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Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1
Purpose of this Act
This Act is enacted for protection of the rights of trademark, certification mark, collective
membership mark, collective trademark and the interests of consumers, maintenance of fair
competition, and promotion of development of the industry and commerce.
Article 2
Registration for protection
Any person who wishes to obtain the rights of trademark, certification mark, collective membership
mark, or collective trademark shall apply for registration therefor in accordance with this Act.
Article 3
Competent Authority and Registrar Office
The Competent Authority of this Act is the Ministry of Economic Affairs (hereinafter as the
MOEA).
Trademark affairs shall be administered under a registrar office appointed by the MOEA.
Article 4
Principle of reciprocity
An application for trademark registration, filed by a national of a country other than the Republic of
China (ROC), may be inadmissible if such country does not accede to any international treaty for
protection of trademarks, to which the ROC accedes, or does not conclude with the ROC any treaty
or agreement for reciprocal protection of trademarks, or does not admit applications for trademark
registration filed by nationals of the ROC.
Article 5
Use of trademark
“Use of a trademark” means any of the following act, in the course of trade, where such trademark
is capable of being recognized by relevant consumers as a trademark:
(1) to apply a trademark to goods or packaging or containers thereof;
(2) to possess, display, sell, export, or import the goods referred to in the preceding subparagraph;
(3) to apply a trademark to articles relating to the provision of services; or
(4) to apply a trademark to commercial documents or advertisements relating to goods or services.
The preceding paragraph shall also apply to acts performed by digital audio-visual means, through
electronic media, on the Internet, or through other media.
Article 6
Appointment of trademark agent
An applicant, holder or other interested person may appoint a trademark agent to apply for
trademark registration and related affairs. Those who have no domicile or business establishment in
the territory of the ROC shall appoint a trademark agent to apply for trademark registration and
related affairs.
A trademark agent shall have a domicile in the ROC.
Article 7
Application for registration of jointly owned trademark
When there are two or more persons who wish to jointly own a trademark, the application shall be
filed in the names of all the joint applicants. The joint applicants may also elect one of them to
represent all the joint applicants in the process of application for registration and related affairs, and
receive relevant documents on their behalf.
In the absence of electing a representative referred to in the preceding paragraph, the Registrar
Office shall assign the first-listed joint applicant in the application as the person to be served upon
and shall give the subsequent joint applicants a notice of such service matters.
Article 8
Inadmissibility of application; restoration to status quo ante
Unless otherwise prescribed in this Act, an application or other proceedings of trademark shall be
inadmissible if an applicant, holder or other interested person thereof has failed to comply within
the statutory period, to conform to legal formality that cannot be amended, or to conform to legal
formality which is not amended within the period specified in a notice. However, if the failure to
conform to legal formality which is not amended within the specified period has been amended
before the disposition is rendered, such application or proceeding shall still be admissible.
Where an applicant, holder or other interested person has failed to comply within the statutory
period by reason of an act of God or any event not attributable to such applicant, holder or interested
person, he/she may apply for restoration to the status quo ante, within thirty days from the day
following the date on which the cause vanishes, by submitting a written statement to the Registrar
Office clarifying the reason. No application for restoration to the status quo ante may be made upon
the failure to comply within the statutory period for more than one year.
When applying for restoration to the status quo ante, the omitted act that should have been done
within the statutory period shall be completed together with the application for restoration.
The preceding two paragraphs shall not apply to the failure to comply within the period prescribed
in Paragraph 3 of Article 32.
Article 9
Date to be based on
The date of application and other proceedings of trademark shall be based on the date of receipt of
the written documents or articles at the Registrar Office. The date of those via postal service shall be
based on the postmarked date of the place of origin.
Unless otherwise proved by the concerned party, the date of those whose postmarked date appears
to be ambiguous will be based on the date of receipt at the Registrar Office.
Article 10
Service by publication
Where a disposition or any other document cannot be served, such disposition or document shall be
published in the Trademark Gazette and shall be deemed having been duly served in thirty days
from the day following the date of publication.
Article 11
Trademark Gazette
The Registrar Office shall publish and circulate the Trademark Gazette, in which registered
trademarks and relevant particulars shall be entered.
The Trademark Gazette referred to in the preceding paragraph may be published and circulated by
electronic means; the date of commencement thereof shall be prescribed by the Registrar Office.
Article 12
Trademark Register
The Registrar Office shall maintain the Trademark Register, in which the trademark registrations,
changes to trademark rights and all other particulars prescribed by acts or regulations shall be
entered and made available to the public.
The Trademark Register referred to in the preceding paragraph may be produced by electronic
means.
Article 13
E-filing
Application and other proceedings of trademark may be transmitted by electronic means; the
implementing regulations thereof shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority.
Article 14
Assignment of examiner
The Registrar Office shall assign examiner(s) to conduct the examination of applications for
trademark registration, opposition, invalidation, and revocation.
The qualification of examiner referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be prescribed by law.
Article 15
Disposition in writing
The Registrar Office shall render a written disposition on examination of applications referred to in
paragraph 1 of the preceding article, in which the reason is stated, and serve the said disposition to
the applicant.
The disposition referred to in the preceding paragraph shall bear the name(s) of the examiner(s).
Article 16
Calculation of period
For the purpose of calculation of a period, except those referred to in Paragraph 1 of Article 33,
Paragraph 4 of Article 75, and Article 103, the first day does not count.
Article 17
Provisions applied mutatis mutandis
The provisions of this Chapter with respect to trademarks shall apply mutatis mutandis to
certification marks, collective membership marks, and collective trademarks.
Chapter II Trademark
Section I Application for Registration
Article 18
Signs of which trademark may consist; distinctiveness
A trademark shall refer to any sign with distinctiveness, which may, in particular, consist of words,
devices, symbols, colors, three-dimensional shapes, motions, holograms, sounds, or any
combination thereof.
The term “distinctiveness” used in the preceding paragraph refers to the character of a sign capable
of being recognized by relevant consumers as an indication of the source of goods or services and
distinguishing goods or services of one undertaking from those of other undertakings.
Article 19
Application for trademark registration; date of filing
An application for trademark registration shall be made to the Registrar Office by submitting an
application containing (the name and address of) the applicant, a reproduction of the trademark, and
the list of designated goods or services.
The date of filing of an application for trademark registration is the date on which an application
referred to in the preceding paragraph is furnished to the Registrar Office.
A reproduction of the trademark shall be represented in a manner that is clear, precise,
self-contained, objective, durable, and easily intelligible.
An application for trademark registration shall relate to a single trademark, and may designate
goods or services classified in two or more classes.
Classification of goods or services referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be prescribed by the
Enforcement Rules of this Act.
The classification of goods or services referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not constrain the
determination of similarity of goods or services.
Article 20
Right of priority; same treatment for certain categories of persons as for nationals of ROC
An applicant who has duly filed an application for trademark registration in a country which has
reciprocal recognition of priority rights with the ROC, or filed such application with a member of
the World Trade Organization (WTO), may claim a right of priority, for the purposes of registering
the same trademark in the ROC for some or all the same goods or services, within six months from
the day following the date of filing of the first such application.
An applicant of a foreign country which is not a member of the WTO nor a country having
reciprocal recognition of priority rights with the ROC, may claim a right of priority pursuant to the
preceding paragraph if he/she is domiciled or has a business establishment in the territory of a
country which has reciprocal recognition of priority rights with the ROC or in the territory of a
member of the WTO.
