In these Rules—

• “the Act” means the Trade Marks Act 1994;

• “the Journal” means the Trade Marks Journal published in accordance with rule 81;

• “the “Nice Agreement” means the Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks of 15th June 19573, which was last amended on 28th September 1979;

• “the “Nice Classification” means the system of classification under the Nice Agreement4;

• “the Office” means the Patent Office which operates under the name “the UK Intellectual Property Office”;

• “send” includes give;

• “specification” means the statement of goods or services in respect of which a trade mark is registered or proposed to be registered;

• “transformation application” means an application to register a trade mark under the Act where that mark was the subject of an international registration prior to that registration being cancelled.

In these Rules a reference to a section is a reference to that section in the Act and a reference to a form is a reference to that form as published under rule 3.

In these Rules references to the filing of any application, notice or other document, unless the contrary intention appears, are to be construed as references to its being delivered to the registrar at the Office.

Any forms required by the registrar to be used for the purpose of registration of a trade mark or any other proceedings before the registrar under the Act pursuant to section 66 and any directions with respect to their use shall be published on the Office website and any amendment or modification of a form or of the directions with respect to its use shall also be published on the Office website.

Except in relation to Forms TM6 and TM7A a requirement under this rule to use a form as published is satisfied by the use either of a replica of that form or of a form which is acceptable to the registrar and contains the information required by the form as published and complies with any directions as to the use of such a form.

The fees to be paid in respect of any application, registration or any other matter under the Act and these Rules shall be those (if any) prescribed in relation to such matter by rules under section 79 (fees).

Any form required to be filed with the registrar in respect of any specified matter shall be subject to the payment of the fee (if any) prescribed in respect of that matter by those rules.

An application for the registration of a trade mark shall be filed on Form TM3 (except where the application is a transformation application in which case the application for registration shall be filed on Form TM4) and shall be subject to the payment of the application fee and such class fees as may be appropriate.

Where an application is for the registration of a single trade mark, an applicant may request the registrar to undertake an expedited examination of the application.

A request for expedited examination shall be made on Form TM3 which shall be filed electronically using the filing system provided on the Office website, or by such other means as the registrar may permit in any particular case, and shall be subject to payment of the prescribed fee.

Where an applicant makes a request for expedited examination, the application fee and any class fees payable in respect of the application shall be payable at the time the application is made and accordingly rule 13 shall not apply insofar as it relates to the failure of an application to satisfy the requirements of section 32(4).

In this rule and rule 15 a “request for expedited examination” means a request that, following an examination under section 37, the registrar notify the applicant within a period of ten business days (as specified in a direction given by the registrar under section 80) beginning on the business day after the date of filing of the application for registration whether or not it appears to the registrar that the requirements for registration are met.

The registrar may, in any particular case, by notice require the applicant to file, within such period of not less than one month as the notice may specify, such documentary evidence as the registrar may require certifying, or verifying to the satisfaction of the registrar, the date of the filing of the overseas application, the country or registering or competent authority, the representation of the mark and the goods or services covered by the overseas application.

The prescribed system of classification for the purposes of the registration of trade marks is the Nice Classification.

When a trade mark is registered it shall be classified according to the version of the Nice Classification that had effect on the date of application for registration.

An application may be made in more than one class of the Nice Classification.

If the application relates to more than one class in the Nice Classification the specification contained in it shall set out the classes in consecutive numerical order and the specification of the goods or services shall be grouped accordingly.

If the specification contained in the application lists items by reference to a class in the Nice Classification in which they do not fall, the applicant may request, by filing Form TM3A, that the application be amended to include the appropriate class for those items, and upon the payment of such class fee as may be appropriate the registrar shall amend the application accordingly.

Where an application does not satisfy the requirements of rule 8(2) or (3), the registrar shall send notice to the applicant.

A notice sent under paragraph (1) shall specify a period, of not less than one month, within which the applicant must satisfy those requirements.

Where the applicant fails to satisfy the requirements of rule 8(2) before the expiry of the period specified under paragraph (2), the application for registration, insofar as it relates to any goods or services which failed that requirement, shall be treated as abandoned.

