Starting from September 1st, 2016, the Interim Regulations on Entrusting Local Administrations for Industry and Commerce and Market Supervision to Accept Trademark Registration Applications (hereinafter the Interim Regulations) issued by State Administration for Industry and Commerce (herein after SAIC) will came into effect. This means that trademark applicant may apply for trademark registration at the nearest designated office.
The Interim Regulations is a specific implementation of SAIC’s Opinions on Reform of Promoting Trademark Registration Facilitation. Upon the entrustment of the Trademark Office of SAIC (hereinafter the trademark office), local administrations for industry and commerce and market supervision at and above county level may set up receiving windows in local government hall or registration hall to accept trademark registration applications.
It is clearly defined that the receiving window is responsible for trademark application, fee charging, acceptance and examination of trademark applications, determination of filing date, issuing of trademark registration certificate, enquires and consultant service.
After the release of the interim regulations, the trademark office will on a regular basis publish the list of entrusted departments and enhance the training and guiding of these administrations.