An applicant who claims priority pursuant to paragraph 1 shall submit a written statement to that
effect simultaneously with the application which shall set forth the following:
(1) the date of filing of the first application;
(2) the country or the member of the WTO in which the first application was made; and
(3) the application number of the first application.
The applicant shall submit, within three months from the day following the date of filing of the
application, a copy of the application certified as admitted by the country or the member of the
WTO referred to in the preceding paragraph.
If an application is not filed pursuant to Subparagraph 1 or Subparagraph 2 of Paragraph 3 or the
preceding paragraph, the priority claim thereof shall be deemed not having been made.
If an application is filed with a claim of priority, the date of priority shall count as the date of filing.
If an application is filed with a claim of multiple priorities, the date of each priority shall count as
the date of filing of goods or services in respect of such priority.
Article 21
Right of exhibition priority
If an applicant for a trademark has displayed goods or services under the trademark applied for, at
an international exhibition which was held or officially recognized by the Government of the ROC,
and if such applicant files the application within a period of six months from the day following the
date of the first display of such goods or services, the date of the first display shall count as the date
of filing of the application.
The preceding article shall apply mutatis mutandis to applications filed with a claim of exhibition
priority under the preceding paragraph.
Article 22
Filing on same date
If two or more applications for trademark registration relating to identical or similar trademarks
which designate identical or similar goods or services are filed separately by different applicants on
the same date of which time precedence cannot be determined, and hence there exists a likelihood of
confusion on relevant consumers, all of such applicants shall reach an agreement on the precedence
by consultations among the applicants. Where no agreement is reached in the consultations, the
precedence shall be decided by a lottery.
Article 23
Prohibition and exception of amendment to trademark reproduction and designated goods or
services
No amendments shall be made to the reproduction of a trademark and the designated goods or
services thereof after an application for trademark registration has been filed, unless such
amendment is a restriction of designated goods or services or an amendment to the reproduction of a
trademark which does not substantially change such trademark.
Article 24
Change to application
Changes to the name or address of the applicant, the trademark agent, or any other particulars in an
application for registration shall be made by submitting to the Registrar Office a request therefor.
Article 25
Correction of application
The following errors in the particulars of an application for registration of a trademark may be
corrected upon request or ex officio:
(1) errors in the name or address of the applicant;
(2) errors of wording or of copying; or
(3) any other obvious mistakes.
The correction referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not affect the identity of the trademark or
broaden the scope of the designated goods or services.
Article 26
Division of application
An applicant may request the Registrar Office to divide an application for registration into two or
more applications by distributing the designated goods or services included in the original
application among divisional applications which shall preserve the filing date of the original
application.
Article 27
Transfer of application
The rights derived from an application for trademark registration may be transferred to another
person.
Article 28
Limitation and exception of disposition of right derived from application for registration of jointly
owned trademark
Any transfer of the right derived from an application for registration of a jointly owned trademark or
the share of a joint applicant in such trademark shall have the consent of all joint applicants, unless
such right or share is transferred by succession, compulsory execution, a judgment of the court or
operation of other law.
Any abandonment of the right derived from an application for registration of a jointly owned
trademark shall have the consent of all joint applicants, unless in the case that a joint applicant
abandons his/her own share in such trademark.
The share abandoned by a joint applicant referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be distributed
among the remaining joint applicants in proportion to each one’s share.
The preceding paragraph shall apply mutatis mutandis to cases where a joint applicant dies with no
successor or ceases to exist with no assumer.
Any restriction or division of the designated goods or services of an application for registration of a
jointly owned trademark shall have the consent of all joint applicants.
Section II Examination and Acceptance
Article 29
Grounds for refusal of registration: devoid of distinctiveness; disclaimer
A trademark shall not be registered if it is devoid of distinctiveness in any of the following:
(1) consisting exclusively of a description of the quality, intended purpose, material, place of origin,
or relevant characteristics of the designated goods or services;
(2) consisting exclusively of the generic mark or term for the designated goods or services; or
(3) consisting exclusively of other signs which are devoid of any distinctiveness.
Subparagraph 1 or 3 of the preceding paragraph shall not apply if the trademark has been used by
the applicant and has become, in trade, a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of the
applicant.
Where the reproduction of a trademark contains an element which is not distinctive, and where the
inclusion of that element in the trademark could give rise to doubts as to the scope of the trademark
rights, the applicant shall state that he/she disclaims any exclusive right to such element. Such
trademark without disclaimer shall not be registered.
Article 30
Other grounds for refusal of registration
A trademark shall not be registered in any of the following:
(1) being exclusively necessary for the goods or services to be functional;
(2) being identical with or similar to the national flag, national emblem, national seal, military flags,
military insignia, official seals, or medals of the ROC, or the state flags of foreign countries, or the
armorial bearings, national seals or other state emblems of foreign countries communicated by any
member of the WTO under Paragraph 3 of Article 6ter of the Paris Convention;
(3) being identical with the portrait or name of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen or of the head of the state;
(4) being identical with or similar to the mark of a government agency of the ROC or an official
exhibition held thereby, or the medal or certificate awarded thereby;
(5) being identical with or similar to the armorial bearings, flags, other emblems, abbreviations, and
names, of international intergovernmental organizations or well-known domestic or foreign
institutions undertaking businesses for public interests, and hence being likely to mislead the public;
(6) being identical with or similar to official signs and hallmarks indicating control and warranty
adopted by the domestic or foreign countries, and being designated to the identical or similar goods
or services;
(7) being contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality;
(8) being likely to mislead the public as to the nature, quality, or place of origin of the goods or
services;
(9) being identical with or similar to a geographical indication for wines or spirits in the ROC or a
foreign country, and being designated to goods that are identical with or similar to wines or spirits,
where that foreign country concludes with the ROC an agreement, or accedes to an international
treaty, to which the ROC also accedes, or has reciprocal recognition with the ROC of protection of
geographical indications for wines or spirits;
(10) being identical with or similar to another person’s registered trademark or earlier filed
trademark and to be applied for goods or services identical with or similar to those for which the
registered trademark is protected or the earlier filed trademark is designated, and hence there exists
a likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers, unless the consent of the proprietor of the said
registered trademark or earlier filed trademark to the application has been given and is not obviously
improper;
(11) being identical with or similar to another person’s well-known trademark or mark, and hence
there exists a likelihood of confusion on the relevant public or a likelihood of dilution of the
distinctiveness or reputation of the said well-known trademark or mark, unless the proprietor of the
said well-known trademark or mark consents to the application;
(12) being identical with or similar to another person’s earlier used trademark and to be applied for
goods or services identical with or similar to those for which the earlier used trademark is applied,
where the applicant with the intent to imitate the earlier used trademark, being aware of the
existence of the earlier used trademark due to contractual, regional, or business connections, or any
other relationship with the proprietor of the earlier used trademark, files the application for
registration, unless the proprietor of the said earlier used trademark consents to the application;
(13) containing another person’s portrait or well-known name, stage name, pseudonym, or
alternative name, unless the said person consents to the application;
(14) containing the name of a well-known juridical person, business or any group, and hence there
exists a likelihood of confusion on the relevant public, unless the said juridical person, business or
group consents to the application; or
(15) being an infringement of another person’s copyright, patent right, or any other right, where a
final judgment of the court has been rendered, unless the said person consents to the application.