Where the applicant fails to satisfy the requirements of rule 8(3) before the expiry of the period specified under paragraph (2), the application for registration shall be treated as abandoned.

The proprietor of a registered trade mark, or any person who has registered an interest in a registered trade mark, may file an address for service on Form TM33 or, in the case of an assignment of a registered trade mark, on Form TM16.

Where a person has provided an address for service under paragraph (1) or (2), that person may substitute a new address for service by notifying the registrar on Form TM33.

An address for service filed under paragraph (1)(a) or (2) shall be an address in the United Kingdom, another EEA State or the Channel Islands.

An address for service filed under paragraph (1)(b) to (d) shall be an address in the United Kingdom, unless in a particular case the registrar otherwise directs.

Where a direction has been given under paragraph (1), the person directed shall, before the end of the period of one month beginning with the date of the direction, file an address for service.

In this rule an “address for service” means an address which complies with the requirements of rule 11(4) or (5).

Where an application for registration of a trade mark does not satisfy the requirements of section 32(2), (3) or (4) or rule 5(1), the registrar shall send notice to the applicant to remedy the deficiencies or, in the case of section 32(4), the default of payment.

A notice sent under paragraph (1) shall specify a period, of not less than one month, within which the applicant must remedy the deficiencies or the default of payment.

References in paragraph (2) to the proprietor of a trade mark include a person who has applied for registration of a trade mark which, if registered, would be an earlier trade mark by virtue of section 6(1)(a) or (b).

The proprietor of a Community trade mark or international trade mark (EC) may file a request to be notified in relation to that mark of the results of a notifiable search on Form TM6, which shall be filed electronically using the filing system provided on the Office website, or by such other means as the registrar may permit in any particular case, and shall be subject to payment of the prescribed fee.

In paragraph (4) a “notifiable search” means any search under article 4 of the Trade Marks (Relative Grounds) Order 2007 conducted within the period of three years beginning with the date on which the request was filed.

The filing of any request under paragraph (4) shall be subject to such terms or conditions as the registrar may specify generally by published notice or in any particular case by written notice to the person desiring to file the request otherwise than by electronic means.

Rule 63 shall not apply to any decision made in pursuance of this rule.

No decision made in pursuance of this rule shall be subject to appeal.

Any notice to the registrar of opposition to the registration, including the statement of the grounds of opposition, shall be filed on Form TM7.

Unless paragraph (3) applies, the time prescribed for the purposes of section 38(2) shall be the period of two months beginning with the date on which the application was published.

This paragraph applies where a request for an extension of time for the filing of Form TM7 has been made on Form TM7A, before the expiry of the period referred to in paragraph (2) and where this paragraph applies, the time prescribed for the purposes of section 38(2) in relation to any person having filed a Form TM7A (or, in the case of a company, any subsidiary or holding company of that company or any other subsidiary of that holding company) shall be the period of three months beginning with the date on which the application was published.

Where a person makes a request for an extension of time under paragraph (3), Form TM7A shall be filed electronically using the filing system provided on the Office website or by such other means as the registrar may permit.

Where the opposition is based on a trade mark in respect of which an application for registration has been made, there shall be included in the statement of the grounds of opposition a representation of that mark and those matters set out in paragraph (5)(a) to (c), with references to registration being construed as references to the application for registration.

Where the opposition is based on an unregistered trade mark or other sign which the person opposing the application claims to be protected by virtue of any rule of law (in particular, the law of passing off), there shall be included in the statement of the grounds of opposition a representation of that mark or sign and the goods and services in respect of which such protection is claimed.

The registrar shall send a copy of Form TM7 to the applicant and the date upon which this is sent shall, for the purposes of rule 18, be the “notification date”.

In this rule “subsidiary” and “holding company” have the same meaning as in the Companies Act 20066.

The applicant shall, within the relevant period, file a Form TM8, which shall include a counter-statement.

Where the applicant fails to file a Form TM8 or counter-statement within the relevant period, the application for registration, insofar as it relates to the goods and services in respect of which the opposition is directed, shall, unless the registrar otherwise directs, be treated as abandoned.

Unless either paragraph (4), (5) or (6) applies, the relevant period shall begin on the notification date and end two months after that date.

The registrar shall send a copy of Form TM8 to the person opposing the registration.

