Administrative Procedure of Trademark Enforcement in Pakistan: A Comparative Analysis with Malaysia and USA

Abstract

Trademark is one of the component of Intellectual Property (IP). It is a mark, name, sign, smell or a sound which distinguishes goods and services of one undertaking from goods and services of other undertakings. It is required to be distinctive and non-descriptive. It losses its distinctiveness when registered owner of trademark does not take prompt action against its infringement. Trademark enforcement procedures including administrative procedure must be expedient, adequate, fair, equitable, and must not be complicated, costly and time consuming. Administrative procedure starts when application for trademark registration is opposed by the registered trademark owner before the concerned administrative authority. Trademark registration authorities are: (i) Trademark Registry under Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) in Pakistan, (ii) Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) in Malaysia, and (iii) United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in United States of America (USA). The registered owner of trademark may apply before the concerned administrative authority against the registration of identical trademark by adopting administrative procedure of trademark enforcement. This study is qualitative method of research a comparative analysis of administrative procedure of trademark enforcement in Pakistan, Malaysia and USA. After a comparative analysis of administrative procedure of trademark enforcement in Pakistan, Malaysia and USA, it is found that there are only three IP Tribunals in Pakistan and there is a need of more IP Tribunals which is required to give its decision within 90 days resultantly saves time and money of the people. It is also found that there is Trademark Trial and Appeal Board at USPTO, where appeal against decision of the Registrar may be filed by the aggrieved party thus a similar kind of body is required to be established at Trademark Registry in Pakistan. Furthermore, IP experts should be hired at IP Tribunal and at Trademark Registry for smooth implementation of administrative procedure of trademark enforcement in Pakistan.