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Trade Marks Act 1994

1994 c. 26 · Enacted 21 July 1994 · Extends to United Kingdom

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 10 July 2025.

An Act to make new provision for registered trade marks, implementing Council Directive No. 89/104/EEC of 21st December 1988 to approximate the laws of the Member States relating to trade marks; to make provision in connection with Council Regulation (EC) No. 40/94 of 20th December 1993 on the Community trade mark; to give effect to the Madrid Protocol Relating to the International Registration of Marks of 27th June 1989, and to certain provisions of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property of 20th March 1883, as revised and amended; and for connected purposes.[21st July 1994]

C1I1E1Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C2C3

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act modified (Isle of Man) (1.4.1996) by S.I. 1996/729, art. 2, Sch. (as amended: (24.12.2002) by S.I. 2002/3148, art. 2; and (1.7.2004) by S.I. 2004/1497, art. 2, Sch.)

Act applied (14.8.1996) by S.I. 1996/1908, reg. 10(2)(3)

C2

Act applied in part (with modifications) (1.10.2008) by Trade Marks (International Registration) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2206), art. 3(3), Sch. 1 Pt. 1, Sch. 2 (as amended: (31.3.2013) by S.I. 2013/445, arts. 1, 3(2) (with art. 6); and (14.1.2019) by S.I. 2018/825, regs. 1(1), 52 (with Pt. 5))

C3

Act modified (Isle of Man) (11.11.2013) by The Trade Marks (Isle of Man) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/2601), art. 2, Sch. (as amended: (14.1.2019) by S.I. 2018/1157, art. 1, Sch.; (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2019/1335, art. 3, Sch. 2; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1); and (10.7.2025) by S.I. 2025/679, art. 1, Sch.)

Commencement

I1

Act not in force at Royal Assent see s. 109(1); Act partly in force for limited purposes temporarily 29.9.1994 by S.I. 1994/2550, art. 3, Sch.; Act wholly in force 31.10.1994 by S.I. 1994/2550, art. 2

Extent

E1

Act extends to the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man, see s. 108(2).

