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Version Superseded: 26/11/2021
Point in time view as at 31/12/2020.
Trade Marks Act 1994, Part IV is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 30 August 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
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(1)A person shall not without the authority of Her Majesty use in connection with any business the Royal arms (or arms so closely resembling the Royal arms as to be calculated to deceive) in such manner as to be calculated to lead to the belief that he is duly authorised to use the Royal arms.
(2)A person shall not without the authority of Her Majesty or of a member of the Royal family use in connection with any business any device, emblem or title in such a manner as to be calculated to lead to the belief that he is employed by, or supplies goods or services to, Her Majesty or that member of the Royal family.
(3)A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.
(4)Contravention of subsection (1) or (2) may be restrained by injunction in proceedings brought by—
(a)any person who is authorised to use the arms, device, emblem or title in question, or
(b)any person authorised by the Lord Chamberlain to take such proceedings.
(5)Nothing in this section affects any right of the proprietor of a trade mark containing any such arms, device, emblem or title to use that trade mark.
(1)Subsection (2) applies if the reproduction of a trade mark in a dictionary, encyclopaedia or similar reference work, in print or electronic form, gives the impression that it constitutes the generic name of the goods or services for which the trade mark is registered.
(2)The publisher of the work must, at the request in writing of the proprietor of the trade mark, ensure that the reproduction of the trade mark is accompanied by an indication that it is a registered trade mark.
(3)The action required by subsection (2) must be taken—
(a)without delay, and
(b)in the case of works in printed form, at the latest in the next edition of the publication.
(4)If the publisher fails to take any action required by subsection (2) the court may, on an application by the proprietor—
(a)order the publisher to take the action concerned;
(b)if the work is in printed form, order the publisher to erase or amend the reproduction of the trade mark or secure the destruction of copies of the work in the publisher’s possession, custody or control; or
(c)grant such other order as the court in the circumstances considers appropriate.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 99A inserted (14.1.2019) by The Trade Marks Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/825), regs. 1(1), 31 (with Pt. 5)
If in any civil proceedings under this Act a question arises as to the use to which a registered trade mark has been put, it is for the proprietor to show what use has been made of it.
(1)Proceedings for an offence under this Act alleged to have been committed by a partnership shall be brought against the partnership in the name of the firm and not in that of the partners; but without prejudice to any liability of the partners under subsection (4) below.
(2)The following provisions apply for the purposes of such proceedings as in relation to a body corporate—
(a)any rules of court relating to the service of documents;
(b)in England and Wales or Northern Ireland, Schedule 3 to the M1Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 or Schedule 4 to the M2Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (procedure on charge of offence).
(3)A fine imposed on a partnership on its conviction in such proceedings shall be paid out of the partnership assets.
(4)Where a partnership is guilty of an offence under this Act, every partner, other than a partner who is proved to have been ignorant of or to have attempted to prevent the commission of the offence, is also guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
(5)Where an offence under this Act committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body, or a person purporting to act in any such capacity, he as well as the body corporate is guilty of the offence and liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 101 applied (20.9.1995) by 1995 c. 32, s. 10; S.I. 1995/2472, art. 2
Marginal Citations
In the application of this Act to Scotland—
“account of profits” means accounting and payment of profits;
“accounts” means count, reckoning and payment;
“assignment” means assignation;
“costs” means expenses;
“declaration” means declarator;
“defendant” means defender;
“delivery up” means delivery;
“injunction” means interdict;
“interlocutory relief” means interim remedy; and
“plaintiff” means pursuer.
(1)In this Act—
“business” includes a trade or profession;
“director”, in relation to a body corporate whose affairs are managed by its members, means any member of the body;
“infringement proceedings”, in relation to a registered trade mark, includes proceedings under section 16 (order for delivery up of infringing goods, &c.);
“publish” means make available to the public, and references to publication—
in relation to an application for registration, are to publication under section 38(1), and
in relation to registration, are to publication under section 40(4);
“statutory provisions” includes provisions of subordinate legislation within the meaning of the M3Interpretation Act 1978;
“trade” includes any business or profession.
(2)References in this Act to use (or any particular description of use) of a trade mark, or of a sign identical with, similar to, or likely to be mistaken for a trade mark, include use (or that description of use) otherwise than by means of a graphic representation.
