Trademark Law of the People's Republic of China (Adopted at the 24th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Fifth National People's Congress on August 23, 1982 and promulgated by Order No.10 of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on August 23, 1982; amended for the first time in accordance with the Decision on Revising the Trademark Law of the People's Republic of China adopted at the 30th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Seventh National People's Congress on February 22, 1993; and amended for the second time in accordance with the Decision on Revising the Trademark Law of the People's Republic of China adopted at the 24th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress on October 27, 2001)
Contents
Chapter I General Provisions
Chapter II Application for Trademark Registration
Chapter III Examination and Approval of Trademark Registration
Chapter IV Renewal, Assignment and Licensing of Registered Trademarks
Chapter V Determination of Disputes Concerning Registered Trademarks
Chapter VI Administrative Control of the Use of Trademarks
Chapter VII Protection of the Exclusive Right to the Use of a Registered Trademark
Chapter VIII Supplementary Provisions
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 This Law is enacted for the purpose of improving the administration of trademarks, protecting the exclusive right to the use of a trademark, and encouraging producers and dealers to guarantee the quality of their goods and services and preserve the credibility of trademarks, so as to protect the interests of consumers, producers and dealers and promote the development of the socialist market economy.
Article 2 The Trademark Office of the administrative department for industry and commerce under the State Council shall be in charge of the work of trademark registration and administration throughout the country.
The administrative department for industry and commerce under the State Council shall establish a Trademark Review and Adjudication Board to be responsible for handling trademark disputes.
Article 3 Registered trademarks refer to trademarks that are registered with the approval of the Trademark Office, including trademarks for goods and services, collective trademarks and certification trademarks. The owner of a registered trademark shall enjoy the exclusive right to the use of the trademark, which shall be protected by law.
For purposes of this Law, a collective trademark refers to one that is registered in the name of a group, association, or any other organization for use in business by its members to indicate membership.
For purposes of this Law, a certification trademark refers to one that is controlled by an organization which is capable of exercising supervision over a particular kind of goods or services and that is used by a unit other than the organization or by an individual for its or his goods or services, and is designed to certify the indications of the place of origin, raw materials, mode of manufacture, quality, or other specified properties of the said goods or services.
Particulars pertaining to the registration and administration of collective trademarks and certification trademarks shall be formulated by the administrative department for industry and commerce under the State Council.
Article 4 Any natural person, legal person, or other organization that needs to acquire the exclusive right to the use of a trademark for the goods or he produces, manufactures, processes, selects, or markets shall file an application for registration of the trademark of the goods with the Trademark Office.
Any natural person, legal person, or other organization that needs to acquire the exclusive right to the use of a service trademark for the services it or he provides shall file an application for registration of the service trademark with the Trademark Office.
Provisions regarding the goods trademarks in this Law shall be applicable to service trademarks.
Article 5 Two or more natural persons, legal persons, or other organizations may jointly file an application with the Trademark Office for the registration of one and the same trademark and jointly enjoy and exercise the exclusive right to the use of the trademark.
Article 6 With respect to goods on which the State requires the use of a registered trademark, an application for trademark registration shall be filed; the goods may not be sold on the market before registration is granted.
Article 7 The user of a trademark shall be responsible for the quality of the goods on which the trademark is used. The administrative departments for industry and commerce at all levels shall, through the administration of trademarks, put an end to any practice that deceives consumers.
Article 8 Any visible sign that can serve to distinguish the goods of a natural person, legal person, or other organization from those of another, including any word, design, letter of the alphabet, numeral, three-dimensional symbol and color combination, or any combination of the above, may be made a trademark for application for registration.
Article 9 A trademark submitted for registration shall bear noticeable characteristics and be readily distinguishable, and it may not conflict with the legitimate rights obtained by others earlier.
A trademark registrant shall have the right to indicate the wording "Registered Trademark" or the sign showing that the trademark is registered.
Article 10 None of the following signs may be used as trademarks:
(1)those identical with or similar to the State name, national flag, national emblem, military flag, or decorations, of the People's Republic of China; those identical with the
names of the specific locations that are seats of central state organs; or those identical with the names or designs of landmark buildings;
(2)those identical with or similar to the state names, national flags, national emblems or military flags of foreign countries, with the exception of those the use of which is permitted by the government of the country concerned;
(3)those identical with or similar to the names, flags or emblems of international inter- governmental organizations, with the exception of those the use of which is permitted by the organization concerned or is not liable to mislead the public;
(4)those identical with or similar to an official mark or inspection stamp that indicates control and guarantee, except where authorized;
(5)those identical with or similar to the symbol or name of the Red Cross or the Red Crescent;
(6)those having the nature of discrimination against any nationality;
(7)those constituting exaggerated and deceitful advertising; and
(8)those detrimental to socialist ethics or customs, or having other unwholesome influences.