Contents

  1. Part I: Registered trade marks
  2. Introductory
  3. 1Trade marks.
  4. 2Registered trade marks.
  5. Grounds for refusal of registration
  6. 3Absolute grounds for refusal of registration.
  7. 4Specially protected emblems.
  8. 5Relative grounds for refusal of registration.
  9. 5AGrounds for refusal relating to only some of the goods or services
  10. 6Meaning of “earlier trade mark”.
  11. 6ARaising of relative grounds in opposition proceedings in case of non-use
  12. 7Raising of relative grounds in case of honest concurrent use.
  13. 8Power to require that relative grounds be raised in opposition proceedings.
  14. Effects of registered trade mark
  15. 9Rights conferred by registered trade mark.
  16. 10Infringement of registered trade mark.
  17. 10ARight to prevent goods entering the UK without being released for free circulation
  18. 10BProhibition on the use of a trade mark registered in the name of an agent or representative
  19. 11Limits on effect of registered trade mark.
  20. 11ANon-use as defence in infringement proceedings
  21. 12Exhaustion of rights conferred by registered trade mark.
  22. 13Registration subject to disclaimer or limitation.
  23. Infringement proceedings
  24. 14Action for infringement.
  25. 15Order for erasure, &c. of offending sign.
  26. 16Order for delivery up of infringing goods, material or articles.
  27. 17Meaning of “infringing goods, material or articles”.
  28. 18Period after which remedy of delivery up not available.
  29. 19Order as to disposal of infringing goods, material or articles.
  30. 20Jurisdiction of sheriff court or county court in Northern Ireland.
  31. Unjustified threats
  32. 21Threats of infringement proceedings
  33. 21AActionable threats
  34. 21BPermitted communications
  35. 21CRemedies and defences
  36. 21DProfessional advisers
  37. 21ESupplementary: pending registration
  38. 21FSupplementary: proceedings for delivery up etc.
  39. Registered trade mark as object of property
  40. 22Nature of registered trade mark.
  41. 23Co-ownership of registered trade mark.
  42. 24Assignment, &c. of registered trade mark.
  43. 25Registration of transactions affecting registered trade mark.
  44. 26Trusts and equities.
  45. 27Application for registration of trade mark as an object of property.
  46. Licensing
  47. 28Licensing of registered trade mark.
  48. 29Exclusive licences.
  49. 30General provisions as to rights of licensees in case of infringement.
  50. 31Exclusive licensee having rights and remedies of assignee.
  51. Application for registered trade mark
  52. 32Application for registration.
  53. 33Date of filing.
  54. 34Classification of trade marks.
  55. Priority
  56. 35Claim to priority of Convention application.
  57. 36Claim to priority from other relevant overseas application.
  58. Registration procedure
  59. 37Examination of application.
  60. 38Publication, opposition proceedings and observations.
  61. 39Withdrawal, restriction or amendment of application.
  62. 40Registration.
  63. 41Registration: supplementary provisions.
  64. Duration, renewal and alteration of registered trade mark
  65. 42Duration of registration.
  66. 43Renewal of registration.
  67. 44Alteration of registered trade mark.
  68. Surrender, revocation and invalidity
  69. 45Surrender of registered trade mark.
  70. 46Revocation of registration.
  71. 47Grounds for invalidity of registration.
  72. 48Effect of acquiescence.
  73. Collective marks
  74. 49Collective marks.
  75. Certification marks
  76. 50Certification marks.
  77. Part II: European Union trade marks and international matters
  78. European Union trade marks
  79. 51Meaning of “European Union trade mark”
  80. 52Power to make provision in connection with European Union Trade Mark Regulation. Repealed
  81. 52ACertain trade marks registered as European Union trade marks to be treated as registered trade marks
  82. The Madrid Protocol: international registration
  83. 53The Madrid Protocol.
  84. 54Power to make provision giving effect to Madrid Protocol.
  85. 54ACertain international trade marks protected in the European Union to be treated as registered trade marks
  86. The Paris Convention: supplementary provisions
  87. 55The Paris Convention.
  88. 56Protection of well-known trade marks: Article 6bis.
  89. 57National emblems, &c. of Convention countries: Article 6ter.
  90. 58Emblems, &c. of certain international organisations: Article 6ter.
  91. 59Notification under Article 6ter of the Convention.
  92. 60Acts of agent or representative: Article 6septies. Repealed
  93. Miscellaneous
  94. 61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  95. Nice Classification
  96. 60ASimilarity of goods and services
  97. Part III: Administrative and other supplementary provisions
  98. The registrar
  99. 62The registrar.
  100. The register
  101. 63The register.
  102. 64Rectification or correction of the register.
  103. 65Adaptation of entries to new classification.
  104. Powers and duties of the registrar
  105. 66Power to require use of forms.
  106. 67Information about applications and registered trade marks.
  107. 68Costs and security for costs.
  108. 69Evidence before registrar.
  109. 70Exclusion of liability in respect of official acts.
  110. 71Registrar’s annual report.
  111. Legal proceedings and appeals
  112. 72Registration to be prima facie evidence of validity.
  113. 73Certificate of validity of contested registration.
  114. 74Registrar’s appearance in proceedings involving the register.
  115. 75The court.
  116. 76Appeals from the registrar.
  117. 77Persons appointed to hear and determine appeals.
  118. Rules, fees, hours of business, &c.
  119. 78Power of Secretary of State to make rules.
  120. 79Fees.
  121. 80Hours of business and business days.
  122. 81The trade marks journal.
  123. Trade mark agents