The determination of a geographical indication, well-known trademark/mark, and earlier used
trademark as prescribed in Subparagraph 9 and Subparagraphs 11 to 14, respectively, of the
preceding paragraph shall be based on the facts at the time of filing.
Subparagraphs 4, 5 and 9 of Paragraph 1 of this Article shall not apply if the applicant is a
government agency or related institution.
Paragraph 3 of the preceding article shall apply mutatis mutandis to the ground for refusal
prescribed in Subparagraph 1 of Paragraph 1.
Article 31
Disposition of refusal; time limit on request of restriction of goods or services, amendment to
reproduction without substantial change, division and disclaimer
An application for trademark registration shall be refused if it is held, after examination, that under
Paragraph 1 or 3 of Article 29, Paragraph 1 or 4 of the preceding paragraph, or Paragraph 3 of
Article 65, the trademark shall not be registered.
Before rendering a disposition of refusal pursuant to the preceding paragraph, a written notice
stating grounds for refusal shall be given to the applicant, who may make observations on the
intended refusal within the prescribed period.
Any restriction of the designated goods or services, amendment to the reproduction of a trademark
which does not substantially change such trademark, division of an application for registration, or
disclaimer shall be requested before the disposition of refusal is rendered.
Article 32
Disposition of acceptance; payment of registration fee; relief measure of failure to pay
An application for trademark registration shall be accepted if, after examination, none of the
grounds for refusal prescribed in Paragraph 1 of the preceding article is found to exist.
A trademark been accepted for registration shall be published for registration and a trademark
certificate shall be issued, provided that the registration fee has been paid by the applicant within
two months from the day following the date of the service of the disposition. Where the said fee
remains unpaid by the end of the prescribed period, a trademark shall not be published for
registration.
Where an applicant has unintentionally failed to pay the fee within the period prescribed in the
preceding paragraph, the applicant may pay double within six months from the day following the
date on which the prescribed period expires, in which case the Registrar Office will publish the
registration. However, this shall not be applied if an application for trademark registration filed or
rights of a trademark obtained by a third party during such period would be affected.
Section III Trademark Rights
Article 33
Right conferred by registered trademark and duration of registration
The proprietor of a registered trademark shall have the exclusive right of the trademark for a period
of ten years from the date of publication for registration.
The period of the trademark right may be renewed, and the duration of each renewal period shall be
ten years.
Article 34
Renewal of registration
A request for renewal of the trademark right shall be made, and the renewal fee paid, within six
months before the expiry of the period of the trademark right; failing this, the request may be made
and the fee paid in double within such further period of six months from the day following the date
of expiry of the period of the trademark right.
Renewal referred to in the preceding paragraph shall take effect from the day following the date of
expiry of the previous period of the trademark right.
Article 35
Right in registered trademark
The proprietor of a registered trademark has the exclusive right in the trademark in relation to the
designated goods or services.
Unless otherwise prescribed in Article 36 of this Act, consent of the proprietor of a registered
trademark shall be required in any of the following:
(1) using a trademark which is identical with the registered trademark in relation to goods or
services which are identical with those for which it is registered;
(2) using a trademark which is identical with the registered trademark and used in relation to goods
or services similar to those for which the registered one is designated, and hence there exists a
likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers; or
(3) using a trademark which is similar to the registered trademark and used in relation to goods or
services identical with or similar to those for which the registered one is designated, and hence there
exists a likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers.
A trademark may, if registered, be displayed with the words “registered trademark” or the
internationally used symbol for registration (the letter R enclosed within a circle).
Article 36
Limits on effect of registered trademark
A registered trademark shall not entitle the proprietor to prohibit a third party from:
(1) indicating his/her own name, or the term, shape, quality, nature, characteristic, intended purpose,
place of origin, or any other description in relation to his/her own goods or services, in accordance
with honest practices in industrial or commercial matters and not using it as a trademark;
(2) using where it is necessary for the goods or services to be functional; or
(3) using bona fide, prior to the filing date of the registered trademark, an identical or similar
trademark on goods or services identical with or similar to those for which the registered trademark
is protected, provided that the use is only on the original goods or services; the proprietor of the
registered trademark is entitled to request the party who use the trademark to add an appropriate and
distinguishing indication.
Where goods have been put on the domestic or foreign market under a registered trademark by the
proprietor or with his consent, the proprietor is not entitled to claim trademark rights on such goods,
unless such claim is to prevent the condition of the goods been changed or impaired after they have
been put on the market or there exist other legitimate reasons.
Article 37
Division of registration
The proprietor of a registered trademark may request the Registrar Office to divide the registration
into two or more registrations by distributing the designated goods or services included in the
original registration among divisional registrations.
Article 38
Change and correction of registration; time limit on division and restriction
No amendments shall be made to the reproduction of a trademark and the designated goods or
services thereof after the trademark has been registered, unless such amendment is a restriction of
designated goods or services.
Articles 24 and 25 shall apply mutatis mutandis to any change or correction of the particulars of a
trademark registration.
If an application for opposition, invalidation or revocation has been entered at the Registrar Office
against a registered trademark, any division of the registration or restriction of the designated goods
or services shall be requested before the disposition of the application is rendered.
Article 39
Entry of license in the Register
A registered trademark may be licensed by the proprietor, exclusively or non-exclusively, for all or
some of the designated goods or services for which it is registered and for a particular locality.
A license referred to in the preceding paragraph shall have no locus standi against any third party
unless it is entered in the Register by the Registrar Office.
If the trademark right have been transferred after the license is entered in the Register, the transferee
is still bound by the licensing contract.
If the entry of an exclusive license is requested by the proprietor of a registered trademark after a
non-exclusive license is entered in the Register, such non-exclusive license shall not be affected.
An exclusive licensee is entitled, within the scope of the license, to exclude the proprietor and any
third party from using the registered trademark.
Unless otherwise prescribed in a licensing contract, an exclusive licensee is entitled, within the
scope of the license, to bring infringement proceedings in his/her own name.
Article 40
Entry of sub-license in the Register
Unless otherwise prescribed in a licensing contract, an exclusive licensee is entitled, within the
scope of the license, to sub-license the registered trademark to another person.
A non-exclusive licensee shall not sub-license the registered trademark to another person, unless the
proprietor or the exclusive licensee consents to the sub-license.
A sub-license shall have no locus standi against any third party unless it is entered in the Register by
the Registrar Office.
Article 41
Removal of license from the Register
Before the expiry of the period of a license, a concerned or an interested party may, by submitting
relevant evidence, request the Registrar Office to remove the license from the Register under any of
the following:
(1) both the proprietor of the registered trademark and the licensee agree to terminate the license;
such request shall also apply to the sub-license;
(2) where the licensing contract expressly prescribes that either the proprietor or the licensee may
terminate the license at any time, the concerned party declares the termination;
(3) due to the licensee’s breaching the licensing contract, the proprietor gives such licensee a notice
of rescinding or terminating the licensing contract, and the licensee shows no objection thereto; or
(4) there is other relevant evidence capable of establishing that the license no longer exists.
Article 42
Entry of transfer in the Register
A transfer of trademark right shall have no locus standi against any third party unless it is entered in
the Register by the Registrar Office.
Article 43
Addition to appropriate and distinguishing indication
If, due to a transfer of trademark right, two or more proprietors use an identical trademark on similar
goods or services or similar trademarks on identical or similar goods or services, and hence there
exists a likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers, each proprietor shall add an appropriate and
distinguishing indication while using his/her own trademark.