No geographical names of administrative divisions at or above the county level or foreign geographical names known to the public may be used as trademarks, except where geographical names have other meanings or constitute part of a collective trademark or certification trademark. Registered trademarks in which geographical names are sued shall remain valid.
Article 11 None of the following marks may be registered as trademarks:
(1)where the mark bears only the generic name, design, or model number of the goods concerned;
(2)where it just directly indicates the quality, principal raw materials, function, use, weight, quantity or other features of the goods; and
(3)where distinctive characteristics are lacking.
Any mark mentioned in the preceding paragraph may be registered as a trademark if it has acquired distinctive features through use and is readily distinguishable.
Article 12 No application for registration of a three-dimensional sign as a trademark may be granted, where the sign merely indicates the shape inherent in the nature of the goods concerned, or it is only dictated by the need to achieve technical effects or the need to give the goods substantive value.
Article 13 Where the trademark of an identical or similar kind of goods is a reproduction, imitation, or translation of another person's well-known trademark not registered in China and is liable to cause public confusion, no application for its registration may be granted and its use shall be prohibited.
Where the trademark of a different or dissimilar kind of goods is a reproduction, imitation, or translation of another person's well-known trademark not registered in China and it misleads the public so that the interests of the owner of the registered well- known trademark are likely to be impaired, no application for its registration may be granted and its use shall be prohibited.
Article 14 The following factors shall be considered in determining whether or not a trademark is a well-known one:
(1)the degree of public recognition in its trading areas;
(2)the duration in which it has been in use;
(3)the duration and extent of its advertising, and the geographical areas the advertising has covered;
(4)the records of protection it has gained as well-known trademark; and
(5)other factors serving to make it well known.
Article 15 Where an agent or representative, without authorization of the client, seeks to register in its own name the client's trademark and the client objects, the trademark shall not be registered and its use shall be prohibited.
Article 16 Where a trademark bears a geographical indication of the goods when the place indicated is not the origin of the goods in question, thus misleading the public, the trademark shall not be registered and its use shall be prohibited. However, where the registration is obtained in goodwill, it shall remain valid.
The geographical indication mentioned in the preceding paragraph means the origin of the goods the special qualities, credibility or other characteristics of the goods and it is primarily determined by the natural factors or other humanistic factors of the place indicated.
Article 17 Where a foreigner or foreign enterprise applies for trademark registration in China, the matter shall be handled in accordance with any agreement concluded between the country to which the applicant belongs and the People's Republic of China, or any international treaty to which both countries are parties, or on the basis of the principle of reciprocity.
Article 18 Where a foreigner or foreign enterprise intends to apply for the registration of a trademark or handle other trademark matters in China shall entrust an organization that is approved by the State and is qualified for serving as a trademark agent.
Chapter II Application for Trademark Registration
Article 19 An applicant for trademark registration shall fill in the specified form of classification of goods as to the class and trade name designation of the goods on which the trademark is to be used.
Article 20 If an applicant intends to use the same trademark on goods in different classes, he shall submit an application for each class on the basis of the specified form of classification of goods.
Article 21 If a registered trademark needs to be used on other goods of the same class, a separate application for registration shall be filed.
Article 22 If a change needs to be made in the signs of a registered trademark, an application shall be filed anew.
Article 23 If a change needs to be made in the name or address of the owner of a registered trademark or in any other registered matter, an application for the change shall be filed.
Article 24 Where an applicant, within six months from the date he applies for registration of his trademark for the fist time in a foreign country, again applies in China for registration of one and the same trademark for the same goods, he may, in accordance with any agreement concluded between the foreign country concerned and the People's Republic of China or any international treaty to which both countries are parties, or on the basis of the priority principle mutually accepted, enjoy priority.
Where, in accordance with the preceding paragraph, an applicant claims priority, he shall so state in writing at the time when he files the application for trademark registration and shall, within three months, submit a copy of the original application he files for the first time. Failure on the part of the applicant to make the statement in writing or to submit a copy of the original application before the expiration of the time limit shall be regarded as not claiming priority.
Article 25 The applicant for registration of a trademark that is used for the first time on goods displayed at an international exhibition organized or recognized by the Chinese Government may, within six months from the date the said goods are placed on exhibition, enjoy priority.
Where, in accordance with the preceding paragraph, an applicant claims priority, he shall so state in writing at the time when he files the application for trademark registration and shall, within three months, submit the name of the exhibition, evidence supporting the use of the trademark on the goods displayed, documents proving the date the exhibition, etc. failure to make the statement in writing or to submit the documents before the expiration of the time limit shall be regarded as not claiming priority.
Article 26 Matters stated in the application for trademark registration and all information provided shall be truthful, accurate and complete.
