A new trade mark law is coming to Bermuda. In this article we discuss some of the more important provisions of the Trade Marks Act 2023 (‘the new law’).
Since publishing this update, The Office of the Registry General has issued an Industry Notice advising that the commencement date of the Trade Marks Act 2023 will be 1 April 2025 (and not 1 January 2025 as originally projected).
The effective date
The new law, which will replace the Trade Marks Act 1974, will come into effect on 1 April 2025.
Changes brought about by the new law
The changes that will be brought about are significant. Here are some examples:
Types of marks available
The new law makes provision for:
- service marks;
- non-traditional marks, such as sounds and colours;
- certification marks;
- collective marks.
Grounds for refusal
Applications can be refused on both absolute grounds, such as non-distinctiveness (Article 5), and relative grounds, such as confusing similarity to an earlier registration (Article 7).
There will be no re-examination of applications that were examined prior to the new trade mark legislation.
The rights conferred by a registration
These are set out in Article 13. Closely related provisions are those relating to:
- Infringement (Article 14);
- Limitations, for example, use of one’s own name (Article 16);
- Exhaustion of rights (Article 18);
- Disclaimers (Article 19);
- Threats of infringement procedures (Article 26).
No more associations
The new law does away with the requirement for certain marks to be associated – for those unfamiliar with the concept of association, this is typically called for where there are identical or similar marks owned by the same proprietor in identical or similar classes.
A single register
Bermuda has always had a two-part register, one that allows for Part A and Part B registrations, with Part B being reserved for marks that have limited distinctiveness and are granted lesser infringement rights.
The new law replaces the two-part register with a single register. All existing registrations will be moved to this new single register.
Use / intention to use
The new law requires an applicant to state that the mark is being used in relation to the claimed goods or services, alternatively that it has a bona fide intention to use the mark.
Disclaimers
An applicant may have the option to voluntarily disclaim elements of their trade mark, and thereby potentially avoid the issuance of an office action.
Security interests
The new law makes provision for security interests to be registered against trade mark registrations.
Term
The term of a registration will be 10 years, as will renewal terms – previously the registration term was seven years, followed by renewal terms of 14 years.
Revocation for non-use
This is possible, with the term being five years.
UK marks and priority
There is no longer a right to re-register a UK trade mark in Bermuda. Priority can, however, be claimed under the Paris Convention.
International marks
The new law makes provision for the designation of Bermuda as a contracting party to an International trade mark registration via WIPO. There is, however, no indication in the new law as to when Bermuda is likely to accede to the Madrid Protocol.
The latest notification is that ‘certain aspects related to international treaties will not be immediately operational as Bermuda must satisfy additional requirements and complete the requisite process to enable extension of the international treaties.’
Enforcement
The new law creates stronger enforcement measures to deal with trade mark infringement and counterfeiting – these measures comprise significant penalties for infringers, and they allow trade mark owners to seek substantial damages and injunctions.
Well-known marks
There is specific provision for well-known marks.
Offences for unauthorised use of trade marks
These are set out in Article 86.
Transitional provisions
Applications filed prior to the effective date of the new law, 31 December 2024, will be dealt with under the current law. Applications filed on or after the effective date will be processed under the new law.
In summary
The updating of Bermuda’s trade mark legislation is long overdue; it creates a more robust registration process, broadens the categories of protection, and offers a more effective means of dealing with infringement. Trade mark owners will, no doubt, be very pleased by this development.
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