The date upon which the preliminary indication is sent shall be the “indication date”.

Where it appeared to the registrar under paragraph (2) that registration of the mark should not be refused in respect of all or any of the goods or services listed in the application on the grounds set out in section 5(1) or (2), the person opposing the registration shall, within one month of the indication date, file a notice of intention to proceed with the opposition based on those grounds by filing a Form TM53, otherwise that person’s opposition to the registration of the mark in relation to those goods or services on the grounds set in section 5(1) or (2) shall be deemed to have been withdrawn

Where it appeared to the registrar under paragraph (2) that registration of the mark should be refused in respect of all or any of the goods or services listed in the application on the grounds set out in section 5(1) or (2), the applicant shall, within one month of the indication date, file a notice of intention to proceed on Form TM53, otherwise the applicant shall be deemed to have withdrawn the request to register the mark in respect of the goods or services for which the registrar indicated registration should be refused.

A person who files a Form TM53 shall, at the same time, send a copy to all other parties to the proceedings.

The registrar need not give reasons for the preliminary indication nor shall the preliminary indication be subject to appeal.

The registrar may, at any time, give leave to either party to file evidence upon such terms as the registrar thinks fit.

If the opposition or part of it is based on the relative grounds for refusal set out in section 5(1), (2) or (3), any person in paragraph (3) may file an application to the registrar on Form TM27 for leave to intervene and the registrar may, after hearing the parties concerned if so required, refuse such leave or grant leave upon such terms and conditions (including any undertaking as to costs) as the registrar thinks fit.

Any person granted leave to intervene shall, subject to any terms and conditions imposed in respect of the intervention, be treated as a party to the proceedings for the purposes of the application of the provisions of rules 19, 20 and 62 to 73.

Where, pursuant to section 39, a request is made for amendment of an application which has been published in the Journal and the amendment affects the representation of the trade mark or the goods or services covered by the application, the amendment or a statement of the effect of the amendment shall also be published in the Journal.

Any person claiming to be affected by the amendment may, within one month of the date on which the amendment or a statement of the effect of the amendment was published under paragraph (1), give notice to the registrar of objection to the amendment on Form TM7 which shall include a statement of the grounds of objection which shall, in particular, indicate why the amendment would not fall within section 39(2).

At any time before registration an applicant may send to the registrar a request on Form TM12 for a division of the application for registration (the original application) into two or more separate applications (divisional applications), indicating for each division the specification of goods or services.

Each divisional application shall be treated as a separate application for registration with the same filing date as the original application.

Where the request to divide an application is sent after publication of the application, any objections in respect of, or opposition to, the original application shall be taken to apply to each divisional application and shall be proceeded with accordingly.

Upon division of an original application in respect of which notice has been given to the registrar of particulars relating to the grant of a licence, or a security interest or any right in or under it, the notice and the particulars shall be deemed to apply in relation to each of the applications into which the original application has been divided.

An applicant who has made separate applications for registration of a mark may, at any time before preparations for the publication of any of the applications have been completed by the Office, request the registrar on Form TM17 to merge the separate applications into a single application.

The proprietor of two or more registrations of a trade mark may request the registrar on Form TM17 to merge them into a single registration and the registrar shall, if satisfied that the registrations are in respect of the same trade mark, merge them into a single registration.

Where any registration of a trade mark to be merged under paragraph (3) is subject to a disclaimer or limitation, the merged registration shall also be restricted accordingly.

Where any registration of a trade mark to be merged under paragraph (3) has had registered in relation to it particulars relating to the grant of a licence or a security interest or any right in or under it, or of any memorandum or statement of the effect of a memorandum, the registrar shall enter in the register the same particulars in relation to the merged registration.

The date of registration of the merged registration shall, where the separate registrations bear different dates of registration, be the latest of those dates.

The proprietor of a series of trade marks may apply to the registrar on Form TM3 for their registration as a series in a single registration and there shall be included in such application a representation of each mark claimed to be in the series.

Following an application under paragraph (1) the registrar shall, if satisfied that the marks constitute a series, accept the application.

Where the request to divide an application is sent after publication of the application, any objections in respect of, or opposition to, the original application shall be taken to apply to each divisional application and shall be proceeded with accordingly.

