Trade Marks Act · 2022 Revised Edition · Part 1
48. Grounds for invalidity of registration
Official textFrom Attorney General's Chambers, unchanged
The registration of a trade mark may be declared invalid on the ground that the trade mark was registered in breach of section 6 or of any of the provisions referred to in that section. Where the trade mark was registered in breach of subsection (1)(b), (c) or (d) of that section, it shall not be declared invalid if, in consequence of the use that has been made of it, it has after registration acquired a distinctive character in relation to the goods or services for which it is registered.
registration
“registration” means, unless the context otherwise requires, registration in the register;
The registration of a trade mark may be declared invalid on the ground —
that there is an earlier trade mark in relation to which the conditions set out in section 8(1), (2) or (3) apply; or
that there is an earlier right in relation to which the condition set out in section 8(4) is satisfied, unless the proprietor of that earlier trade mark or other earlier right has consented to the registration.
An application for a declaration of invalidity may be made by any person, and may be made either to the Registrar or to the court, except that —
Registrar
“Registrar” means the Registrar of Trade Marks appointed under section 3;
if proceedings concerning the trade mark are pending in the court, the application must be made to the court; and
Trade Marks
if in any other case the application is made to the Registrar, he may at any stage of the proceedings refer the application to the court.
In the case of bad faith in the registration of a trade mark, the
Registrar may apply to the court for a declaration of the invalidity of the registration.
Where the grounds of invalidity exist in respect of only some of the goods or services for which the trade mark is registered, the trade mark shall be declared invalid as regards only those goods or services.
Where the registration of a trade mark is declared invalid to any extent, the registration shall to that extent be deemed never to have been made:
Provided that this does not affect transactions past and closed.
Terms defined in s 2
earlier right
Defined · s 2“earlier right”, in relation to a trade mark, means the right of the proprietor under section 8(4)(b) to prevent the use of that mark;
earlier trade mark
Defined · s 2“earlier trade mark” has the same meaning as in section 9(1);
Registrar
Defined · s 2“Registrar” means the Registrar of Trade Marks appointed under section 3;
registration
Defined · s 2“registration” means, unless the context otherwise requires, registration in the register;
Part 2
Part 3
Part
Proceedings Relating to Importation of Infringing Goods
Part