Patent Office reduces trademark fees

The Patent Office has cut the fees payable for additional types of trademark from 125 to 50 per class, due to the increased demand for registration since the 1994 Trademarks Act. The act broadened the definition of what could be registered as a trademark, making it possible to register 3D shapes, colours and even sounds or smells as long as they are distinctive to the goods or services offered. As a result, applications to the Patent Office have risen by 44 per cent, from 30 652 in 1994 to 44 220 in 1995.