At any time the applicant for registration of a series of trade marks or the proprietor of a registered series of trade marks may request the deletion of a mark in that series and, following such request, the registrar shall delete the mark accordingly.

Where under paragraph (5) the registrar deletes a trade mark from an application for registration, the application, in so far as it relates to the deleted mark, shall be treated as withdrawn.

The division of an application into one or more applications under paragraph (3) shall be subject to the payment of a divisional fee and such application and class fees as are appropriate.

An application for the amendment of the regulations governing the use of a registered collective or certification mark shall be filed on Form TM36.

Where it appears to be expedient to the registrar that the amended regulations should be made available to the public the registrar shall publish a notice in the Journal indicating where copies of the amended regulations may be inspected.

Any person may, within two months of the date of publication of the notice under paragraph (2), make observations to the registrar on the amendments relating to the matters referred to in paragraph 6(1) of Schedule 1 to the Act in relation to a collective mark, or paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 2 to the Act in relation to a certification mark and the registrar shall send a copy of those observations to the proprietor.

Any person may, within two months of the date on which the notice was published under paragraph (2), give notice to the registrar of opposition to the amendment on Form TM7 which shall include a statement of the grounds of opposition indicating why the amended regulations do not comply with the requirements of paragraph 6(1) of Schedule 1 to the Act, or, as the case may be, paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 2 to the Act.

The proprietor of a registered trade mark may request the registrar on Form TM25 for such alteration of the mark as is permitted under section 44 and following such request the registrar may require evidence as to the circumstances in which the application is made.

Where, upon the request of the proprietor, the registrar proposes to allow such alteration, the registrar shall publish the mark as altered in the Journal.

Any person claiming to be affected by the alteration may, within two months of the date on which the mark as altered was published under paragraph (2), give notice to the registrar of objection to the alteration on Form TM7 which shall include a statement of the grounds of objection.

The registrar shall, upon the surrender taking effect, make the appropriate entry in the register and publish the date of surrender on the Office website.

Subject to paragraph (2) below, at any time not earlier than six months nor later than one month before the expiration of the last registration of a trade mark, the registrar shall (except where renewal has already been effected under rule 35) send to the registered proprietor notice of the approaching expiration and inform the proprietor at the same time that the registration may be renewed in the manner described in rule 35.

If it appears to the registrar that a trade mark may be registered under section 40 at any time within six months before or at any time on or after the date on which renewal would be due (by reference to the date of application for registration), the registrar shall be taken to have complied with paragraph (1) if the registrar sends to the applicant notice to that effect within one month following the date of actual registration.

If on the expiration of the last registration of a trade mark the renewal fee has not been paid, the registrar shall publish that fact.

If, within six months from the date of the expiration of the last registration, a request for renewal is filed on Form TM11 accompanied by the appropriate renewal fee and additional renewal fee, the registrar shall renew the registration without removing the mark from the register.

Where no request for renewal is filed, the registrar shall, subject to rule 37, remove the mark from the register.

Where a mark is due to be registered after the date on which it is due for renewal (by reference to the date of application for registration), the request for renewal shall be filed together with the renewal fee and additional renewal fee within six months after the date of actual registration.

The removal of the registration of a trade mark shall be published on the Office website.

The restoration of the registration, including the date of restoration, shall be published on the Office website.

An application to the registrar for revocation of a trade mark under section 46, on the grounds set out in section 46(1)(a) or (b), shall be made on Form TM26(N).

The registrar shall send a copy of Form TM26(N) to the proprietor.

The proprietor shall, within two months of the date on which he was sent a copy of Form TM26(N) by the registrar, file a Form TM8(N), which shall include a counter-statement.

Where the proprietor fails to file evidence of use of the mark or evidence supporting the reasons for non-use of the mark within the period specified in paragraph (3) above the registrar shall specify a further period of not less than two months within which the evidence shall be filed.

The registrar shall send a copy of Form TM8(N) and any evidence of use, or evidence supporting reasons for non-use, filed by the proprietor to the applicant.

Where the proprietor fails to file a Form TM8(N) within the period specified in paragraph (3) the registration of the mark shall, unless the registrar directs otherwise, be revoked.