Article 44
Entry of pledge in the Register
A creation, change, or extinguishment of a pledge made by the proprietor of a registered trademark
shall have no locus standi against any third party unless it is entered in the Register by the Registrar
Office.
Where a proprietor creates multiple pledges on his/her trademark right for the purpose of securing
multiple creditors’ rights, the ranks of these pledges shall be decided by the order of the entry in the
Register.
A pledgee in respect of right in a registered trademark shall not use such trademark unless otherwise
licensed by the proprietor thereof.
Article 45
Abandonment of registration
The proprietor of a registered trademark may abandon his/her trademark right. However, if a license
or a pledge has entered in the Register, the proprietor shall get the consent of the licensee or
pledgee.
The abandonment referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be made in writing to the Registrar
Office.
Article 46
Disposition of right of jointly owned trademark
Any license, sub-license, transfer, abandonment of, or creation of pledge on the right in a jointly
owned trademark or any transfer of or creation of pledge on the share in a jointly owned trademark
shall have the consent of all joint proprietors, unless such right or share is transferred by succession,
compulsory execution, a judgment of the court or operation of other law.
The proviso to Paragraph 2 of Article 28 and Paragraph 3 of same Article shall apply mutatis
mutandis to a joint proprietor’s abandonment of his/her share.
Where a joint proprietor dies with no successor or ceases to exist with no assumer, Paragraph 4 of
Article 28 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the distribution of such joint proprietor’s share.
Paragraph 5 of Article 28 shall apply mutatis mutandis to a restriction or division of the designated
goods or services of a jointly owned registered trademark.
Article 47
Extinguishment of registration
Right of a registered trademark shall become extinguished under any of the following:
(1) where the right is not renewed pursuant to Article 34, such right shall become extinguished from
the day following the date of expiry of the period of such right.
(2) where the proprietor of such trademark dies with no successor, such right shall become
extinguished from the day following the date of death of such proprietor; or
(3) where the right is abandoned pursuant to Article 45, such right shall become extinguished from
the date of receipt of a written statement on the abandonment at the Registrar Office.
Section IV Opposition
Article 48
Grounds for opposition and time limit on filing
Any person may file an opposition to registration of a trademark with the Registrar Office within
three months from the day following the date of publication of registration on the grounds that such
registration falls under Paragraph 1 of Article 29, Paragraph 1 of Article 30, or Paragraph 3 of
Article 65.
The opposition referred to in the preceding paragraph may be filed for some of the designated goods
or services of the registered trademark.
An application for opposition shall be filed against a single registered trademark.
Article 49
Opposition procedure
Any person who opposes a registered trademark shall file an application stating the facts and
grounds along with a copy thereof. Any attachments to the application shall also be enclosed with
the copy.
The Registrar Office shall serve the copy on the proprietor of opposed trademark, who may make
observations to the opposition within the prescribed period; where the proprietor files the
observations, the Registrar Office shall serve a copy of the observations on the opponent, who may
comment on the observations of the proprietor within the prescribed period.
Where the observations filed pursuant to the preceding paragraph is likely to delay the proceedings,
or where the facts and evidence are sufficiently clear, the Registrar Office may conduct opposition
proceedings directly without giving the opposite party a notice to make observations.
Article 50
Provisions govern in opposition
With respect to the grounds for an opposition to a registered trademark, the provisions in effect at
the time of the said trademark publication of registration shall govern, unless otherwise prescribed
in Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 3 of Article 106.
Article 51
Avoidance of examiner in opposition
An application for opposition to a trademark shall be examined by an examiner, who did not
participate in the examination of the application for registration of the opposed trademark.
Article 52
Invariance of concerned party in opposition
A transfer of the right of a trademark of which the opposition proceedings is underway shall have no
effect on the said opposition proceedings.
A transferee of trademark right referred to in the preceding paragraph may declare to assume the
position of the opposed party in the opposition proceedings.
Article 53
Withdraw of opposition
An opponent may withdraw his/her opposition to a registered trademark before the disposition of
such opposition is rendered.
An opponent who withdrew his/her opposition to a registered trademark shall not file an opposition
once more or invalidation against such opposed trademark based on the same facts, evidence and
grounds as those in the withdrawn opposition.
Article 54
Effect of sustained opposition
Where an opposition to a registered trademark is sustained, the registration of the opposed
trademark shall be cancelled.
Article 55
Cancellation of some goods or services
Where grounds for cancellation referred to in the preceding article exist in respect of some of the
designated goods or services of the registered trademark, the registration may only be cancelled in
respect of those goods or services.
Article 56
Ne bis in idem
Where a disposition of the opposition to a registered trademark became final, no one shall file any
invalidation against such opposed trademark based on the same facts, evidence and grounds as those
in the opposition.
Section V Invalidation
Article 57
Grounds for invalidation; proof of use of earlier trademark
An interested party may file an invalidation with the Registrar Office, or a trademark examiner may
submit a proposal to the Registrar Office for an invalidation, against a trademark registration on the
grounds that such registration falls under Paragraph 1 of Article 29, Paragraph 1 of Article 30, or
Paragraph 3 of Article 65.
An applicant who file an invalidation with the Registrar Office against a trademark registration on
the grounds that such registration falls under Subparagraph 10 of Paragraph 1 of Article 30 shall
furnish proof that, during the period of three years preceding the date of the application for
invalidation, the earlier trademark has been used in connection with the goods or services in respect
of which it is registered and which he/she cites as justification for his/her application, or that there
are proper reasons for non-use, provided the earlier trademark has at that date been registered for
not less than three years.
The proof of use furnished pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be capable of establishing the
genuine use of the trademark in accordance with general commercial practices.
Article 58
Time limit on filing invalidation and exception
No invalidation shall be filed, or no proposal for an invalidation shall be submitted, against a
trademark registration on the grounds that such registration falls under Subparagraph 1 or 3 of
Paragraph 1 of Article 29, any of Subparagraphs 9 through 15 of Paragraph 1 of Article 30, or
Paragraph 3 of Article 65 if the registration has at that date been published for not less than five
years.
The period referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not apply to the invalidation against a
trademark registration on the grounds that such registration falls under Subparagraph 9 or 11 of
Paragraph 1 of Article 30 if the registration was applied for in bad faith.
Article 59
Invalidation procedure
An examination on an application for invalidation shall be conducted by an invalidation panel
consisting of three or more examiners assigned by the head of the Registrar Office.
Article 60
Effect of sustained invalidation
Where an invalidation against a registered trademark is sustained, such registration shall be
cancelled. However, if the circumstance on which the trademark is not registrable no longer exists, a
disposition to overrule such invalidation may be rendered upon considering the need for
proportionality between the interests of the public and the interests of the concerned parties.
Article 61
Ne bis in idem
Where a disposition of an invalidation against a registered trademark was rendered, no one shall file
another invalidation against such trademark based on the same facts, evidence and grounds as those
in the earlier invalidation.
Article 62
Provisions applied mutatis mutandis to invalidation
Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 48, Articles 49 through 53, and Article 55 shall apply mutatis
mutandis to an invalidation of a registered trademark.