Chapter III Examination and Approval of Trademark Registration
Article 27 Any trademark, for the registration of which an application is made, conforms to the relevant provisions of this Law shall undergo preliminary examination and approval by the Trademark Office, which shall announce it.
Article 28 Where a trademark, for the registration of which an application is made, that does not conform to the relevant provisions of this Law or that is identical with or similar to the trademark already registered by another person or is given preliminary examination and approval for use on the same kind of goods or similar goods, the Trademark Office shall reject the application and shall not announce that trademark.
Article 29 Where two or more applicants apply to register identical or similar trademarks for use on the same kind of goods or similar goods, the Trademark Office shall first conduct examination of, give approval to and announce the trademark whose registration is applied for earlier than the rest. Where the applications are filed on the same day, the Trademark Office shall first examine, give approval to and announce the trademark which is used earlier that the rest, and it shall reject the applications for registration of the other trademarks and shall not announce them.
Article 30 Any person may, within three months from the date a trademark is announced, raised an objection to the trademark that has undergone preliminary examination and obtained approval. Where no objection is raised at the expiration of the time limit, the trademark shall be registered upon approval, a trademark registration certificate shall be issued, and the matter shall be announced.
Article 31 No applicant for trademark application may infringe upon another person's existing prior rights, nor may he, by illegitimate means, rush to register a trademark that is already in use by another person and has certain influence.
Article 32 Where an application for trademark registration is rejected and the trademark is not announced, the Trademark Office shall notify the applicant of the matter in writing. Where the applicant is dissatisfied, he may, within fifteen days from date the notification is received, apply to the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board for review, and the Board shall make a decision and notify the applicant of its decision in writing.
Where the applicant is dissatisfied with the decision of the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board, he may, within 30 days from the date the notification is received, bring a suit in a People's Court.
Article 33 Where an objection is raised against a trademark that has undergone preliminary examination has been given approval and announced, the Trademark Office shall hear the facts and reasons stated by the objector and the objected and shall make a decision after investigation and verification. Where a party is dissatisfied with the decision, it may, within 15 days from the date the notification is received, apply to the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board for a review. The Board shall give a ruling and notify both the objector and the objected in writing.
Where a party is dissatisfied with the ruling of the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board, it may, within 30 days from the date the notification is received, bring a suit in a People's Court. The People's Court shall notify the other party involved in the trademark review proceedings to participate in the proceedings as the third party.
Article 34 Where a party does not apply to the Trademark Office for a review of the Office's decision or bring a suit in a People's Court against the ruling of the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board within the statutory limit, the decision and ruling shall go into effect.
Where it is determined that the objection is not justified, the trademark shall be registered upon approval, a trademark registration certificate shall e issued, and the trademark shall be announced. Where it is determined that the objection is justified, no approval shall be granted for registration of he trademark.
Where it is determined that the objection is not justified and approval is granted to registration of the trademark, the date on which the applicant for trademark registration obtains its exclusive right to the use o the trademark shall be counted from the day on which the three months following the preliminary examination and announcement of the trademark expire.
Article 35 Applications for trademark registration and for review shall be examined without delay.
Article 36 Where an applicant for trademark registration or a registrant discovers an obvious error in the trademark application or registration documents, he may apply for its correction. The Trademark Office shall, in accordance with law and within the limits of its functions and powers, make the correction and shall notify the party of the matter.
The correction of errors mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall not involve substantive matters in the application or registration documents.
Chapter IV Renewal, Assignment and Licensing of Registered Trademarks
Article 37 The period of validity of a registered trademark shall be 10 years, counted from the day the registration is approved.
Article 38 If an owner needs to continue to use his registered trademark after the period of validity expires, an application for renewal of registration shall be made within six months before the expiration. If the owner fails to do so within that period of time, an extension period of six months may be granted. If no application is filed before the extension period expires, the registered trademark shall be cancelled.
The period of validity for each renewal of registration shall be 10 years.
After renewal of registration is approved, it shall be announced.
Article 39 To assign a registered trademark, the assignor and assignee shall sign an assignment agreement and jointly file an application with the Trademark Office. The assignee shall guarantee the quality of the goods on which the registered trademark is used.
After the assignment of a registered trademark is approved, it shall be announced. The assignee shall enjoy the exclusive right to the use of the trademark starting from the date the announcement is made.
Article 40 The owner of a registered trademark may, by concluding a trademark licensing contract, authorize another person to use his registered trademark. The licensor shall supervise the quality of the goods on which the licensee uses his registered trademark, and the licensee shall guarantee the quality of the goods on which the registered trademark is to be used.
If any person is authorized to use the registered trademark of another person, the name of the licensee and the origin of the goods shall be indicated on the goods that bear the registered trademark.
The trademark licensing contract shall be submitted to the Trademark Office for the record.