Where the proprietor fails to file evidence within the period specified under paragraph (3) or any further period specified under paragraph (4), the registrar may treat the proprietor as not opposing the application and the registration of the mark shall, unless the registrar directs otherwise, be revoked.

The registrar may, at any time, give leave to either party to file evidence upon such terms as the registrar thinks fit.

An application to the registrar for revocation of a trade mark under section 46, on the grounds set out in section 46(1)(c) or (d), shall be made on Form TM26(O) and shall include a statement of the grounds on which the application is made and be accompanied by a statement of truth.

The registrar shall send a copy of Form TM26(O) and the statement of the grounds on which the application is made to the proprietor.

The proprietor shall, within two months of the date on which he was sent a copy of Form TM26(O) and the statement by the registrar, file a Form TM8 which shall include a counter-statement, otherwise the registrar may treat the proprietor as not opposing the application and the registration of the mark shall, unless the registrar directs otherwise, be revoked.

The registrar shall send a copy of Form TM8 to the applicant.

Where the applicant has filed a Form TM8, the registrar shall specify the periods within which further evidence may be filed by the parties.

Where the applicant files no further evidence in support of the application the applicant, shall, unless the registrar otherwise directs, be deemed to have withdrawn the application.

The registrar shall notify the proprietor of any direction given under paragraph (2).

The registrar may, at any time give leave to either party to file evidence upon such terms as the registrar thinks fit.

An application to the registrar for a declaration of invalidity under section 47 shall be filed on Form TM26(I) and shall include a statement of the grounds on which the application is made and be accompanied by a statement of truth.

Where the application is based on a trade mark in respect of which an application for registration has been made, there shall be included in the statement of the grounds on which the application is made a representation of that mark and those matters set out in paragraph (2)(a) to (c), with references to registration being construed as references to the application for registration.

Where the application is based on an unregistered trade mark or other sign which the applicant claims to be protected by virtue of any rule of law (in particular, the law of passing off), there shall be included in the statement of the grounds on which the application is made a representation of that mark or sign and the goods and services in respect of which such protection is claimed.

The registrar shall send a copy of Form TM26(I) and the statement of the grounds on which the application is made to the proprietor.

The proprietor shall, within two months of the date on which a copy of Form TM26(I) and the statement was sent by the registrar, file a Form TM8, which shall include a counter-statement, otherwise the registrar may treat the proprietor as not opposing the application and registration of the mark shall, unless the registrar otherwise directs, be declared invalid.

The registrar shall send a copy of Form TM8 to the applicant.

Where the proprietor has filed Form TM8, the registrar shall send notice to the applicant inviting the applicant to file evidence in support of the grounds on which the application is made and any submissions and to send a copy to all the other parties.

The registrar shall specify the periods within which evidence and submissions may be filed by the parties.

The registrar may, at any time give leave to either party to file evidence upon such terms as the registrar thinks fit.

Where this rule applies, the applicant or the proprietor shall, within a period of six months beginning with the date that the application was refused or the register was amended to reflect the revocation or the declaration of invalidity (as the case may be), file an application on Form TM29 to set aside the decision of the registrar and shall include evidence in support of the application and shall copy the form and the evidence to the other party to the original proceedings under the rules referred to in paragraph (1).

Where the applicant or the proprietor demonstrates to the reasonable satisfaction of the registrar that the failure to file Form TM8 within the period specified in the rules referred to in paragraph (1) was due to a failure to receive Form TM7, Form TM26(N), Form TM26(O) or Form TM26(I) (as the case may be), the original decision may be set aside on such terms and conditions as the registrar thinks fit.

In considering whether to set aside the original decision the matters to which the registrar must have regard include whether the person seeking to set aside the decision made an application to do so promptly upon becoming aware of the original decision and any prejudice which may be caused to the other party to the original proceedings if the original decision were to be set aside.

Any person, other than the registered proprietor, claiming to have an interest in proceedings on an application under rule 38, 39, 41 or 44, may file an application to the registrar on Form TM27 for leave to intervene, stating the nature of the person’s interest and the registrar may, after hearing the parties concerned if they request a hearing, refuse leave or grant leave upon such terms and conditions (including any undertaking as to costs) as the registrar thinks fit.