F2(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F2S. 103(3) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Trade Marks (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/269), reg. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 13 (with Sch. 5 para. 7(1)(1A), 8) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1637, regs. 1(6), 3, S.I. 2020/1661, regs. 1(2)(b), 12, 16(2) and (26.11.2021) by S.I. 2021/1235, regs. 3, 4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Marginal Citations
In this Act the expressions listed below are defined by or otherwise fall to be construed in accordance with the provisions indicated—
account of profits and accounts (in Scotland) | section 102 |
appointed person (for purposes of section 76) | section 77 |
assignment (in Scotland) | section 102 |
business | section 103(1) |
certification mark | section 50(1) |
collective mark | section 49(1) |
commencement (of this Act) | section 109(2) |
[F3comparable trade mark (EU) | Schedule 2A, paragraph 1(2)] |
F4. . . | F4. . . |
F5. . . | F5. . . |
[F6comparable trade mark (IR) | Schedule 2B, paragraph 1(4)] |
Convention country | section 55(1)(b) |
costs (in Scotland) | section 102 |
the court | section 75 |
date of application | section 33(2) |
[F7date of application (comparable trade mark (EU)) | Schedule 2A, paragraph 1(8)(b)] |
[F8date of application (comparable trade mark (IR)) | Schedule 2B, paragraph 1(10)(b)] |
date of filing | section 33(1) |
[F9date of filing (comparable trade mark (EU)) | Schedule 2A, paragraph 1(8)(a)] |
[F10date of filing (comparable trade mark (IR)) | Schedule 2B, paragraph 1(10)(a)] |
date of registration | section 40(3) |
[F11date of registration (comparable trade mark (EU)) | Schedule 2A, paragraph 1(4)] |
[F12date of registration (comparable trade mark (IR)) | Schedule 2B, paragraph 1(6)] |
defendant (in Scotland) | section 102 |
delivery up (in Scotland) | section 102 |
director | section 103(1) |
earlier right | section 5(4) |
earlier trade mark | section 6 |
[F13European Customs Enforcement Regulation | section 10A] |
[F14European Union trade mark] | [F14section 51] |
[F15European Union Trade Mark Regulation] | [F15section 51] |
exclusive licence and licensee | section 29(1) |
infringement (of registered trade mark) | sections 9(1) and (2) and 10 |
infringement proceedings | section 103(1) |
infringing articles | section 17 |
infringing goods | section 17 |
infringing material | section 17 |
injunction (in Scotland) | section 102 |
interlocutory relief (in Scotland) | section 102 |
the International Bureau | section 53 |
F16. . . | F16. . . |
international trade mark (UK) | section 53 |
Madrid Protocol | section 53 |
Paris Convention | section 55(1)(a) |
plaintiff (in Scotland) | section 102 |
prescribed | section 78(1)(b) |
protected under the Paris Convention | |
—well-known trade marks | section 56(1) |
—state emblems and official signs or hallmarks | section 57(1) |
—emblems, &c. of international organisations | section 58(2) |
publish and references to publication | section 103(1) |
register, registered (and related expressions) | section 63(1) |
registered trade mark [F17attorney ] | section 83[F18(2)] |
registrable transaction | section 25(2) |
the registrar | section 62 |
rules | section 78 |
statutory provisions | section 103(1) |
trade | section 103(1) |
trade mark | |
—generally | section 1(1) |
—includes collective mark or certification mark | section 1(2) |
United Kingdom (references include Isle of Man) | section 108(2) |
use (of trade mark or sign) | section 103(2) |
well-known trade mark (under Paris Convention) | section 56(1) |
Textual Amendments
F3Words in s. 104 table inserted (31.12.2020) by The Trade Marks (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/269), reg. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 14(2) (with Sch. 5 para. 7(1)(1A), 8) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1637, regs. 1(6), 3, S.I. 2020/1661, regs. 1(2)(b), 12, 16(2) and (26.11.2021) by S.I. 2021/1235, regs. 3, 4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F4Words in s. 104 omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of The European Union Trade Mark Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/299), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 3(a) (with reg. 13)
F5Words in s. 104 omitted (6.4.2016) by virtue of The European Union Trade Mark Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/299), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 3(b) (with reg. 13)
F6Words in s. 104 table inserted (31.12.2020) by The Designs and International Trade Marks (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/638), reg. 1, Sch. 8 para. 19(2) (with reg. 10(2), 10A) (as amended (26.11.2021) by S.I. 2021/1235, regs. 6, 7); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F7Words in s. 104 table inserted (31.12.2020) by The Trade Marks (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/269), reg. