As an international financial center and with a free economic system, low tax rate and comprehensive infrastructure and supporting trade services, Hong Kong attracts investors from all around the world. While enhancing its international reputation, Hong Kong’s industries such as service, financial, textile, electronic, jewellery, logistic, gift and premium, and toys are well known around the world. Lots of investors have registered their trademarks in Hong Kong in order to protect their brands and enhance their competiveness.

The Right of Priority on Hong Kong Trademark Registration

An applicant may enjoy the right of priority on trademark registration in Hong Kong if he/she has filed an application for trademark registration for the same goods or service with a state party to Paris Convention or a WTO member state within six months before filing such application for trademark registration in Hong Kong.

Matters to be Considered before Filing an Application

• Is the trademark distinctive (Distinctiveness: The trademark clearly sets the applicant’s goods and services apart from those of other traders)
• Does the trademark show the distinctiveness of the applicant’s goods and services
• Is the trademark a well known term in that line of business
• Is the trademark the same or similar to other people’s trademarks

Required Documents

• A copy of current Business Registration Certificate of the applicant, if the applicant is a corporation
• A copy of Identification documents of the applicant, if the applicant is an individual person
• Clear image of the trademark
• List of goods or services

Trademark Registration Flow

• Trademark Search
• Initial Application
• Substantive Examination
• Publication
• Issuance of Certificate

Preliminary Trademark Search

The Preliminary trademark search, while optional, to avoid legal complications in the future. The point of a trademark search is to ensure that the trademark is not already under application or registered by another entity in order to reduce the possibilities of the rejection or opposition raised.

Required Time

About 4-8 months

Period of Validity

Six months before the expiration of an application for renewal, renewal is valid for 10 years

Renewal upon Expiration

Renewable for another 10 years upon expiration of the Hong Kong trademark registration

Note:Trade Marks Registry does not accept P.O. box address or “care of” address. An applicant shall provide an address for service, telephone number, facsimile number and email address which can be provided by Sino Corp for the officers of Trade Marks Registry to contact him/her at any time.