Marks are signs that are capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one person from those of other persons and can be represented graphically. Such signs may be words, including persons’ names, or letters, numerals, drawings, figures, a product’s shape or packaging, a combination of colours, sound signals, or any combination of such elements.
The rights in a mark are acquired by registration effective as of the application date.
The first to file has the right to register.
The right to a mark is an exclusive right. It covers the right of its holder to use the mark and to dispose of it, and to prevent third parties from using it in commercial (business) activities without the holder’s consent. Marks are registered for a period of ten years following the date of application. Registration may be renewed for an unlimited number of consecutive ten-year periods.
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