infringement.
Article 62
A trademark right infringement shall be deemed to have occurred where consent of trademark right holder is absent from any of the following conditions:
1.Knowingly using a trademark identical or similar to a well-known registered trademark of another person, or using the word(s) contained in the said well-known trademark as the company name, trade name or domain name or any other representation identifying the body or source of whose business, and hence diluting the distinctiveness or reputation of the said well-known trademark; or
2.Knowingly using the word(s) contained in a registered trademark of another person as the company name, trade name or domain name or any other representation identifying the body or source of whose business, and hence causing confusion to relevant consumers of goods or services thereof.
Article 63
When claiming for damages, a trademark right holder may choose one of
the following methods to estimate the amount thereof:
1. Damages may be claimed in pursuance with Article 216 of the Civil Code.
However, in the event where evidence cannot be presented to prove the
damages thereof, the trademark right holder may use the profit normally
gained from using whose registered trademark to subtract the profit gained
from the same trademark after infringement, and claim the difference as
the amount of damage;
2. Damages may be claimed in accordance with the profit gained from trademark
rights infringement. However, where no evidence on costs or necessary
expenses can be proved by the infringer, the total amount of sales from
selling the infringing goods shall be regarded as the amount of profit;
or
3. Damages may be claimed in an amount equivalent to 500 to 1,500 times
of the unit retail price of the infringing goods. However, in the case
where over 1,500 pieces of infringing goods are found, the amount of damage
to be claimed shall be assessed based on the total sale price of the said
infringing goods.
A court may, at its discretion, reduce the amount of compensation in the
case where the amount of compensation for damages assessed under the preceding
paragraph is apparently unreasonable.
A trademark right holder may claim for additional compensation in a reasonable
amount in the case where whose business reputation has sufferred any damage
on account of such infringement.
Article 64
A trademark right holder may request for publication on a newspaper,
at the expense of the infringer, of the contents, in full or in part,
of the judicial decision in relation to a trademark infringement.
Article 65
A trademark right holder may request the Customs Authority to suspend
the release of imported or exported goods that are suspected of infringing
the trademark rights of the said right holder.
The request set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be presented in
writing, explicating the facts of the infringement, and along with a bond
in an amount equivalent to the duty-paid price of the imported goods or
the F.O.B. price of the exported goods, assessed by the Customs Authority,
or with an equivalent security.
Once the Customs Authority accepts a request for suspension of release,
it shall immediately notify the applicant thereof; where suspension of
release is carried out owing to compliance to the preceding paragraph,
the said applicant and the party whose goods are detained shall be notified
in writing.
The party whose goods are detained may request the customs authorities
to revoke the suspension of release by providing a bond in an amount equivalent
to two times the bond set forth in the preceding paragraph 2 or an equivalent
security while following the procedures in accordance with applicable
customs regulations on import and export goods clearance.
Without prejudice to the protection of the confidentiality of the detained
goods, the Customs Authority may allow the inspection of the detained
goods requested by the applicant thereof or the party whose goods are
detained.
Where the applicant thereof is awarded an affirmed court ruling stating
that the detained goods has infringed trademark rights, the party of the
detained goods shall be liable for all relevant expenses incurred as a
result of the delay of containers, warehousing, loading, and unloading
of the detained goods, except for the conditions set forth in paragraph
4 of Article 66.
Article 66
The Customs Authority shall revoke the suspension of release under any
of the following conditions:
1. Where the applicant thereof fails to initiate litigation claiming
that the detained goods are infringements in pursuance with Article 61
while notifying the Customs Authority within twelve (12) days counting
from the date on which the Customs Authority has notified its acceptance
of suspension requested by the said applicant thereof.
2. Where a court ruling dismissing litigation initiated by the applicant
thereof alleging that the detained goods are infringements becomes affirmative.
3. Where a court ruling sustaining that the detained goods infringe no
trademark rights becomes affirmative.
4. Where the applicant thereof requests for revocation of the suspension
of release.