Chapter V Determination of Disputes Concerning Registered Trademarks
Article 41 Where a trademark is registered in violation of the provisions of Article 10, 11, or 12 of this Law, or it is registered by deceitful or other illegitimate means, the Trademark Office shall cancel the trademark. Any unit or individual may request that the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board make a ruling to cancel such a registered trademark.
Where a trademark is registered in violation of the provisions of Article 13, 15, 16, or 31 of this Law, the owner of the trademark or any interested party may, within five years from the date the trademark is registered, request that the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board make a ruling to cancel the trademark. Where the trademark is registered with ill will, the owner of the well-known trademark shall not be limited by the five-year period.
In addition to circumstances specified in the preceding two paragraphs, any person who intends to take issue on a registered trademark may, within five years from the date the trademark is registered upon approval, apply to the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board for a ruling.
After receiving the application for a ruling, the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board shall notify the parties concerned and ask them to put forward their arguments within a specified time limit.
Article 42 With regard to a trademark against which objections are raised and on which a ruling is made prior to its registration with approval, the same facts and reasons may not be used in another application for a ruling.
Article 43 After the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board has made a ruling either to maintain or to revoke a registered trademark, it shall notify the party concerned of the ruling in writing.
Where the party is dissatisfied with the ruling of the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board, he may, within 30 days from the date the notification is received, bring a suit in a People's Court. The People's Court shall notify the other party involved in the trademark adjudication proceedings to take part in the legal proceedings as the third party.
Chapter VI Administrative Control of the Use of Trademarks
Article 44 Where a trademark user commits any of the following acts, the Trademark Office shall order it to rectify the situation within a time limit or revoke the registered trademark:
(1)altering the registered trademark by himself;
(2)altering the name, address, or other particulars in the registration by himself;
(3)assigning the trademark by himself; or
(4)ceasing the use of the registered trademark for three consecutive years.
Article 45 If registered trademarks are used on coarsely manufactured goods that are passed off as quality goods, thus deceiving consumers, the administrative departments for industry and commerce at various levels shall, on the merits of each case, order rectification of the situation within a time limit and may, in addition, circulate a notice on the matter or impose a fine, or the Trademark Office may revoke the registered trademarks.
Article 46 If a registered trademark is revoked or is not renewed at the expiration of its period of validity, the Trademark Office shall not approve any application for the registration of a trademark identical with or similar to the said trademark within one year from the date it is revoked or cancelled.
Article 47 In the event of a violation of the provisions of Article 5 of this Law, the local administrative department for industry and commerce shall order the violator to file an application for registration within a time limit and may, in addition, impose a fine.
Article 48 Where a person commits any of the following acts by using an unregistered trademark, the local administrative department for industry and commerce shall stop him from using the trademark, order him to make rectification within a time limit and may, in addition, circulate a notice on the matter or impose a fine:
(1) passing off the trademark as a registered one;
(2) violating the provisions of Article 8 of this Law; or
(3) using the trademark on coarsely manufactured goods that are passed off as quality goods, thus deceiving consumers.
Article 49 Where a party is dissatisfied with the decision made by the Trademark Office to revoke his registered trademark, he may, within 15 days from the date the notification is received, apply to the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board for a review. The Trademark Review and Adjudication Board shall make a decision and notify the applicant in writing.
Where the party is dissatisfied with the decision of the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board, it may, within 30 days from the date the notification is received, bring a suit in a People's Court.
Article 50 Where the party is dissatisfied with the decision made by the administrative department for industry and commerce to impose a fine under Article 45, 47, or 48 of this Law, he may, within 15 days from the date the notification is received, bring a suit in a People's Court. If the party neither brings a suit at the expiration of the time limit nor complies with the decision, the administrative department for industry and commerce concerned shall request the People's Court to enforce the decision.
Chapter VII Protection of the Exclusive Right to the Use of a Registered Trademark
Article 51 The exclusive right to the use of a registered trademark shall be limited to trademarks which are registered upon approval and to goods the use of a trademark on which is approved.
Article 52 Any of the following acts shall constitute an infringement on the exclusive rights to the use of a registered trademark:
(1)using a trademark that is identical with or similar to the registered trademark on the same or similar goods without permission of the owner of the registered trademark;
(2)selling goods that infringe on the exclusive right to the use of a registered trademark;
(3)counterfeiting, or making without authorization, representations of another person's registered trademark, or selling such representations;
(4)altering a registered trademark without permission of its owner and selling goods bearing such an altered trademark on the market; and
(5)impairing in other manners another person's exclusive right to the use of its registered trademark.