  124. 82Recognition of agents.
  125. 83The register of trade mark attorneys
  126. 83ARegulation of trade mark attorneys
  127. 84Unregistered persons not to be described as registered trade mark agents.
  128. 85Power to prescribe conditions, &c. for mixed partnerships and bodies corporate. Repealed
  129. 86Use of the term “trade mark attorney”.
  130. 87Privilege for communications with registered trade mark agents.
  131. 88Power of registrar to refuse to deal with certain agents.
  132. Importation of infringing goods, material or articles
  133. 89Infringing goods, material or articles may be treated as prohibited goods.
  134. 90Power of Commissioners of Customs and Excise to make regulations.
  135. 91Power of Commissioners for Revenue and Customs to disclose information.
  136. Offences
  137. 92Unauthorised use of trade mark, &c. in relation to goods.
  138. 92ASearch warrants
  139. 93Enforcement function of local weights and measures authority.
  140. 94Falsification of register, &c.
  141. 95Falsely representing trade mark as registered.
  142. 96Supplementary provisions as to summary proceedings in Scotland.
  143. Forfeiture of counterfeit goods, &c.
  144. 97Forfeiture: England and Wales or Northern Ireland.
  145. 98Forfeiture: Scotland.
  146. Part IV: Miscellaneous and general provisions
  147. Miscellaneous
  148. 99Unauthorised use of Royal arms, &c.
  149. 99AReproduction of trade marks in dictionaries, encyclopaedias etc.
  150. 100Burden of proving use of trade mark.
  151. 101Offences committed by partnerships and bodies corporate.
  152. Interpretation
  153. 102Adaptation of expressions for Scotland.
  154. 103Minor definitions.
  155. 104Index of defined expressions.
  156. Other general provisions
  157. 105Transitional provisions.
  158. 106Consequential amendments and repeals.
  159. 107Territorial waters and the continental shelf.
  160. 108Extent.
  161. 109Commencement.
  162. 110Short title.
  163. Schedule 1: Collective marks
  164. General
  165. 1Paragraph 1
  166. Signs of which a collective mark may consist
  167. 2Paragraph 2
  168. Indication of geographical origin
  169. 3Paragraph 3
  170. Mark not to be misleading as to character or significance
  171. 4Paragraph 4
  172. Regulations governing use of collective mark
  173. 5Paragraph 5
  174. Approval of regulations by registrar
  175. 6Paragraph 6
  176. 7Paragraph 7
  177. 8Paragraph 8
  178. Regulations to be open to inspection
  179. 9Paragraph 9
  180. Amendment of regulations
  181. 10Paragraph 10
  182. Infringement: rights of authorised users
  183. 11Paragraph 11
  184. 12Paragraph 12
  185. Grounds for revocation of registration
  186. 13Paragraph 13
  187. Grounds for invalidity of registration
  188. 14Paragraph 14
  189. Schedule 2: Certification marks
  190. General
  191. 1Paragraph 1
  192. Signs of which a certification mark may consist
  193. 2Paragraph 2
  194. Indication of geographical origin
  195. 3Paragraph 3
  196. Nature of proprietor’s business
  197. 4Paragraph 4
  198. Mark not to be misleading as to character or significance
  199. 5Paragraph 5
  200. Regulations governing use of certification mark
  201. 6Paragraph 6
  202. Approval of regulations, &c.
  203. 7Paragraph 7
  204. 8Paragraph 8
  205. 9Paragraph 9
  206. Regulations to be open to inspection
  207. 10Paragraph 10
  208. Amendment of regulations
  209. 11Paragraph 11
  210. Consent to assignment of registered certification mark
  211. 12Paragraph 12
  212. Infringement: rights of authorised users
  213. 13Paragraph 13
  214. 14Paragraph 14
  215. Grounds for revocation of registration
  216. 15Paragraph 15
  217. Grounds for invalidity of registration
  218. 16Paragraph 16
  219. Schedule 2A: EUROPEAN UNION TRADE MARKS
  220. Part 1: Existing European Union trade marks
  221. 1A trade mark registered as an existing EUTM to be treated as registered under this Act
  222. 2Opt out
  223. 3Entries to be made in the register in relation to a comparable trade mark (EU)
  224. 4Comparable trade mark (EU) which derives from an EU Collective Mark or EU Certification Mark
  225. 5Renewal of a comparable trade mark (EU) which expires within six months after IP completion day
  226. 6Restoration of a comparable trade mark (EU)
  227. 7Raising of relative grounds in opposition proceedings in case of non-use
  228. 8Non-use as defence in infringement proceedings and revocation of registration of a comparable trade mark (EU)
  229. 9Grounds for invalidity of registration of a trade mark based upon an earlier comparable trade mark (EU)
  230. 10Reputation of a comparable trade mark (EU)
  231. 11Rights conferred by registered trade mark
  232. 12Effect of claim of priority
  233. 13Effect of seniority claim
  234. 14Determination of invalidity and liability to revocation in relation to claims of seniority
  235. 15Procedure for declaration that trade mark would have been liable to be revoked or declared invalid
  236. 16Assignment of an existing EUTM not registered on IP completion day
  237. 17Effect of a licence of an existing EUTM
  238. 18Effect of a security interest in an existing EUTM
  239. 19Continuity of rights in relation to a comparable trade mark (EU)
  240. 20Existing EUTM: pending proceedings
  241. 21Existing EUTM: effect of injunction
  242. 21AExisting EUTM: effect of invalidity or revocation
  243. Part 2: Treatment of European Union trade marks which expire during the period of six months ending on IP completion day
  244. 22Registration of certain expired European Union trade marks
  245. 23Renewal of an expired EUTM
  246. Part 3: Applications for European Union trade marks which are pending on IP completion day
  247. 24Application of Part
  248. 25Application for registration under this Act based upon an existing EUTM application
  249. 26Right to claim seniority where seniority has been claimed by an existing EUTM application
