FAQ

1.  Q: What is a trademark?

A: A trademark is a sign that distinguishes the goods and services of one trader from those of others. Typically a trademark can be words (including personal names), indications, designs, letters, characters, numerals, figurative elements, colours, sounds, smells, the shape of the goods or their packaging or any combination of these. A sign must be capable of being represented graphically in order for it to be registered as a trademark.

2.  Q: How to apply to register a trademark?

A: You may use the Search and Preliminary Advice Services provided by the Intellectual Property Department before applying for a trademark using Form T1. It can tell whether the Intellectual Property Department will likely be accepting your trademark registration and this may save you from applying for an unregistrable trademark. To apply to register a trademark, you should fill in the application form (Form T2 is compulsory, Form T2A only if applicable).

3.  Q: What is the fee for registering a trademark?

A: The fee for the Search and Preliminary Advice services is $400 for each service (plus $200 per each additional class of goods or services, if any). As for the application fee for the registration of a trademark, it is $2,000 for registering a trademark for one class of goods or services, and $1,000 for each additional class of goods or services.