Article 53 When a dispute arises as a result of any of the acts infringing upon another person's exclusive right to the use of a registered trademark as mentioned in Article 52 of this Law, the parties involved shall settle the dispute through consultation. Where the parties are not willing to do so or where consultation fails, the owner of the registered trademark or any interested party may bring a suit in a People's Court or request the administrative department for industry and commerce to handle the matter. When the said department determines that the fact of infringement is established, it shall order the infringer to cease infringing upon that right immediately, and it shall confiscate and destroy the goods involved and the tools specially used to manufacture the said goods and counterfeit the representations of the registered trademark, and may also impose a fine. Where the party is dissatisfied with the decision of the department, he may, within 15 days from the date the notification is received, bring a suit in a People's Court in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China. Where the infringer neither brings a suit at the expiration of the time limit nor complies with the decision, the administrative department for industry and commerce may request the People's Court to enforce its decision. The administrative department for industry and commerce that handles the dispute may, as requested by the party, mediate as a settlement on the amount of compensation for the infringement of the exclusive right to the use of the trademark. Where mediation fails, the party may, in accordance with the Civil Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China, bring a suit in a People's Court.
Article 54 The administrative department for industry and commerce shall have the power to investigate any act infringing upon the exclusive right to the use of a registered trademark. Where a crime is suspected to have been committed, it shall promptly transfer the case to a judicial department for handling in accordance with law.
Article 55 When an administrative department for industry and commerce at or above the county level, on the basis of the evidence or information, obtained for a suspected violation of law, conducts investigation into a suspected infringement of another person's exclusive right to the use of a registered trademark, it may exercise the following functions and powers:
(1)questioning the parties concerned to find out the facts regarding the infringement of another person's exclusive right to the use of a registered trademark;
(2)checking and reproducing the parties' contracts, invoices, account books, and other materials relating to the infringement;
(3)conducting on-the-spot inspection of the premises where the suspected party carries out activities infringing upon another person's exclusive right to the use of a registered trademark; and
(4)inspecting articles involved in the infringement; sealing or seizing the articles that are proven to been used for infringing upon another person's exclusive right to the use of a registered trademark.
When the administrative department for industry and commerce exercises the functions and powers provided for in the preceding paragraph in accordance with law, the parties shall assist and cooperate with it and may not refuse to do so or stand in its way.
Article 56 The amount of compensation for infringement of the exclusive right to the use of a trademark shall be the amount of the profits that the infringer has earned as a result of the infringement during the period of the infringement, or the amount of the losses that the infringed has suffered as a result of the infringement during the period of the infringement, including any reasonable expenses the infringed has paid in its effort to put an end to the infringement.
Where the profits earned by the infringer or the losses suffered by the infringed as a result of the infringement, as mentioned in the preceding paragraph, are hard to determine, the People's Court shall, on the basis of the circumstances of the infringement, decide to make it not more than RMB 500,000 yuan.
Where a person unknowingly sells goods which represent an infringement upon another person's exclusive right to the use of a registered trademark but can prove that they are obtained by himself lawfully and can identify the supplier, he shall not bear the liability to pay compensation.
Article 57 Where the owner of a registered trademark or any interested party has evidence proving that another party is committing or will soon commit an act that infringes upon his exclusive right to the use of its registered trademark and that, unless it is stopped promptly, will cause irreparable harm to his legitimate rights and interests, he may, before filing a lawsuit, apply to the People's Court for ordering the cease of the act and for adopting measures to preserve his property.
In handling the application mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the People's Court shall apply the provisions in Articles 93 through 96 and in Article 99 of the Civil Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China.
Article 58 In order to put a stop to an infringement, the owner of a registered trademark or the interested party may, under conditions where evidence may be missing or become unobtainable in future and prior to filing a lawsuit, apply to the People's Court for preserving the evidence.
The People's Court shall make a ruling within 48 hours from the time it accepts the application. Once a ruling to have the evidence preserved is made, it shall be enforced immediately.
The People's Court may order the applicant to provide a surety. Where no surety is provided, the People's Court may reject the application.
Where the applicant fails to bring a lawsuit within 15 days after the People's Court adopts the preservation measure, the People's Court shall rescind the measure.
Article 59 Where a person, without permission of the owner of a registered trademark, uses a trademark that is identical with the owner's on the same kind of goods, which constitutes a crime, he shall, in addition to compensating losses suffered by the infringed, be investigated for criminal responsibility in accordance with law.
Anyone who counterfeits or makes without permission the representations of another person's registered trademark or sells such representations which constitutes a crime, shall, in addition to compensating the losses suffered by the infringed, be investigated for criminal responsibility in accordance with law.
Anyone who knowingly sells goods bearing counterfeit registered trademarks, which constitutes a crime, shall, in addition to compensating the losses suffered by the infringed, be investigated for criminal responsibility in accordance with law.
Article 60 Functionaries of State organs engaged in trademark registration, administration, and review shall be impartial in implementing the law, honest and self- disciplined, and devoted to their duties, and shall provide services with civility.
