All trademark news that you might have missed last month in one convenient overview. Read up on the latest news reported by the Kluwer IP Reporter.

Australia completes pilot phase of TM Checker tool

On 30 April 2024, IP Australia’s TM Checker tool successfully finished its pilot phase and preceded to its next phase.

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Australia to implement revised law on trademarks, patents

Australia is all set to implement some revisions to its trademarks and patent laws with effect from 17 May 2024. The revisions have been made according to the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Regulator Performance) Regulations 2024 to implement the Regulator Performance Act in Australia

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Bhutan joins Madrid e-Filing community

On 2 May 2024, Bhutan launched the Madrid e-Filing system for its national applicants who want to protect their marks abroad under the Madrid Protocol Concerning the International Registration of Marks, thus becoming the 24th intellectual property office to offer this facility

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Bosnia and Herzegovina implements CP5 Common Practice

With effect from 15 May 2024, the Institute for Intellectual Property of Bosnia and Herzegovina (IIP) implemented the Common Practice of Relative Grounds of Refusal-Likelihood of Confusion (Impact of non-distinctive/weak components), generally referred to as CP5 Common Practice.

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EUIPO releases revised CP12 common practices

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) recently published the new version of “CP12: Evidence in trademark appeal proceedings” in all languages.

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EU implements revised GI regulations

The European Union’s (EU’s) updated regulation on geographical indications (GIs) for agricultural products, wines and spirit drinks came into effect on 13 May 2024.

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Ghana starts using HDB in TMclass

On 13 May 2024, the Registrar General’s Department of Ghana (GHIPO) joined TMclass and started using and accepting the list of terms from the Common Harmonised Database on Classification of Goods and Services (HDB) in TMclass.

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Libya modifies validity period of trademark documents

The Libyan Ministry of Economy & Trade implemented new Executive Regulations affecting trademark applications with effect from 1 May 2024.

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Madrid Protocol fees revised for Colombia

Pursuant to the provisions of the Common Regulations under the Madrid Agreement and Protocol Concerning the International Registration of Marks, the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization has revised the amounts of individual fees applicable when Colombia is designated in an international application or in an application for renewal of international registration or is a subject of subsequent designation.

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Madrid Protocol fees revised for Syria

Pursuant to the provisions of the Common Regulations under the Madrid Agreement and Protocol Concerning the International Registration of Marks, the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization on 15 May 2024 notified revised individual fees applicable when Syrian Arab Republic is designated in an international application or in an application for renewal of international registration or is a subject of subsequent designation.

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Namibia, USPTO ink MOU to boost IP rights

On 25 April 2024, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Namibia Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen the protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights

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New Zealand updates practice guidelines on GIs

The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) has updated its trademark practice guidelines in conformity with the European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Act 2024.

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Taiwan set to implement revised trademark law

With an aim to enhance the regulatory environment and as a response to industry needs, the recently amended Taiwanese Trademark Act come into effect on 1 May 2024.

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