Any person granted leave to intervene shall, subject to any terms and conditions imposed in respect of the intervention, be treated as a party to the proceedings for the purposes of the application of the provisions of rules 38 to 40, 41 and 42 or 44 (as appropriate) and rules 62 to 73.

Where an application to give notice to the registrar has been made of particulars relating to an application for registration of a trade mark, upon registration of the trade mark, the registrar shall enter those particulars in the register.

The register shall be open for public inspection at the Office during the hours of business of the Office as published in accordance with rule 80.

Where any portion of the register is kept otherwise than in documentary form, the right of inspection is a right to inspect the material on the register.

If the registrar is satisfied after considering any objections or opposition to the removal that the matter has not ceased to have effect, the registrar shall not remove it.

Where there has been no response to the registrar’s notice the registrar may remove the matter and where representations objecting to the removal of the entry have been made the registrar may, if after considering the objections the registrar is of the view that the entry or any part of it has ceased to have effect, remove it or the appropriate part of it.

The registrar may at any time amend an entry in the register which relates to the classification of a registered trade mark so that it accords with the version of the Nice Classification that has effect at that time.

If the proprietor makes no written objections within the period specified in paragraph (2)(a) or at any time before the expiration of that period decides not to make any objections and gives the registrar written notice to this effect, the registrar shall as soon as practicable after the expiration of that period or upon receipt of the notice publish the proposals in the Journal.

Where the proprietor makes written objections within the period specified in paragraph (2)(a), the registrar shall, as soon as practicable after having considered the objections, publish the proposals in the Journal or, where the registrar has amended the proposals, publish the proposals as amended in the Journal; and the registrar’s decision shall be final and not subject to appeal.

Any person may, within two months of the date on which the proposals were published under rule 54, give notice to the registrar of opposition to the proposals on Form TM7 which shall include a statement of the grounds of opposition which shall, in particular, indicate why the proposed amendments would be contrary to section 65(3).

If no notice of opposition under paragraph (1) is filed within the time specified, or where any opposition has been determined, the registrar shall make the amendments as proposed and shall enter in the register the date when they were made; and the registrar’s decision shall be final and not subject to appeal.

Before publication of an application for registration the registrar shall make available for inspection by the public the application and any amendments made to it and any particulars contained in a notice given to the registrar under rule 49.

Nothing in section 67(2) relating to publication of information shall be construed as preventing the publication of decisions on cases relating to trade marks decided by the registrar.

Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the registrar shall permit all documents filed or kept at the Office in relation to a registered mark or, where an application for the registration of a trade mark has been published, in relation to that application, to be inspected.

The registrar shall not be obliged to permit the inspection of any such document as is mentioned in paragraph (1) until the completion of any procedure, or the stage in the procedure which is relevant to the document in question, which the registrar is required or permitted to carry out under the Act or these Rules.

No appeal shall lie from a decision of the registrar under paragraph (4) not to make any document or part of a document available for public inspection.

Where a document (other than a form required by the registrar and published in accordance with rule 3) is filed at the Office and the person filing it requests at the time of filing that it or a specified part of it be treated as confidential, giving reasons for the request, the registrar may direct that it or part of it, as the case may be, be treated as confidential, and the document shall not be open to public inspection while the matter is being determined by the registrar.

Where such direction has been given and not withdrawn, nothing in this rule shall be taken to authorise or require any person to be allowed to inspect the document or part of it to which the direction relates except by leave of the registrar.

The registrar shall not withdraw any direction given under this rule without prior consultation with the person at whose request the direction was given, unless the registrar is satisfied that such prior consultation is not reasonably practical.

The registrar may where the registrar considers that any document issued by the Office should be treated as confidential so direct, and upon such direction that document shall not be open to public inspection except by leave of the registrar.

Where a direction is given under this rule for a document to be treated as confidential a record of the fact shall be filed with the document.

Where an agent has been authorised under section 82, the registrar may in a particular case require the personal signature or presence of the agent or the person authorising the agent to act as agent.

Subject to paragraph (3), where a person appoints an agent for the first time or appoints one agent in substitution for another, the newly appointed agent shall file Form TM33.