No functionaries of State organs working in the Trademark Office and the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board or engaged in trademark registration, administration, and review may work for trademark agencies or engage in the manufacture or marketing of goods.
Article 61 Administrative departments or industry and commerce shall establish and improve an internal supervision system to supervise and inspect the way State organ functionaries in charge of trademark registration, administration, and review implement laws and administrative regulations and observe discipline.
Article 62 Where a State organ functionary working in trademark registration, administration, and review neglects his duty, abuses his power, and engages in malpractice for personal gain, violates the law in trademark registration, administration, and review, accepts money or things of value from a party, or seeks illegitimate interests, and where the case is so serious as to constitute a crime, he shall be investigated for criminal responsibility in accordance with law. Where the case does not constitute a crime, he shall be given administrative sanction in accordance with law.
Chapter VIII Supplementary Provisions
Article 63 Applicants for trademark registration and persons having other trademark matters handled shall pay a fee, the specific rates of which shall be determined separately.
Article 64 This Law shall go into effect as of March 1, 1983. The Regulations on Trademark Administration promulgated by the State Council on April 10, 1963 shall be annulled simultaneously, and any other provisions concerning trademark administration that conflict with the provisions of this Law shall be nullified at the same time.
Trademarks registered before this Law goes into effect shall remain valid.
中华人民共和国商标法 （１９８２年８月２３日第五届全国人民 代表大会常务委员会第二十四次会议通过 根据１９９３年２月２２日第七届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第三十次会议《关于修改〈中华人民共和国商标法〉的决 定》第一次修正 根据２００１年１０月２７日第九届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第二十四次会议《关于修改〈中华人民共和国商标法〉的决定》第二次修正）
第一章 总则
第一条 【立法目的】为了加强商标管理，保护商标专用权，促使生产、经营者保证商品和服务 质量，维护商标信誉，以保障消费者和生产、经营者的利益，促进社会主义市场经济的发展，特制定本法。
第二条 【商标局】国务院工商行政管理部门商标局主管全国商标注册和管理的工作。 国务院工商行政管理部门设立商标评审委员会，负责处理商标争议事宜。