5. One that complies with the condition set forth in paragraph 4 of Article
65.
The Customs Authority may extend the period set forth in Item (1) of
the preceding paragraph by an additional twelve (12) days whenever necessary.
Where revocation carried out in pursuance with paragraph 1, the Customs
Authority shall follow the procedures in accordance with applicable customs
regulations on import and export goods clearance.
Where suspension of release is revoked in pursuance with Items (1) to
(4) of paragraph 1, the applicant thereof shall be liable for all relevant
expenses incurred as a result of the delay of containers, warehousing,
loading, and unloading of the detained goods.
Article 67
When the detained goods are affirmed to be non-infringing by a court
ruling, the applicant for suspension of release shall compensate the party
whose goods were detained for any losses resulting from the suspension
of release or from the provision of the bond set forth in paragraph 4
of Article 65.
The applicant of the bond set forth in paragraph 4 of Article 65, or
the party, whose goods were detained, of the bond stipulated in paragraph
2 of Article 65 shall enjoy the same right as a pledgee. However, all
relevant expenses incurred due to the delay of containers, warehousing,
loading, and unloading of the detained goods as set forth in paragraph
4 of Article 66 and paragraph 6 of Article 65 shall be paid in priority
from compensation over all losses incurred to the said applicant or the
said party.
Under any of the following circumstances, the Customs Authority shall
return the bond set forth in paragraph 2 of Article 65 upon request by
the applicant thereof:
1. Where the bond is no longer required owing to the applicant thereof
has either obtained a favorable affirmed judgment or reached a settlement
with the party whose goods were detained;
2. Where the applicant thereof proves that the party of the detained goods
was notified but has failed to exercise its rights within twenty (20)
or more days after the suspension of release is revoked on account of
any circumstances set forth in Items (1) through (4) of paragraph 1 of
Article 66 in which the party of the detained goods has suffered from
losses owing to the suspension of release, or after the party of the detained
goods has been awarded a favorable affirmed judgment; or
3. Where the party whose goods were detained agrees to the return of the
bond.
Under any of the following circumstances, the Customs Authority shall
return the bond set forth in paragraph 4 of Article 65, upon request by
the party whose goods were detained:
1. Where the bond is no longer required owing to either the suspension
of the release order has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of Items
(1) through (4) of paragraph 1 of Article 66, or the party whose goods
were detained has reached a settlement with the applicant thereof;
2. Where the party whose goods were detained proves that the applicant
thereof was notified but has failed to exercise its rights within twenty
(20) or more days after the said applicant thereof has been awarded a
favorable affirmed judgment; or
3. Where the applicant thereof agrees to the return of the bond.
Article 68
The regulations governing the application for detaining goods, revocation
of a detaining, inspection of detained goods, payment, provision and return
procedures for a bond or security, required documents and other matters
to be abided by which set forth in the preceding three articles shall
be prescribed by the competent authority and the Ministry of Finance.
Article 69
The provisions of this Chapter shall apply mutatis mutandis to infringement
on the right to use a trademark granted through licensing as provided
under Article 33.
Article 70
A foreign juristic person or entity, which is not limited to those recognized
by the Government of the Republic of China, may also file a complaint,
initiate a private prosecution, or institute a civil suit with respect
to the matters prescribed in this Act.
Article 71
A court may establish a special tribunal or designate a specialist(s)
to handle trademark litigation.
Chapter VIII
Certification Marks, Collective Membership Marks and Collective
Trademarks
Article 72
Any person who wishes to exclusively use a mark to certify
the characteristics, quality, precision, place of origin or other matters
of another person's goods or services shall apply for certification mark
registration.
Only a juristic person, an organization or a government agency which
is capable of certifying another person's goods or services shall be eligible
to apply for certification mark registration.
An applicant of the preceding paragraph who engages in business in connection
with the goods or services to be certified shall not apply for certification
mark registration thereof.
Article 73
The use of a certification mark shall connote that the right holder
of a certification mark, in order to certify the characteristics, quality,
precision, origin or other matters of another person's goods or services,
agrees the said person to indicate the said certification mark on articles
or documents in connection with the said goods or services.
