缅甸新商标法：过渡期即将2020年10月1日开始

Myanmar has always been considered a potential market for Intellectual Property rights.

缅甸一直被认为是知识产权的潜在市场。

The Myanmar government has enacted a new Trademark law in March 2019 – wherein a new set of rules, regulations, and procedures were defined in accordance with international standards. However, due to epidemic COVID-19, the NEW law was not implemented back then. But, now the government has decided to implement the relevant applicable laws.

缅甸政府于2019年3月颁布了新《商标法》，其中包含一系列与国际接轨的新规则、新规定和新流程。但由于新型冠状肺炎的爆发，新商标法的实施随后被搁浅，原本将于2020年1月开始的 “过渡期”亦因疫情而推迟。据最新消息，缅甸政府决定将开始执行新商标法的相关规则。

The Ministry Of Commerce and Trade issued a notification No. 63/2020 dated August 28, 2020 that the soft opening period will start launching on 1st October 2020 for the marks owner under the section 93(a) of the Trade Mark law.

根据缅甸商务部2020年8月28日发布的第63/2020号令，新商标法“过渡期” 将于2020年10月1日开始实行。

The "soft-opening" period is for the existing trademark registrations to be re-filed within six (06) months since 1st October 2020 on a first-to-file principle to claim the priority date. 

2020年10月1日起，“过渡期”开始后6个月内，现有注册商标可根据新法“申请在先的原则”进行重报，并要求优先权日期。

Whereas, the grand opening will happen upon completion of the soft opening and will allow registration of Trademarks for all other interested parties before the New Intellectual Property Office .

“过渡期”结束后，将揭开缅甸新商标法的“开幕式”（grand opening），届时将允许任何人向缅甸商标局提交新的商标申请。

The new Trademark Law has not yet come into force and The Rules & Regulations are yet to be issued by MOC. The MOC has described that the fees for re-filing the marks and payment procedures will be announced later.

值得一提的是，目前缅甸新商标法尚未生效，缅甸商务部尚未发布新商标法的相关规则与条例。缅甸商务部表示，“过渡期”商标重报的费用和付款程序随后会予以公布。

Comparison between the Existing Law and the Proposed New Law

缅甸现有刊登制与新商标法的对比

SOFT OPENING

1. The duration is of six (06) months;

2. The filing of the application under the soft opening is subject to the condition that the mark has been regularly maintained and renewed in Myanmar. Existing registrants will be allowed to re-file the application for marks that already registered in Myanmar to claim the priority of prior registration and protect their marks under the new law;

3. Application for a new TM cannot be field;

4. The application must be accompanied with a legalized Power of Attorney;

5. The application filed during the soft opening will be assigned an application number and the filing date;

6. Evidence of previous registration or renewal in Myanmar (i.e. original copy of Trademark Certificate);

7. Publication of trademark ownership in any newspaper;

8. Deed of Assignment as recorded with the Office of Registration of Deeds (if any).

新商标法“过渡期”的相关信息和要求

1、 期限为6个月；

2、 “过渡期”内提交商标申请的前提是，该商标已在缅甸注册或续展。商标持有人可根据新法重新提交该商标申请，并获得优先权日期；

3、 不能提交新的商标申请；

4、 商标重报必须提供委托书公证认证原件；

5、 过渡期内重报的商标，将授予新的申请号和申请日期；

6、 提供在缅甸在先注册或续展的证据（如商标证书原件）；

7、 在缅甸当地报纸上刊登的商标所有权信息（若有）；

8、 商标的相关转让记录（若有）。

GRAND OPENING

1. All trademarks already registered under the existing/old law for which application was not filed during the Soft Period will be available for registration to the third parties;

2. New trademark applications may be filed;

3. Opposition proceedings may be initiated against the newly filed trademarks;

4. The marks filed will be formally examined at the Trademark office;

5. The marks will then be duly published in the official journal upon examination;

6. Upon publication, the mark will be open to third party opposition but thus far the opposition period has not been defined by the government;

7. In case of an opposition is filed, the opposition proceeding then will take place in an IP court;

8. The initial and subsequent term of registration would be 10 years from the date of application;

9. The renewal request can be filed six (06) months before the expiry of trademark registration.

商标法正式实施的相关信息和要求

1、 所有根据现有/旧法已注册的商标，若未在过渡期内重报，新法正式实施后，可能被任何第三方抢注；

2、 任何人均可提交新的商标申请；

3、 新申请的商标可能经历异议程序；

4、 商标局将对新申请的商标进行实质审查；

5、 审查结束后，商标将在官方期刊上予以公告；

6、 公告期内，任何第三方可对商标提出异议申请。但截止目前，缅甸政府尚未公布有关商标异议的期限及其他相关规则；

7、 若被第三方异议，则异议程序在缅甸知识产权法院进行；

8、 商标有效期为申请日起算十年；

9、 商标续展可在有效期截止前6个月提出。

We will closely monitor the development about the enforcement of the new trademark law (e.g. the form of required document, exact fee for re-filing) in Myanmar and update in a timely manner.

我们会实时关注缅甸新商标法的更多实施细则并及时公布。