第三条 【商标专用权的取得与保护】经商标局核准注册的商标为注册商标，包括商品商标、服务 商标和集体商标、证明商标；商标注册人享有商标专用权，受法律保护。 本法所称集体商标，是指以团体、协会或者其他组织名义注册，供该组织成员 在商事活动中使用，以表明使用者在该组织中的成员资格的标志。 本法所称证明商标，是指由对某种商品或者服务具有监督能力的组织所控制，而由该 组织以外的单位或者个人使用于其商品或者服务，用以证明该商品或者服务的原产地、原料、制造方法、质量或者其他特定品质的标志。 集体商标、证 明商标注册和管理的特殊事项，由国务院工商行政管理部门规定。
第四条 【商标注册申请】自然人、法人或者其他组织对其生产、制造、加工、拣选或者经销的商 品，需要取得商标专用权的，应当向商标局申请商品商标注册。 自然人、法人或者其他组织对其提供的服务项目，需要取得商标专用权的，应当向商标 局申请服务商标注册。 本法有关商品商标的规定，适用于服务商标。
第五条 【共同申请】两个以上的自然人、法人或者其他组织可以共同向商标局申请注册同一商 标，共同享有和行使该商标专用权。
第六条 【强制注册】国家规定必须使用注册商标的商品，必须申请商标注册，未经核准注册的，不得在市场销售。
第七条 【使用商标的商品质量管理】商标使用人应当对其使用商标的商品质量负责。各级工商 行政管理部门应当通过商标管理，制止欺骗消费者的行为。
第八条 【可作为商标的可视性标志】任何能够将自然人、法人或者其他组织的商品与他人的商品区别开的可视性标志，包括文字、图 形、字母、数字、三维标志和颜色组合，以及上述要素的组合，均可以作为商标申请注册。
第九条 【商标的构成】申请注册的商标，应当有显著特征，便于识别，并不得与他人在先取得的 合法权利相冲突。 商标注册人有权标明“注册商标”或者注册标记。
第十条 【禁止作为商标使用的文字、图形】下列标志不得作为商标使用： （一）同 中华人民共和国的国家名称、国旗、国徽、军旗、勋章相同或者近似的，以及同中央国家机关所在地特定地点的名称或者标志性建筑物的名称、图形相同的； （二）同外国的国家名称、国旗、国徽、军旗相同或者近似的，但该国政府同意的除外； （三）同政府间国际组织的名称、旗帜、徽记相同或者近似 的，但经该组织同意或者不易误导公众的除外； （四）与表明实施控制、予以保证的官方标志、检验印记相同或者近似的，但经授权的除外； （五）同“红十字”、“红新月”的名称、标志相同或者近似的； （六）带有民族歧视性的； （七）夸大宣传并带有欺骗性的； （八）有害于社会主义道德风尚或者有其他不良影响的。 县级以上行政区划的地名或者公众知晓的外国地名，不得作为商标。但是，地名具有其他含 义或者作为集体商标、证明商标组成部分的除外；已经注册的使用地名的商标继续有效。
第十一条 【禁止作为商标使用的标志】下列标志不得作为商标注册： （一）仅有本 商品的通用名称、图形、型号的； （二）仅仅直接表示商品的质量、主要原料、功能、用途、重量、数量及其他特点的； （三）缺乏显著 特征的。 前款所列标志经过使用取得显著特征，并便于识别的，可以作为商标注册。
第十二条 【禁止作为商标使用的商品性状】以三维标志申请注册商标的，仅由商品自身的性质 产生的形状、为获得技术效果而需有的商品形状或者使商品具有实质性价值的形状，不得注册。
第十三条 【禁止使用复制、摹仿或翻译他人的驰名商标】就相同或者类似商品申请注册的商标是 复制、摹仿或者翻译他人未在中国注册的驰名商标，容易导致混淆的，不予注册并禁止使用。 就不相同或者不相类似商品申请注册的商标是复制、摹仿 或者翻译他人已经在中国注册的驰名商标，误导公众，致使该驰名商标注册人的利益可能受到损害的，不予注册并禁止使用。
第十四条 【驰名商标的认定标准】认定驰名商标应当考虑下 列因素： （一）相关公众对该商标的知晓程度； （二）该商标使用的持续时间； （三）该商标的任何宣传工作的持续时间、 程度和地理范围； （四）该商标作为驰名商标受保护的记录； （五）该商标驰名的其他因素。
第十五条 【代理活动中的商标异议】未经授权，代理人或者 代表人以自己的名义将被代理人或者被代表人的商标进行注册，被代理人或者被代表人提出异议的，不予注册并禁止使用。
第十六条 【商标中的地理标志】商标中有商品的地理标志， 而该商品并非来源于该标志所标示的地区，误导公众的，不予注册并禁止使用；但是，已经善意取得注册的继续有效。 前款所称地理标志，是指标示某 商品来源于某地区，该商品的特定质量、信誉或者其他特征，主要由该地区的自然因素或者人文因素所决定的标志。
第十七条 【外国商标在我国注册的基本原则】外国人或者外 国企业在中国申请商标注册的，应当按其所属国和中华人民共和国签订的协议或者共同参加的国际条约办理，或者按对等原则办理。
第十八条 【商标代理】外国人或者外国企业在中国申请商标 注册和办理其他商标事宜的，应当委托国家认可的具有商标代理资格的组织代理。
第 二章 商标注册的申请
第十九条 【商标注册申请的提出】申请商标注册的，应当按规定的商品分类表填报使用商标的商品类别和商品名称。
第二十条 【一种商标一份申请原则】商标注册申请人在不同类别的商品上申请注册同一商标 的，应当按商品分类表提出注册申请。
第二十一条 【注册商标扩大使用范围的另行申请】注册商标需要在同一类的其他商品上使用的，应当另行提出注册申请。
第二十二条 【注册商标改变标志的重新申请】注册商标需要改变其标志的，应当重新提出注册 申请。
第二十三条 【注册商 标的变更申请】注册商标需要变更注册人的名义、地址或者其他注册事项的，应当提出变更申请。
第二十四条 【已在国外申请的商标在中国申请优先权的取得及程序】商标注册申请人自其商标 在外国第一次提出商标注册申请之日起六个月内，又在中国就相同商品以同一商标提出商标注册申请的，依照该外国同中国签订的协议或者共同参加的国际条约，或 者按照相互承认优先权的原则，可以享有优先权。 依照前款要求优先权的，应当在提出商标注册申请的时候提出书面声明，并且在三个月内提交第一次 提出的商标注册申请文件的副本；未提出书面声明或者逾期未提交商标注册申请文件副本的，视为未要求优先权。