Where after a person has become a party to proceedings involving a third party before the registrar, the person appoints an agent for the first time or appoints one agent in substitution for another, the newly appointed agent shall file Form TM33P.

Any act required or authorised by the Act in connection with the registration of a trade mark or any procedure relating to a trade mark may not be done by or to the newly appointed agent until on or after the date on which the newly appointed agent files Form TM33 or TM33P as appropriate.

The registrar may by notice in writing require an agent to produce evidence of his authority under section 82.

The registrar may at any stage of any proceedings direct that the parties to the proceedings attend a case management conference or pre-hearing review.

Without prejudice to any provisions of the Act or these Rules requiring the registrar to hear any party to proceedings under the Act or these Rules, or to give such party an opportunity to be heard, the registrar shall, before taking any decision on any matter under the Act or these Rules which is or may be adverse to any party to any proceedings, give that party an opportunity to be heard.

The registrar shall give that party at least fourteen days’ notice, beginning on the date on which notice is sent, of the time when the party may be heard unless the party consents to shorter notice.

A witness statement may only be given in evidence if it includes a statement of truth.

The general rule is that evidence at hearings is to be by witness statement unless the registrar or any enactment requires otherwise.

In these Rules, a witness statement is a written statement signed by a person that contains the evidence which that person would be allowed to give orally.

The hearing before the registrar of any dispute between two or more parties relating to any matter in connection with an application for the registration of a mark or a registered mark shall be in public unless the registrar, after consultation with those parties who appear in person or are represented at the hearing, otherwise directs.

Nothing in this rule shall prevent a member of the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council or of its Scottish Committee from attending a hearing in their capacity as such member.

The registrar may require any person who is a party in any proceedings under the Act or these Rules to give security for costs in relation to those proceedings; and may also require security for the costs of any appeal from the registrar’s decision.

In default of such security being given, the registrar, in the case of the proceedings before the registrar, or in the case of an appeal, the person appointed under section 76 may treat the party in default as having withdrawn their application, opposition, objection or intervention, as the case may be.

The registrar shall send to each party to the proceedings written notice of any decision made in any proceedings before the registrar stating the reasons for that decision and for the purposes of any appeal against that decision, subject to paragraph (2), the date on which the notice is sent shall be taken to be the date of the decision.

Where a statement of the reasons for the decision is not included in the notice sent under paragraph (1), any party may, within one month of the date on which the notice was sent to that party, request the registrar on Form TM5 to send a statement of the reasons for the decision and upon such request the registrar shall send such a statement, and the date on which that statement is sent shall be deemed to be the date of the registrar’s decision for the purpose of any appeal against it.

Except as otherwise expressly provided by these Rules an appeal lies from any decision of the registrar made under these Rules relating to a dispute between two or more parties in connection with a trade mark, including a decision which terminates the proceedings as regards one of the parties or a decision awarding costs to any party (“a final decision”) or a decision which is made at any point in the proceedings prior to a final decision (“an interim decision”).

An interim decision (including a decision refusing leave to appeal under this paragraph) may only be appealed against independently of any appeal against a final decision with the leave of the registrar.

Notice of appeal to the person appointed under section 76 shall be filed on Form TM55 which shall include the appellant’s grounds of appeal and his case in support of the appeal.

Such notice shall be filed with the registrar within the period of 28 days beginning with the date of the registrar’s decision which is the subject of the appeal (“the original decision”).

The registrar shall send the notice and the statement to the person appointed.

Where any person other than the appellant was a party to the proceedings before the registrar in which the original decision was made (“the respondent”), the registrar shall send to the respondent a copy of the notice and the statement and the respondent may, within the period of 21 days beginning with the date on which the notice and statement was sent, file a notice responding to the notice of appeal.

The respondent’s notice shall specify any grounds on which the respondent considers the original decision should be maintained where these differ from or are additional to the grounds given by the registrar in the original decision.

The registrar shall send a copy of the respondent’s notice to the person appointed and a copy to the appellant.

Where the registrar requests that the appeal be referred to the court, the registrar shall send a copy of the request to each party to the proceedings.

