Starting from June 28th, the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department Registry will begin issuing electronic versions (replacing paper versions) of certificates to trademark, patent, and design applicants or agents who are registered electronic submission service users.
Starting from June 28, 2024, the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department’s Trademark Registry, Patent Registry, and Design Registry (collectively referred to as the “Registry”) will begin issuing electronic versions (replacing paper versions) of certificates to trademark, patent, and design applicants or agents who are registered electronic submission service users.
1、 This preset arrangement covers applications published on or after the following deadlines:
Trademark applications published on or after March 15, 2024;
Patent applications granted on or after June 28, 2024; reach
Design applications published on or after June 28, 2024
2、 In some cases, registered electronic submission service users may choose to opt out of the above preset arrangements and instead receive paper certificates. If so, they must submit a written request to the registration office in advance within the following notice period:
For trademark applications: within six weeks from the date of issuance of the “Notice of Acceptance of Registration”;
For patent applications: within two weeks from the date of issuance of the “Notice of Grant of Patent”; reach
For design applications: within two weeks from the date of issuance of the “Notice of Acceptance of Design Application”.
3、 Individuals who are not registered electronic submission service users, namely unregistered one-time electronic submitters and those who use paper submission methods, will continue to receive paper certificates. The Intellectual Property Department encourages them to become registered electronic submission service users to benefit from the new service.
Important Note
1. The prerequisite for issuing electronic certificates is to submit the application electronically.
2. During the transition period, if a registered electronic submission service user chooses not to receive an electronic version certificate of a trademark application published/planned to be published between March 15, 2024 and May 31, 2024, they must notify the registry as soon as possible and in any case no later than the expiration date of the 3-month opposition period.
*Official website link: https://www.ipd.gov.hk/sc/home/whats-new/index_id_547.html (Click on [Read Original Text] to view)