Article 74
Any business association, social organization, or any other group that
exists as a juristic person and wishes to exclusively use a mark to identify
its organization or membership shall apply for collective membership mark
registration.
An application for collective membership mark registration of the preceding
paragraph shall be filed with the Registrar Office by submitting in writing
specifying relevant matters along with a set of articles governing the
use of the collective membership mark thereto.
Article 75
The use of a collective membership mark shall connote the indication
of such mark on relevant articles or documents by the organization or
its members in order to identify an organization or membership thereof.
Article 76
Any business association, social organization, or any other group that
exists as a juristic person and wishes to exclusively use a mark to identify
the goods or services provided by its members, and therefore distinguishing
these goods or services from those provided by others, may apply for collective
trademark registration.
An application for collective trademark registration of the preceding
paragraph shall be filed with the Registrar Office by submitting in writing
specifying the designated class(es) and the name(s) of goods or services
along with the a set of articles governing the use of the collective trademark
thereto.
Article 77
The use of a collective trademark shall connote that, in order to identify
the goods or services provided by members of an organization, the said
members use the collective trademark on their goods or services whereby
these goods or services may be distinguished from those provided by others.
Article 78
The right of a certification mark, a collective membership mark or a
collective trademark shall not be assigned or licensed to another person
for use, nor may it be the subject of a pledge. However, the aforementioned
shall not apply in the case where such assignment or license to another
person for use is unlikely to damage the interests of consumers, to contravene
fair competition, and has been approved by the Registrar Office.
Article 79
The Registrar Office shall, upon request by any person or ex officio,
revoke the registration of a certification mark, a collective membership
mark or a collective trademark in the case where misuse of which by the
right holder or the licensed user thereof has caused damages to another
person or the public.
The term, misuse, referred to in the preceding paragraph shall connote
any of the following conditions:
1. Where a certification mark is used as a trademark or indicated on articles
or documents in connection with the goods or services provided by the
right holder of the said certification mark;
2. Where the use of a collective membership mark or collective trademark
has misled the general public regarding the nature of the organization
thereof;
3. Where assignment, licensing, or creation of pledge is established in
violation of the provisions of the preceding article;
4. One that has violated the set of articles governing the use thereof;
or
5. One that is misused in other means.
Article 80
Unless otherwise provided in this Chapter, the provisions of this Act
regarding trademarks shall apply mutatis mutandis to certification marks,
collective membership marks or collective trademarks.
Chapter IX
PENALTY
Article 81
Any person who commits any of the following
acts without prior consent of the trademark or the collective trademark
right holder thereof shall be charged with imprisonment for no more than
three years, detention and, in addition thereto or in lieu thereof, a
fine of no more than NT$200,000:
1. One who uses a mark identical to a registered trademark or collective
trademark on the same goods or services;
2. One who uses a mark identical to a registered trademark or collective
trademark on similar goods or services, and hence has caused likelihood
of confusion or misleading to relevant consumers;
3. One who uses a trademark that is similar to a registered trademark
or collective trademark on the identical or similar goods or services,
and hence has caused likelihood of confusion to relevant consumers.
Article 82
Any person, who knowingly sells, displays for sale, exports or imports
the goods referred to in the preceding article, shall be charged with
imprisonment of no more than one year, detention, and, in addition thereto
or in lieu thereof, a fine of no more than NT$50,000.
Article 83
The goods manufactured, sold, displayed, exported or imported by, or
the articles or documents in connection with provision of services by,
a person committing any of the offenses as specified in the preceding
two articles, shall be confiscated, regardless of whether such goods,
articles or documents belong to the offender.
Chapter X
Supplementary Provisions
Article 84
The provisions of Article 26 shall not apply to a trademark
or any other mark already registered prior to the enforcement of the amendment
to this Act as of April 29, 2003.