A request under paragraph (1)(b) shall be sent to the registrar following which the registrar shall send it to the person appointed and shall send a copy of the request to any other party to the proceedings.

Within 28 days of the date on which a copy of a request is sent by the registrar under paragraph (2) or (3), the person to whom it is sent may make representations as to whether the appeal should be referred to the court.

In any case where it appears to the person appointed that a point of general legal importance is involved in the appeal, the person appointed shall send to the registrar and to every party to the proceedings in which the decision appealed against was made, notice to that effect.

Within 28 days of the date on which a notice is sent under paragraph (5), the person to whom it was sent may make representations as to whether the appeal should be referred to the court.

The person appointed shall send the notice at least fourteen days before the time appointed for the oral hearing.

Rules 62, 65, 67 and 68 shall apply to the person appointed and to proceedings before the person appointed as they apply to the registrar and to proceedings before the registrar.

If there is an oral hearing of the appeal then rule 66 shall apply to the person appointed and to proceedings before the person appointed as it applies to the registrar and to proceedings before the registrar.

A copy of the decision of the appointed person shall be sent, with a statement of the reasons for the decision, to the registrar and to each person who was a party to the appeal.

Subject to rule 77, the registrar may authorise the rectification of any irregularity in procedure (including the rectification of any document filed) connected with any proceeding or other matter before the registrar or the Office.

Any certificate of the registrar made under paragraph (1) shall be displayed in the Office and published on the Office website.

The registrar shall, where the time for doing anything under these Rules expires on an interrupted day, extend that time to the next following day not being an interrupted day (or an excluded day).

In this rule—

• “excluded day” means a day which is not a business day as specified in a direction given by the registrar under section 80; and

• “interrupted day” means a day which has been certified as such under paragraph (1).

The registrar shall extend any time limit in these Rules where the registrar is satisfied that the failure to do something under these Rules was wholly or mainly attributed to a delay in, or failure of, a communication service.

In this rule “communication service” means a service by which documents may be sent and delivered and includes post, facsimile, email and courier.

Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), the registrar may, at the request of the person or party concerned or at the registrar’s own initiative extend a time or period prescribed by these Rules or a time or period specified by the registrar for doing any act and any extension under this paragraph shall be made subject to such conditions as the registrar may direct.

Where an extension under paragraph (1) is requested in relation to proceedings before the registrar, the party seeking the extension shall send a copy of the request to every other person who is a party to the proceedings.

In this rule—

• “flexible time limit” means—

  1. a

     a time or period prescribed by these Rules, except a time or period prescribed by the rules listed in Schedule 1, or

  2. b

     a time or period specified by the registrar for doing any act or taking any proceedings; and

• “proceedings before the registrar” means any dispute between two or more parties relating to a matter before the registrar in connection with a trade mark.

The delivery using electronic communications to any person by the registrar of any document is deemed to be effected, unless the registrar has otherwise specified, by transmitting an electronic communication containing the document to an address provided or made available to the registrar by that person as an address for the receipt of electronic communications; and unless the contrary is proved such delivery is deemed to be effected immediately upon the transmission of the communication.

In this rule “electronic communication” has the same meaning as in the Electronic Communications Act 20008.

Where any document or part thereof which is in a language other than English is filed or sent to the registrar in pursuance of the Act or these Rules, the registrar may require that there be furnished a translation into English of the document or that part, verified to the satisfaction of the registrar as corresponding to the original text.

The registrar may refuse to accept any translation which the registrar considers to be inaccurate in which event there shall be furnished another translation of the document in question verified in accordance with paragraph (1).

The instruments set out in Schedule 2 (“the previous rules”) are revoked to the extent specified.

Where immediately before these Rules come into force, any time or period prescribed by the previous rules has effect in relation to any act or proceeding and has not expired, the time or period prescribed by the previous rules and not by these Rules shall apply to that act or proceeding.

Except as provided by paragraph (4) where a new step is to be taken on or after 1st October 2008 in relation to any proceedings commenced under the previous rules these Rules shall apply to such proceedings from that date.

Where proceedings as described in paragraph (4) are consolidated with proceedings commenced on or after 1st October 2008 these Rules shall apply with regard to the filing of any evidence in relation to those consolidated proceedings.