Section VI Revocation
Article 63
Grounds for revocation; revocation of some goods or services
The Registrar Office shall, ex officio or upon an application, revoke the registration of a trademark
if such trademark is in any of the following:
(1) where the trademark is altered by the proprietor in different forms in which it was registered or
supplemented with additional notes whereby the trademark is identical with or similar to another
person’s registered trademark in relation to goods or services which are identical with or similar to
those for which another person’s registered trademark is designated, and hence there exists a
likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers;
(2) where the trademark has not yet been put to use or such use has been suspended for a continuous
period of not less than three years without proper reasons for non-use, unless the trademark has been
put to use by a licensee;
(3) where no appropriate and distinguishing indication is added pursuant to Article 43, unless the
indication has been added and hence there does not exist any likelihood of confusion before the
disposition of revocation rendered by the Registrar Office;
(4) where the trademark has become the generic mark or term, or common shape for the designated
goods or services; or
(5) where, in consequence of the actual use of the trademark, such trademark is likely to mislead the
public as to the nature, quality, or place of origin of the goods or services.
The revocation shall also apply in the case where the proprietor of the registered trademark who,
knowingly or with reasonable grounds to know, shows no objection to the conduct as prescribed in
Subparagraph 1 of preceding paragraph by a licensee.
The trademark registration shall not be revoked on the ground prescribed in Subparagraph 2 of
Paragraph 1 if such use as in referred to in that subparagraph is commenced or resumed before the
application for revocation is filed, unless any such commencement or resumption of use within the
period of three months before the filing of the application is because the proprietor became aware
that the application might be filed.
Where grounds for revocation exist in respect of some of the designated goods or services of the
registered trademark, the registration may be revoked in respect of those goods or services.
Article 64
Identity of trademark
Actual use of a registered trademark by the proprietor in a form differing in elements which do not
affect the identity of the trademark according to general concepts in the society shall constitute use
of the registered trademark.
Article 65
Revocation procedure
The Registrar Office shall serve a copy of an application for revocation on the proprietor of a
registered trademark, who may make observations to the revocation within the prescribed period;
where the proprietor files the observations, the Registrar Office shall serve a copy of the
observations on the applicant, who may comment on the observations of the proprietor within the
prescribed period. An application for revocation may be dismissed directly if the application is
devoid of any concrete facts and evidence or based on obviously groundless claims.
Where a copy of an application for revocation against a registered trademark on the ground
prescribed in Subparagraph 2 of Paragraph 1 of Article 63 has been served on the proprietor of such
trademark, such proprietor shall furnish proof of his/her use. Such registration may be revoked
directly if the proprietor fails to make observations within the prescribed period.
Where the trademark registration was revoked on the ground prescribed in Subparagraph 1 of
Paragraph 1 of Article 63, a trademark which is identical with or similar to the revoked trademark in
relation to goods or services which are identical with or similar to those for which the revoked
trademark is designated shall not be applied for registration by the former proprietor of the revoked
trademark or transferred or licensed to such former proprietor within three years from the day
following the date of revocation; the aforementioned shall also apply to the circumstance that the
trademark right has been abandoned before the disposition of revocation rendered by the Registrar
Office.
Article 66
Provisions govern in invalidation
With respect to the grounds for a revocation against a registered trademark, the provisions in effect
at the time of the application for revocation filed shall govern.
Article 67
Provisions applied mutatis mutandis to revocation
Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Articles 48, Paragraphs 1 and 3 of Article 49, Article 52 and Article 53 shall
apply mutatis mutandis to the examination of revocation.
Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 57 shall apply mutatis mutandis to an application for revocation on the
ground prescribed in Subparagraph 1 of Paragraph 1 of Article 63.
Paragraph 3 of Article 57 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the circumstance that a proprietor of a
revoked trademark furnishes proof of use pursuant to Paragraph 2 of Article 65.
Section VII Infringement Remedies
Article 68
Infringement of registered trademark
Any of the following acts, without consent of the proprietor of a registered trademark, constitutes
infringement of the right of such trademark:
(1) using a trademark which is identical with the registered trademark in relation to goods or
services which are identical with those for which it is registered;
(2) using a trademark which is identical with the registered trademark and used in relation to goods
or services similar to those for which the registered one is designated, and hence there exists a
likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers; or
(3) using a trademark which is similar to the registered trademark and used in relation to goods or
services identical with or similar to those for which the registered one is designated, and hence there
exists a likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers.
Any person who, without the consent of the proprietor of a registered trademark, manufactures, sells,
possesses, displays, exports, or imports labels, tags, packaging, containers, or service-related articles
that bear trademarks the same or similar to said registered trademark of the identical or similar
goods or services in the course of trade for their own use or for others, shall also be deemed an
infringer of the right of such trademark.
Article 69
Exclusion, prevention and damages of infringement; time limit to demand damages
A proprietor of a registered trademark is entitled to demand a person who infringes or is likely to
infringe the trademark right to stop or prevent such infringement.
When making a demand pursuant to Paragraph 1, the proprietor is entitled to demand for destruction
of infringing articles and the materials or implements used in infringing the trademark. However,
the court may order other dispositions as it considers necessary after taking into account the need
for proportionality between the seriousness of the infringement and the interests of third parties.
The proprietor is entitled to demand the infringer who knowingly, or with reasonable grounds to
know, infringed such trademark rights to pay the proprietor damages.
The rights to demand referred to in the preceding paragraph shall become extinguished if not
exercised within two years from the date on which the proprietor become aware of the damage and
the person liable for damages. This right shall also become extinguished if it is not exercised within
ten years from the time of infringement.
Article 70
Acts deemed infringement
Any of the following acts, without consent of the proprietor of a registered trademark, shall be
deemed infringement of the right of such trademark:
(1) knowingly using a trademark which is identical with or similar to another person’s well-known
registered trademark, and hence there exists a likelihood of dilution of the distinctiveness or
reputation of the said well-known trademark; or
(2) knowingly using words contained in another person’s well-known registered trademark as the
name of a company, business, group or domain or any other name that identifies a business entity,
and hence there exists a likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers or a likelihood of dilution of
the distinctiveness or reputation of the said well-known trademark.
Article 71
Calculation of damages
Damages demanded by the proprietor of a registered trademark may be calculated according to any
of the following:
(1) the method provided in Article 216 of the Civil Code; the proprietor is entitled to demand
damages based on the amount of the balance derived by subtracting the profit earned through using
the trademark after infringement from the profit normally expected through using the same
trademark, if no method of proof can be furnished to prove the damage suffered;
(2) the profit earned by the infringer as a result of trademark infringement; if no proof on costs or
necessary expenses can be furnished by the infringer, the total amount of income from selling the
infringing goods shall be presumed to be the amount of profit;
(3) the amount not more than 1,500 times of the unit retail price of the infringing goods; if over
1,500 pieces of infringing goods were found, the amount of damages shall be a lump sum of the
market value of the infringing goods; or
(4) the equivalent amount of royalty that may be collected from using the trademark under
licensing.
A court may, at its discretion, reduce the amount of damages referred to in the preceding paragraph
if such amount is apparently unequal.
Article 72
Application to Customs for detention
A proprietor of a registered trademark may file an application to Customs for detention of articles
that are suspected of infringing the rights in the trademark.
Any application referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be filed in writing, accompanied by a
statement of the facts of the infringement and a security in an amount equivalent to the duty-paid
price of the imported articles or the F.O.B. price of the exported articles, assessed by Customs, or
equivalent assurance.
Customs shall immediately give a notice to the applicant once the application for detention is
admitted; if suspected articles are detained because the application conforms to the preceding
paragraph, Customs shall give a notice to the applicant and the owner of detained articles in writing.