Article 85
A service mark already registered prior to the enforcement of the amendment
to this Act as of April 29, 2003 shall be deemed as a trademark as of
the said date.
A service mark application yet to be registered prior to the enforcement
of the amendment to this Act as of April 29, 2003 shall be deemed as a
trademark application as of the said date.
Article 86
An associated trademark, associated service mark, associated collective
mark or associated certification mark that was already registered prior
to the enforcement of the amendment to this Act as of April 29, 2003 shall
be deemed as an independent registered trademark or mark as of the said
date; its registration term shall be the same as which originally granted.
An associated trademark application, associated service mark application,
associated collective mark application or associated certification mark
application that is yet to be registered prior to the enforcement of this
Act shall be deemed as an independent trademark application or other mark
application as of April 29, 2003 on which the amendment to this Act takes
effect.
An applicant under the preceding paragraph may withdraw its application
and request for a refund before receving the notice of approval regarding
the said application.
Article 87
A defensive trademark, defensive service mark, defensive collective
mark or defensive certification mark already registered before the enforcement
of the amendment to this Act as of April 29, 2003 shall be subject to
the provisions in force at the time of its registration, and shall be
changed to an independent registered trademark or mark before the expiration
of the term of exclusive use; the trademark right of those fail to make
the said change shall be extinguished.
A defensive trademark application, defensive service mark application,
defensive collective mark application or defensive certification mark
application yet to be registered before the enforcement of this Act shall
be deemed as an independent trademark or mark application as of April
29, 2003 on which the amendment to this Act takes effect.
An applicant under the preceding paragraph may withdraw its application
and request for a refund before receving the notice of approval regarding
the said application.
Article 88
With respect to a registered trademark or mark which is deemed as an
independent mark in pursuance with paragraph 1 of Article 86, the three-year
period set forth in Item (2), paragraph 1 of Article 57 shall commence
from April 29, 2003 on which the amendment to this Act takes effect.
With respect to a registered trademark or mark which has been changed
to an independent mark as provided under paragraph 1 of the preceding
article, the three-year period set forth in Item (2), paragraph 1 of Article
57 shall commence from the date on which the said change takes place.
Article 89
Where an application for trademark registration was approved prior to
the enforcement and the said approval has not been invalidated upon the
enforcement of the amendment to this Act, the said trademark shall be
registered in pursuance with the provisions of this Act; the first installment
of the payable registration fee shall be deemed to have been paid.
Where approval of a trademark application that was cancelled prior to
the enforcement of the amendment to this Act on April 29, 2003 has been
restored as the result of administrative remedial proceedings provided
under the amendment to this Act, the said trademark shall be registered
in pursuance with the provisions of the same amendment; the first installment
of the payable registration fee shall be deemed to have been paid.
Article 90
Registration of a trademark against which an opposition was filed and
pending prior to the enforcement of the amendment to this Act shall be
cancelled only in the case where the said trademark complies with conditions
of violation set forth under provisions both before and after the enforcement
of the amendment to this Act as of April 29, 2003; the proceedings thereof
shall follow the provisions after the said enforcement.
Article 91
Registration of a trademark against which an invalidation was filed and
pending prior to the enforcement of the amendment to this Act shall be
cancelled only in the case where the said trademark complies with conditions
of violation set forth under provisions both before and after the enforcement
of the amendment to this Act as of April 29, 2003; the proceedings thereof
shall follow the provisions after the said enforcement.
Invalidation against a trademark, certification mark, or collective mark
registered prior to the enforcement of the amendment to this Act as of
April 29, 2003, shall only be requested or inquired in the case where
the said trademark or mark complies with conditions of violation set forth
under provisions both at the time of registration and after the enforcement
of the amendment to this Act.
Article 92
Provisions governing trademark revocation shall be applicable to trademark
cancellation cases of which the decisions have not been rendered prior
to the enforcement of the amendment to this Act.
Article 93
The Enforcement Rules of this Act shall be prescribed by the competent
authority.
Article 94
This Act shall come into force six (6) months after the date of promulgation
thereof.
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