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 14(3) (with Sch. 5 para. 7(1)(1A), 8) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1637, regs. 1(6), 3, S.I. 2020/1661, regs. 1(2)(b), 12, 16(2) and (26.11.2021) by S.I. 2021/1235, regs. 3, 4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F8Words in s. 104 table inserted (31.12.2020) by The Designs and International Trade Marks (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/638), reg. 1, Sch. 8 para. 19(3) (with reg. 10(2), 10A) (as amended (26.11.2021) by S.I. 2021/1235, regs. 6, 7); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F9Words in s. 104 table inserted (31.12.2020) by The Trade Marks (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/269), reg. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 14(4) (with Sch. 5 para. 7(1)(1A), 8) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1637, regs. 1(6), 3, S.I. 2020/1661, regs. 1(2)(b), 12, 16(2) and (26.11.2021) by S.I. 2021/1235, regs. 3, 4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F10Words in s. 104 table inserted (31.12.2020) by The Designs and International Trade Marks (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/638), reg. 1, Sch. 8 para. 19(4) (with reg. 10(2), 10A) (as amended (26.11.2021) by S.I. 2021/1235, regs. 6, 7); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F11Words in s. 104 table inserted (31.12.2020) by The Trade Marks (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/269), reg. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 14(5) (with Sch. 5 para. 7(1)(1A), 8) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1637, regs. 1(6), 3, S.I. 2020/1661, regs. 1(2)(b), 12, 16(2) and (26.11.2021) by S.I. 2021/1235, regs. 3, 4); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F12Words in s. 104 table inserted (31.12.2020) by The Designs and International Trade Marks (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/638), reg. 1, Sch. 8 para. 19(5) (with reg. 10(2), 10A) (as amended (26.11.2021) by S.I. 2021/1235, regs. 6, 7); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F13Words in s. 104 inserted (14.1.2019) by The Trade Marks Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/825), regs. 1(1), 32(2) (with Pt. 5)
F14Words in s. 104 inserted (6.4.2016) by The European Union Trade Mark Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/299), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 3(a) (with reg. 13)
F15Words in s. 104 inserted (6.4.2016) by The European Union Trade Mark Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/299), reg. 1(1), Sch. para. 3(b) (with reg. 13)
F16Words in s. 104 table omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Designs and International Trade Marks (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/638), reg. 1, Sch. 8 para. 19(6) (with reg. 10(2), 10A) (as amended (26.11.2021) by S.I. 2021/1235, regs. 6, 7); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F17Word in s. 104 substituted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), s. 211(2), Sch. 21 para. 115(i) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2(h)
F18Word in s. 104 substituted (1.1.2010) by Legal Services Act 2007 (c. 29), s. 211(2), Sch. 21 para. 115(ii) (with ss. 29, 192, 193); S.I. 2009/3250, art. 2(h)
The provisions of Schedule 3 have effect with respect to transitional matters, including the treatment of marks registered under the M4Trade Marks Act 1938, and applications for registration and other proceedings pending under that Act, on the commencement of this Act.
Marginal Citations
(1)The enactments specified in Schedule 4 are amended in accordance with that Schedule, the amendments being consequential on the provisions of this Act.
(2)The enactments specified in Schedule 5 are repealed to the extent specified.
(1)For the purposes of this Act the territorial waters of the United Kingdom shall be treated as part of the United Kingdom.
(2)This Act applies to things done in the United Kingdom sector of the continental shelf on a structure or vessel which is present there for purposes directly connected with the exploration of the sea bed or subsoil or the exploitation of their natural resources as it applies to things done in the United Kingdom.
(3)The United Kingdom sector of the continental shelf means the areas designated by order under section 1(7) of the M5Continental Shelf Act 1964.
Marginal Citations
(1)This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
(2)This Act also extends to the Isle of Man, subject to such exceptions and modifications as Her Majesty may specify by Order in Council; and subject to any such Order references in this Act to the United Kingdom shall be construed as including the Isle of Man.
Subordinate Legislation Made
P1S. 108(2) power fully exercised (13.3.1996): 1.4.1996 appointed day by S.I. 1996/729
(1)The provisions of this Act come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may appoint by order made by statutory instrument.
Different days may be appointed for different provisions and different purposes.
(2)The references to the commencement of this Act in Schedules 3 and 4 (transitional provisions and consequential amendments) are to the commencement of the main substantive provisions of Parts I and III of this Act and the consequential repeal of the Trade Marks Act 1938.
Provision may be made by order under this section identifying the date of that commencement.
Subordinate Legislation Made
P2S. 109 power fully exercised (29.9.1994): 29.9.1994 appointed for specified provisions and 31.10.1994 appointed by S.I. 1994/2550, arts. 2, 3
This Act may be cited as the Trade Marks Act 1994.
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