The owner of detained articles may request Customs to revoke the detention on provision of a
security equivalent to two times the security referred to in the Paragraph 2 or equivalent assurance
while following the procedures in accordance with applicable Customs Regulations on import and
export articles clearance.
Where the applicant is awarded a final judgment of the court stating that the detained articles have
infringed trademark rights, the owner of detained articles shall be liable for all relevant expenses
incurred as a result of the delay of containers, warehousing, loading, and unloading of the detained
articles.
Article 73
Revocation of detention
Customs shall revoke the detention if any of the following exists:
(1) within a period of twelve days after the applicant has been served notice of admission of the
application, Customs has not been informed that proceedings claiming that the detained articles are
infringing articles pursuant to Article 69 have been initiated by the applicant;
(2) a final ruling of the court which dismisses the litigation initiated by the applicant claiming that
the detained articles are infringing article;
(3) a final judgment of the court which holds that the detained articles do not infringe trademark
rights;
(4) the applicant requests for revocation of the detention; or
(5) the circumstance in accordance with Paragraph 4 of the preceding article.
The period as prescribed in Subparagraph 1 of the preceding paragraph may be extended by another
twelve days by Customs in appropriate cases.
If the detention is revoked pursuant to Paragraph 1, Customs shall follow the procedures in
accordance with applicable Customs Regulations on import and export articles clearance.
Where the detention is revoked pursuant to Subparagraphs 1 to 4 of Paragraph 1, the applicant shall
be liable for all relevant expenses incurred as a result of the delay of containers, warehousing,
loading, and unloading of the detained articles.
Article 74
Release of security
If a final judgment of the court holds that the detained articles do not infringe trademark rights, the
applicant shall compensate the owner of detained articles for injury caused to them through
wrongful detention of articles or provision of a security as prescribed in Paragraph 4 of Article 72.
The applicant shall enjoy the same right as a pledgee in relation to the security as prescribed in
Paragraph 4 of Article 72. The owner of detained articles shall enjoy the same right as a pledgee in
relation to the security as prescribed in Paragraph 2 of Article 72. However, all relevant expenses
incurred as a result of the delay of containers, warehousing, loading, and unloading of the detained
articles as prescribed in Paragraph 4 of the preceding article and Paragraph 5 of Article 72 shall be
paid prior to compensate the applicant or the owner of detained articles for injury.
Customs shall release the security as prescribed in Paragraph 2 of Article 72 upon request by the
applicant in any of the following:
(1) where the security is no longer required as the applicant has either obtained a final judgment in
his/her favor or reached a settlement with the owner of detained articles;
(2) where the applicant proves that the owner of detained articles has been notified but failed to
exercise his/her rights within twenty days or more after the detention is revoked on the grounds
prescribed in Subparagraphs 1 through 4 of Paragraph 1 of the preceding article and hence there is
injury caused to them through wrongful detention, or after such owner obtained a final judgment in
his/her favor; or
(3) where the owner of detained articles agrees to release the security.
Customs shall release the security as prescribed in Paragraph 4 of Article 72 upon request by the
owner of detained articles in any of the following:
(1) where the security is no longer required as either after the detention is revoked on the grounds
prescribed in Subparagraphs 1 through 4 of Paragraph 1 of the preceding article or such owner has
reached a settlement with the applicant;
(2) where such owner proves that the applicant has been notified but failed to exercise his/her rights
within twenty days or more after the applicant has obtained a final judgment in his/her favor; or
(3) where the applicant agrees to release the security.
Article 75
Suspension of release upon Customs’ own initiative
Where Customs acts upon its own initiative and finds that imported or exported articles in respect of
which it has acquired prima facie evidence that a trademark right is likely to be infringed, Customs
shall give a notice to the proprietor of the trademark and the importer/exporter.
In giving the notice referred to in the preceding paragraph, Customs shall specify a period for the
proprietor of the trademark to come to the customs to identify the infringement and furnish proof of
infringement, and Customs shall also specify a period for the importer/exporter to furnish proof of
non-infringement. However, the period may be extended once only at the request of the proprietor
of the trademark or the importer/exporter to Customs in writing, stating legitimate reasons for
failure to furnish proof.
If proof of infringement has been furnished by the proprietor of the trademark and proof of
non-infringement has not been furnished by the importer/exporter pursuant to the preceding
paragraph, Customs may suspend the release of such articles.
If proof of infringement has been furnished by the proprietor of the trademark and proof of
non-infringement has been furnished by the importer/exporter pursuant to Paragraph 2, Customs
shall give a notice to the proprietor that he/she may, within three working days after the notice is
given, file an application for detention pursuant to Paragraph 1 of Article 72.
If the proprietor did not file within the period prescribed in the preceding paragraph an application
for detention pursuant to Paragraph 1 of Article 72, Customs may release the articles after retaining
a representative sample.
Article 76
Provision of information of suspected articles upon request
Without prejudice to the protection of confidential information of detained articles, Customs may
allow the inspection of detained articles upon request by the applicant or the owner of detained
articles referred to in Article 72 or the proprietor of the trademark or importer/exporter referred to in
the preceding article.
After Customs detained suspected articles pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Article 72 or suspended the
release of such articles pursuant to Paragraph 3 of the preceding article, Customs shall inform the
proprietor of the trademark, at his/her request, of the names and addresses of the import/exporter,
the consignor/consignee, and the quantity of the suspected articles.
Proprietors of trademarks are permitted to use the data obtained on the basis of preceding paragraph
solely for the purpose of investigating and bringing legal actions concerning alleged infringements
of their trademark rights without disclosing such data to any third party.
Article 77
Request to Customs on taking samples of suspected articles
When identifying the infringement pursuant to Paragraph 2 of Article 75, the proprietor of the
trademark may request Customs to take samples of suspected articles and hand them over or send
them to such proprietor for identification by providing a security in an amount equivalent to 120
percent of the duty-paid price of the imported articles and relevant duties and taxes or the F.O.B.
price of the exported articles and relevant duties and taxes, assessed by Customs, provided that it is
necessary to take samples for identification, as well as such proprietor has undertaken in writing not
to infringe the legitimate interests of the importer/exporter and not to use the samples for
unjustifiable purposes.
The amount of the security referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not be less than NT$3,000.
If such proprietor does not return the requested samples within the period for furnishing proof of
infringement prescribed in Paragraph 2 of Article 75, or if the samples returned are not the same as
the original ones or are defective, Customs shall hold the security to compensate the
importer/exporter for injury caused to them.
The importer/exporter of samples of articles shall enjoy the same right as a pledgee in relation to the
security held as prescribed in preceding paragraph.
Article 78
Regulations prescribed by Customs
The regulations governing the application for detention, revocation of a detention, payment,
provision and release procedures for a security or assurance, required documents and other matters
to be followed as prescribed in Articles 72 to 74 shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority
coordinating with the Ministry of Finance.
The regulations governing the procedures, the required documents, and other related matters as to
Customs’ implementing measures for protecting rights of trademarks, the proprietor’s request for
inspection of detained articles, for related data of the infringing articles and for samples of
suspected articles as prescribed in Articles 75 to 77 shall be prescribed by the Ministry of Finance.
Article 79
Formation of specialized tribunal
A court may form specialized tribunal(s) or assign specific staff members to take charge of
trademark litigation cases.
