ASWAL ASSOCIATES- Intellectual Property Law firm India

The Intellectual Property Rights (Imported Goods) Enforcements Rules 2007 allows registration of notice for suspension of clearance of infringing goods by Indian custom authorities, but rarely this notice is registered by Registered Proprietor/ Owners of Intellectual property rights (Right Holder). Registration of notice allows the IP owner protection against import of infringed goods especially in case of Copyrights, Trademarks and Designs. Though Patents are also covered but they involve more technicality and expertise as compared to other IP rights. The period of protection is minimum one year unless any shorter period is demanded by the right holder. The notice is to be filed along with certified copy of the IP right, Annexure containing details of Right Holder's rights as well as grounds for registration of notice and prescribed fee of INR 2000. An indemnity bond along with surety bond is to be supplied along with the request. Where such request is filed through an Att...

Where the Indian Trademark Registry has any objection to the Trademark, a  provisional refusal report is issued by IRDI Section and forwarded to WIPO and then WIPO notifies the Right Holder. The registry normally issues the notice of provisional refusal to WIPO within a week of issuance of same and within 15 days of receipt WIPO dispatches the notice to right holder vide registered mail or post. The deadline to respond to provisional refusal is one month from the date of receipt of notice of provisional refusal by the Holder or his legal representative. The response to provisional refusal is required to be filed through an Agent (either a Trademark Agent or an Advocate) or through a representative, having address within territory of India. A response to provisional refusal or request for reconsideration of provisional refusal, evidence in support of prior use of Trademark in India by way of Owner's Affidavit, or limiting the scope of protection or a request for hearing ca...