New Trademarks Law in Pakistan.

On April 12, 2004 Trade Marks Rules, 2004 were notified and the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001 is now in force in Pakistan. The salient features of the new law include:

• Service marks filing is now possible (Pakistan is following the 7th Edition of NICE Classification (classes 1 to 42))
• Claiming priority under the Paris Convention within six months from the date of the first corresponding filing in a Paris Convention member country is possible.
• Provisions regarding protection of “well-known” marks, “collective marks”, “certification marks” and “domain names”.
• “domain names” may be registered as trademarks for goods and services in those cases where the “domain name” is used for offering goods and services via the internet and is not merely a directional reference.
• Provisions regarding “comparative advertising”
• Protection against “unfair competition”.
• Term of renewal has been reduced to 10 years.

To download a summary of the salient features of the new law,click here

Pakistan Accedes to the Paris Convention

Although there is no official confirmation or news from the Patent Office or the Ministry of Industries to the Patent Agents Association, however, we confirm that Pakistan acceded to the Paris Convention and officially became a member
of the Treaty as from July 22, 2004. Thus, Pakistan is now eligible to sign the Patent Cooperation Treat (PCT), however, as yet there is no news regarding Pakistan’s signing/ratification of PCT.
With regard to Pakistan’s obligations under Paris Convention to extend the “national treatment”, “right of priority” etc. to other member countries, we wish to advise that since Pakistan is a member of the WTO and signatory to the TRIPS Agreement, claiming priority from WTO member countries is already possible for patent filing in Pakistan.
We confirm that as soon as there are any developments with regard to the signing of PCT by Pakistan, we shall intimate you through our circular.

Should you have any questions or require detailed information on the above, please do not hesitate to write to us.