Chapter III Certification Mark, Collective Mark and Collective Trademark
Article 80
Definitions of certification mark and geographical certification mark
A certification mark is a sign that serves to certify a particular quality, accuracy, material, mode of
manufacture, place of origin or other matters of another person’s goods or services by the proprietor
of the certification mark and distinguish the goods or services from those that are not certified.
Where the certification mark referred to in the preceding paragraph serves to certify a place of
origin, the goods or services from that geographical region shall have a given quality, reputation or
other characteristic. An applicant may file an application for registration of a sign which contains
such geographical name or is capable of indicating such geographical region as a geographical
certification mark.
The Competent Authority shall coordinate with the central government authorities in charge of end
enterprises in order to provide guidance and grants to industries that are in difficulties, industries
that are on the verge of being in difficulties and traditional industries, to help them raise their
productivity and the quality of their products; and to help them establish industry-specific
certification marks to certify their products as made in Taiwan.
The regulations governing the identification, provision of guidance, objects and standards and
duration of provision of grants, and other matters to be followed shall be prescribed by the
Competent Authority in consultation with each central government authority in charge of end
enterprises. If necessary, fees charged in connection with the certification mark may be waived.
Article 81
Applicant of certification mark
Only a juridical person, a group or a government agency which is competent to certify another
person’s goods or services shall be eligible to be an applicant of an application for registration of a
certification mark.
An applicant referred to in the preceding paragraph who carries on a business of goods or services
of the kind certified shall not file an application for registration of a certification mark.
Article 82
Requirements of application for registration of certification mark
An applicant of an application for registration of a certification mark shall file documents of proof
of its competence to certify another person’s goods or services, regulations governing the use of the
certification mark, and a declaration that it does not carry on a business involving manufacture and
marketing of goods or provision of services of the kind certified.
If there is any doubt about the representativeness of the applicant of an application for registration
of a geographical certification mark, the Registrar Office may consult and seek advice from the
central government authorities in charge of business related to such goods or services.
A foreign juridical person, group or government agency, who files an application for registration of
a geographical certification mark, shall file documents of proof of such geographical certification
mark being protected in the name and country of origin of such applicant.
The regulations governing the use of the certification mark referred to in Paragraph 1 shall specify
the following:
(1) the characteristics to be certified by the certification mark;
(2) the conditions on the use of the certification mark;
(3) the methods of managing and supervising the use of the certification mark; and
(4) the procedures for applying to use the certification mark and resolving disputes thereof.
The Registrar Office shall publish the registration of the certification mark along with regulations
governing the use of such mark; any amendment of such regulations after registration is not
effective unless the amended regulations are accepted and published by the Registrar Office.
Article 83
Use of certification mark
“Use of a certification mark” means the use of such mark by any person who is allowed by the
proprietor of such mark in accordance with the conditions prescribed in the regulations governing
the use of such mark.
Article 84
Special provisions for geographical certification mark
Subparagraph 1 of Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 3 of Article 29 shall not apply to the geographical
name in a geographical certification mark.
A registered geographical certification mark shall not entitle the proprietor to prohibit a third party
from indicating place of origin in relation to his/her own goods or services, in accordance with
honest practices in industrial or commercial matters.
Article 85
Definition of collective mark
A collective mark is a sign that serves to identify the membership of members in an association,
society or any other group which is a juridical person and distinguish such members from those who
are not members.
Article 86
Requirements of application for registration of collective mark
An application for registration of a collective mark shall be made to the Registrar Office by
submitting an application containing relevant matters and filing the regulations governing the use of
the collective mark.
The regulations governing the use of the collective mark referred to in Paragraph 1 shall specify the
following:
(1) the qualifications of the members,
(2) the conditions on the use of the collective mark;
(3) the methods of managing and supervising the use of the collective mark; and
(4) the provisions against any violation of the regulations.
Article 87
Use of collective mark
“Use of a collective mark” means the use of such mark by any member to identify his/her
membership in a group in accordance with the conditions prescribed in the regulations governing
the use of such mark.
Article 88
Definition of collective trademark and geographical collective trademark
A collective trademark is a sign that serves to indicate goods or services of a member in an
association, society or any other group which is a juridical person and distinguish goods or services
of such member from those of others who are not members.
Where the collective trademark referred to in the preceding paragraph serves to indicate a specific
place of origin of goods or services of a member, such goods or services from that geographical
region shall have a given quality, reputation or other characteristic. An applicant may file an
application for registration of a sign which contains such geographical name or is capable of
indicating such geographical region as a geographical collective trademark.
Article 89
Requirements of application for registration of collective trademark
An application for registration of a collective trademark shall be made to the Registrar Office by
submitting an application designating goods or services and filing the regulations governing the use
of the collective trademark.
The regulations governing the use of the collective trademark referred to in Paragraph 1 shall
specify the following:
(1) the qualifications of the members,
(2) the conditions on the use of the collective trademark;
(3) the methods of managing and supervising the use of the collective trademark; and
(4) the provisions against any violation of the regulations.
In addition to the matters which shall be specified referred to in the preceding paragraph, the
regulations governing the use of the geographical collective trademark shall also specify that any
person from the corresponding geographical region whose goods or services and qualifications
comply with the conditions contained in such regulations may be allowed to become a member of
the group by the proprietor of the geographical collective trademark.
The Registrar Office shall publish the registration of the collective trademark along with regulations
governing the use of such mark; any amendment of such regulations after registration is not
effective unless the amended regulations are accepted and published by the Registrar Office.
Article 90
Use of collective trademark
“Use of a collective trademark” means the use of such mark by the group or any of its members in
accordance with the conditions prescribed in the regulations governing the use of such mark.
Article 91
Provisions applied mutatis mutandis to geographical collective trademark
Paragraph 2 and Paragraph 3 of Article 82 and Article 84 shall apply mutatis mutandis to
geographical collective trademarks.
Article 92
Limitation of transfer, license and pledge
The right of a certification mark, collective mark or collective trademark shall not be transferred,
licensed, or be the subject of a pledge, unless such transfer or license is unlikely to damage the
interests of consumers or contravene fair competition and has been accepted by the Registrar Office.
Article 93
Special provisions for grounds for revocation
The Registrar Office may, upon an application by any person or ex officio, revoke the registration of
a certification mark, collective mark or collective trademark if:
(1) the certification mark is used by the proprietor of such mark as a trademark;
(2) the proprietor of the certification mark carries on a business of goods or services of the kind
certified;
(3) the proprietor of the certification mark is no longer competent to certify another person’s goods
or services to which the registration certification mark is designated;
(4) the proprietor of the certification mark discriminates against those who apply for certification;
(5) the proprietor of such trademark or mark transfers, licenses, or creates a pledge which falls
under the preceding article;
(6) the proprietor of such trademark or mark does not manage or supervise the use pursuant to the
regulations governing the use; or
(7) the proprietor of such trademark or mark uses such trademark or mark improperly that is likely
to cause damage to others or the public.
The revocation shall also apply in the case where the proprietor of the registered certification mark,
collective mark or collective trademark who, knowingly or with reasonable grounds to know, shows
no objection to the conduct as prescribed in the preceding paragraph by a licensee.
Article 94
Provisions applied mutatis mutandis to certification mark, collective mark and collective trademark
Unless otherwise prescribed in this Chapter, the provisions of this Act in relation to a trademark
shall apply mutatis mutandis to a certification mark, collective mark or collective trademark.
