Glossary
A
- Absolute grounds
These are grounds for objecting to a trade mark arising from the trade mark itself. They can be raised by UK-IPO in examination of any application for a trade mark or by a third party prior to grant.
- Acquiescence
Describes a period of 5 years where the owner of an earlier right has knowingly acquiesced on the use of a registered trade Mark by another. This usually results in a loss of certain rights associated with ownership of a registered trade mark.
- Address for service
An address within the EU to which all correspondance relating to a trade mark will be sent to be the UK-IPO.
- Alteration
Once granted, a registered trade mark can only be altered in relation to any name and address contained within the trade mark.
- Amendment
Once an application for a trade mark has been published, certain limited amendments may be made to the application provided they do not substantially affect the identity of the trade mark applied for.
- Appeal
There are certain rights to appeal the decisions of the UK-IPO. For example, decisions of the UK-IPO can be appealed to the Appointed Person or to the courts.
- Appellations of Origin
These are special trade marks that relate to a particular locality or product that can only be used by producers of those products or those based in that locality; ie, Parma Ham and Champagne
- Applicant
The party (person, persons or company) making a formal application before the UK-IPO.
- Appointed Person
A senior independent intellectual property lawyer appointed to hear appeals from decisions of the UK-IPO. The Appointed Person offers a cost effective alternative to appealing to the courts.
- Assignee
The party to whom a trade mark or other intellectual property right is transferred.
- Assignment
The document used to transfer a trade mark or other intellectual property right from one party to another. Assignment of registered trade marks should be promptly recorded at the UK-IPO or certain rights may be lost until recordal is completed.
- Assignor
The party transferring a trade mark or other intellectual property right to another.
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