  250. 27Determination of invalidity and liability to revocation in relation to claim of seniority under paragraph 26
  251. Part 4: Restoration of European Union trade mark registrations and applications
  252. 28Restoration of a European Union trade mark to the EUTM Register
  253. 29Restoration of an application for a European Union trade mark
  254. Part 5: Interpretation
  255. 30Interpretation
  256. Schedule 2B: INTERNATIONAL TRADE MARKS PROTECTED IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
  257. Part 1: Existing international trade marks protected in the European Union
  258. 1An international trade mark protected in the European Union to be treated as registered under this Act
  259. 2Opt out
  260. 3Entries to be made in the register in relation to a comparable trade mark (IR)
  261. 4Comparable trade mark (IR) which derives from a mark treated as an EU Collective Mark or EU Certification Mark
  262. 5Renewal of a comparable trade mark (IR) which expires within six months after IP completion day
  263. 6Restoration of a comparable trade mark (IR)
  264. 7Raising of relative grounds in opposition proceedings in case of non-use
  265. 8Non-use as defence in infringement proceedings and revocation of registration of a comparable trade mark (IR)
  266. 9Grounds for invalidity of registration of a trade mark based upon an earlier comparable trade mark (IR)
  267. 10Reputation of a comparable trade mark (IR)
  268. 11Rights conferred by registered trade mark
  269. 12Effect of disclaimer
  270. 13Effect of claim of priority
  271. 14Effect of seniority claim
  272. 15Determination of invalidity and liability to revocation in relation to claims of seniority
  273. 16Procedure for declaration that trade mark would have been liable to be revoked or declared invalid
  274. 17Assignment of an existing IR(EU) not registered on IP completion day
  275. 18Effect of a licence of an existing IR(EU)
  276. 19Effect of a security interest in an existing IR(EU)
  277. 20Continuity of rights in relation to a comparable trade mark (IR)
  278. 21Existing IR(EU): pending proceedings
  279. 22Existing IR(EU): effect of injunction
  280. Part 2: Treatment of international trade marks protected in the European Union which expire during the period of six months ending on IP completion day
  281. 23Registration of certain expired international trade marks
  282. 24Renewal of an expired IR(EU)
  283. 25Renewal of an expired IR(EU): territorial extension under Article 3ter(1)
  284. 26Renewal of an expired IR(EU): territorial extension under Article 3ter(2)
  285. Part 3: Applications for the extension of protection of international registrations to the European Union which are pending on IP completion day
  286. 27Interpretation
  287. 28Application for registration under this Act based upon an existing ITM application or an existing request for EU extension recorded in the International Register prior to IP completion day
  288. 29Application for registration under this Act based upon an existing ITM application or an existing request for EU extension recorded in the International Register on or after IP completion day
  289. 30Right to claim seniority where seniority has been claimed by an existing ITM application or an existing request for EU extension
  290. 31Determination of invalidity and liability to revocation in relation to claim of seniority under paragraph 30
  291. Part 4: Transformation applications which are pending on IP completion day
  292. 32Transformation applications
  293. 33Application for registration based upon a cancelled international registration
  294. Part 5: Interpretation
  295. 34Interpretation
  296. Schedule 3: Transitional provisions
  297. Introductory
  298. 1Paragraph 1
  299. Existing registered marks
  300. 2Paragraph 2
  301. 3Paragraph 3
  302. Effects of registration: infringement
  303. 4Paragraph 4
  304. Infringing goods, material or articles
  305. 5Paragraph 5
  306. Rights and remedies of licensee or authorised user
  307. 6Paragraph 6
  308. Co-ownership of registered mark
  309. 7Paragraph 7
  310. Assignment, &c. of registered mark
  311. 8Paragraph 8
  312. Licensing of registered mark
  313. 9Paragraph 9
  314. Pending applications for registration
  315. 10Paragraph 10
  316. Conversion of pending application
  317. 11Paragraph 11
  318. Trade marks registered according to old classification
  319. 12Paragraph 12
  320. Claim to priority from overseas application
  321. 13Paragraph 13
  322. 14Paragraph 14
  323. Duration and renewal of registration
  324. 15Paragraph 15
  325. Pending application for alteration of registered mark
  326. 16Paragraph 16
  327. Revocation for non-use
  328. 17Paragraph 17
  329. Application for rectification, &c.
  330. 18Paragraph 18
  331. Regulations as to use of certification mark
  332. 19Paragraph 19
  333. Sheffield marks
  334. 20Paragraph 20
  335. Certificate of validity of contested registration
  336. 21Paragraph 21
  337. Trade mark agents
  338. 22Paragraph 22
  339. Schedule 4: Consequential amendments
  340. General adaptation of existing references
  341. 1Paragraph 1
  342. Patents and Designs Act 1907 (c.29)
  343. 2Paragraph 2
  344. Patents, Designs, Copyright and Trade Marks (Emergency) Act 1939(c.107)
  345. 3Paragraph 3
  346. Trade Descriptions Act 1968 (c.29)
  347. 4Paragraph 4
  348. Solicitors Act 1974 (c.47)
  349. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  350. House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c.24)
  351. 6Paragraph 6
  352. Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976 (c.34)
  353. 7Paragraph 7
  354. Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (c.48)
  355. 8Paragraph 8
  356. Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 (c.53)
  357. 9Paragraph 9
  358. Schedule 5: Repeals and revocations