Chapter IV Penal Provisions
Article 95
Penalty for trademark or collective trademark infringement
Any person who commits any of the following acts, without the consent of the proprietor of a
registered trademark or collective trademark, shall be liable to imprisonment for a period not
exceeding three years and/or a fine not exceeding NT$200,000:
(1) using a trademark which is identical with the registered trademark or collective trademark in
relation to goods or services which are identical with those for which it is registered;
(2) using a trademark which is identical with the registered trademark or collective trademark and
used in relation to goods or services similar to those for which the registered trademark or collective
trademark is designated, and hence there exists a likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers; or
(3) using a trademark which is similar to the registered trademark or collective trademark and used
in relation to goods or services identical with or similar to those for which the registered trademark
or collective trademark is designated, and hence there exists a likelihood of confusion on relevant
consumers.
Any person who, without the consent of the proprietor of a registered trademark or collective
trademark, manufactures, sells, possesses, displays, exports, or imports labels, packaging, containers,
or other services-related articles that bear a sign identical with or similar to another person’s
registered trademark or collective trademark in the course of trade for their own use or for others,
shall be liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding
NT$50,000.
Penalties referred to in the preceding paragraph shall also apply to acts performed through
electronic media or on the Internet.
Article 96
Penalty for certification mark infringement
Any person who, without the consent of the proprietor of a registered certification mark, uses a
mark which is identical with or similar to the registered certification mark and used in relation to
goods or services identical with or similar to those for which the registered certification mark is
designated, and hence is likely to mislead relevant consumers shall be liable to imprisonment for a
period not exceeding three years and/or a fine not exceeding NT$200,000.
Any person who, without the consent of the proprietor of a registered certification mark,
manufactures, sells, possesses, displays, exports, or imports labels, packaging, containers, or other
service-related articles that bears a sign identical or similar to another person’s registered
certification mark in the course of trade for their own use or for others, shall be liable to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years and/or a fine not exceeding NT$200,000.
Penalties referred to in the preceding paragraph shall also apply to acts performed through
electronic media or on the Internet.
Article 97
Penalty for sale or intent of sale of infringing article
Any person who sells or, due to an intent to sell, possesses, displays, exports, or imports another
person’s goods referred to in Paragraph 1 of the preceding two articles shall be liable to
imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding NT$50,000.
Penalties referred to in the preceding paragraph shall also apply to acts performed through
electronic media or on the Internet.
Article 98
All articles or documents that constitute infringement of rights in trademark, certification mark, or
collective trademark shall be confiscated, regardless of whether such articles or documents belong
to the offender.
Article 99
Right to sue of group other than juridical person
An unrecognized foreign juridical person or group may file a complaint, initiate a private
prosecution, or institute a civil suit in respect of matters governed by this Act. Same rights shall also
be entitled by a domestic group which is not a juridical person and has acquired rights to a
certification mark.
Chapter V Supplementary Provisions
Article 100
Transitional provision for service mark
A service mark which was already registered prior to the enforcement of the articles of this Act
amended on April 29, 2003 shall be deemed a trademark from the date of enforcement.
Article 101
Transitional provision for abolishment of associated registration system
An associated trademark, associated service mark, associated collective mark or associated
certification mark which was already registered prior to the enforcement of the articles of this Act
amended on April 29, 2003 shall be deemed an independent registered trademark or mark from the
date of enforcement; the period of right in such trademark or mark shall be the same as which
originally granted.
Article 102
Transitional provision for abolishment of defensive registration system
With respect to a defensive trademark, defensive service mark, defensive collective mark or
defensive certification mark which is already registered before the enforcement of the articles of this
Act amended on April 29, 2003, the provisions in effect at the time of publication of registration of
the said trademark or mark shall govern; rights of such trademark or mark shall be extinguished
unless the proprietor of such trademark or mark applies for changing such trademark or mark into
an independent one.
Article 103
Special provision for three-year period of non-use
With respect to the trademark or mark which has been changed into an independent one pursuant to
the preceding article, the three-year period as prescribed in Subparagraph 2 of Paragraph 1 of
Article 63 shall commence from the date of change.
Article 104
Trademark fees
Any person who files an application for registration, renewal, entry of change, opposition,
invalidation, revocation and any other proceedings under this Act shall pay the required fees of
filing, registration, renewal, entry of change, opposition, invalidation and revocation.
Standards of Trademark Fees referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be prescribed by the
Competent Authority.
Article 105
Transitional provision for abolishment of paying registration fees by two installments
For those who chose to pay registration fees by two installments and already paid the first
installment prior to the enforcement of the articles of this Act amended on May 31, 2011, the second
installment shall be paid pursuant to the provisions in effect before the amendment.
Article 106
Transitional provisions for opposition and invalidation
Registration of a trademark, against which an application for opposition or invalidation had been
admitted but the disposition thereof had not been rendered prior to the enforcement of the articles of
this Act amended on May 31, 2011, shall be cancelled only if such registration falls under the
provisions of cancellation in effect both at the time of registration and after the enforcement of the
amendment to this Act; the proceedings thereof shall follow the provisions in effect after the said
enforcement. However, proceedings which had legally commenced prior to the said enforcement
shall not be affected.
Paragraph 2 and 3 of Article 57 shall not apply to an application for invalidation which had been
admitted but the disposition thereof had not been rendered prior to the enforcement of the articles of
this Act amended on May 31, 2011.
A trademark, certification mark, or collective mark, which was registered prior to the enforcement
of the articles of this Act amended on May 31, 2011 and against which an application for opposition
or invalidation was filed or submitted in a proposal after the said enforcement, shall be cancelled
only if such trademark or mark falls under provisions of cancellation in effect both at the time of
registration and after the said enforcement.
Article 107
Transitional provisions for revocation
An application for revocation, of which the disposition had not been rendered prior to the
enforcement of the articles of this Act amended on May 31, 2011, shall be processed pursuant to the
provisions in effect after the said enforcement. However, proceedings that had legally commenced
prior to the sais enforcement shall not be affected.
Paragraph 2 of Article 57 applicable mutatis mutandis to Paragraph 2 of Article 67 shall not apply to
an application for revocation which had been admitted but the disposition thereof had not been
rendered prior to the enforcement of the articles of this Act amended on May 31, 2011.
Article 108
Special provision for date of filing
In an application filed prior to the enforcement of the articles of this Act amended on May 31, 2011
to register a motion, hologram, or any combination thereof as a trademark, the date of the said
enforcement shall be deemed the filing date of such application.
Article 109
Special provisions for date of priority
In an application filed to register a motion, hologram, or any combination thereof as a trademark
with a priority claim, if the date of filing of the first such application in a country which has
reciprocal recognition of priority rights with the ROC or with a member of the WTO was prior to
the enforcement of the articles of this Act amended on May 31, 2011, the date of the said
enforcement shall be deemed the priority date of such application.
In an application filed with a claim of exhibition priority, if the date of the first display of goods or
services under the trademark applied for, at an international exhibition which was held or officially
recognized by the Government of the ROC, was prior to the enforcement of the articles of this Act
amended on May 31, 2011, the date of the said enforcement shall be deemed the date of exhibition
priority of such application.
Article 110
Enforcement Rules
The Enforcement Rules of this Act shall be prescribed by the competent authority.
Article 111
Date of enforcement
The date of enforcement of this Act shall be decided by the Executive Yuan. |