第二十五条 【在国际展览会上首次使用的商标优先权的取得 及程序】商标在中国政府主办的或者承认的国际展览会展出的商品上首次使用的，自该商品展出之日起六个月内，该商标的注册申请人可以享有优先权。 依照前款要求优先权的，应当在提出商标注册申请的时候提出书面声明，并且在三个月内提交展出其商品的展览会名称、在展出商品上使用该商标的证据、展出日 期等证明文件；未提出书面声明或者逾期未提交证明文件的，视为未要求优先权。
第二十六条 【申报材料的真实、准确、完整】为申请商标注册所申报的事项和所提供的材料应当 真实、准确、完整。
第三章 商标注册的审查和核准
第二十七条 【初步审定并公告】申请注册的商标，凡符合 本法有关规定的，由商标局初步审定，予以公告。
第二 十八条 【商标注册申请的驳回】申请注册的商标，凡不符合本法有关规定或者同他人在同一种商品或者类似商品上已经注册的或者初步审 定的商标相同或者近似的，由商标局驳回申请，不予公告。
第二十九条 【申请在先原则】两个或者两个以上的商标注册申请人，在同一种商品或者类似商品上，以相同或者近似的商标申请注册 的，初步审定并公告申请在先的商标；同一天申请的，初步审定并公告使用在先的商标，驳回其他人的申请，不予公告。
第三十条 【商标异议】对初步审定的商标，自公告之日起三 个月内，任何人均可以提出异议。公告期满无异议的，予以核准注册，发给商标注册证，并予公告。
第三十一条 【不得损害他人在先权利、不得抢先注册】申请商标注册不得损害他人现有的在先 权利，也不得以不正当手段抢先注册他人已经使用并有一定影响的商标。
第三十二条 【驳回商标的复审】对驳回申请、不予公告的商标，商标局应当书面通知商标注册申 请人。商标注册申请人不服的，可以自收到通知之日起十五日内向商标评审委员会申请复审，由商标评审委员会做出决定，并书面通知申请人。 当事人 对商标评审委员会的决定不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三十日内向人民法院起诉。
第三十三条 【商标异议的复审】对初步审定、予以公告的商标提出异议的，商标局应当听取异议 人和被异议人陈述事实和理由，经调查核实后，做出裁定。当事人不服的，可以自收到通知之日起十五日内向商标评审委员会申请复审，由商标评审委员会做出裁 定，并书面通知异议人和被异议人。 当事人对商标评审委员会的裁定不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三十日内向人民法院起诉。人民法院应当通知商标 复审程序的对方当事人作为第三人参加诉讼。
第三十四 条 【对异议的裁定】当事人在法定期限内对商标局做出的裁定不申请复审或者对商标评审委员会做出的裁定不向人民法院起诉的，裁定生 效。 经裁定异议不能成立的，予以核准注册，发给商标注册证，并予公告；经裁定异议成立的，不予核准注册。 经裁定异议不能成立而核 准注册的，商标注册申请人取得商标专用权的时间自初审公告三个月期满之日起计算。
第三十五条 【及时审查】对商标注册申请和商标复审申请应当及时进行审查。
第三十六条 【申请更正】商标注册申请人或者注册人发现 商标申请文件或者注册文件有明显错误的，可以申请更正。商标局依法在其职权范围内作出更正，并通知当事人。 前款所称更正错误不涉及商标申请文 件或者注册文件的实质性内容。
第四章 注册商标的续展、转让和使用许可
第三十七条 【注册商标的期限】注册商标的有效期为十 年，自核准注册之日起计算。
第三十八条 【注册商标的续展】注册商标有效期满，需要继续使用的，应当在期满前六个月内申请续展注册；在此期间未能提出申请的，可以给予六个月的宽展期。宽展期满仍 未提出申请的，注销其注册商标。 每次续展注册的有效期为十年。 续展注册经核准后，予以公告。
第三十九条 【注册商标的转让】转让注册商标的，转让人和 受让人应当签订转让协议，并共同向商标局提出申请。受让人应当保证使用该注册商标的商品质量。 转让注册商标经核准后，予以公告。受让人自公告 之日起享有商标专用权。
第四十条 【注册商标的使用许可】商标注册人可以通过签订商标使用许可合同，许可他人使用其注册商标。许可人应当监督被许可人使用其注册商标的商品质量。被许可人应 当保证使用该注册商标的商品质量。 经许可使用他人注册商标的，必须在使用该注册商标的商品上标明被许可人的名称和商品产地。 商标 使用许可合同应当报商标局备案。
第五章 注册商标争议的裁定
第四十一条 【注册不当的商标争议及其裁定】已经注册的 商标，违反本法第十条、第十一条、第十二条规定的，或者是以欺骗手段或者其他不正当手段取得注册的，由商标局撤销该注册商标；其他单位或者个人可以请求商 标评审委员会裁定撤销该注册商标。 已经注册的商标，违反本法第十三条、第十五条、第十六条、第三十一条规定的，自商标注册之日起五年内，商标 所有人或者利害关系人可以请求商标评审委员会裁定撤销该注册商标。对恶意注册的，驰名商标所有人不受五年的时间限制。 除前两款规定的情形外， 对已经注册的商标有争议的，可以自该商标经核准注册之日起五年内，向商标评审委员会申请裁定。 商标评审委员会收到裁定申请后，应当通知有关当 事人，并限期提出答辩。
第四十二条 【申请裁定的限制】对核准注册前已经提出异议并经裁定的商标，不得再以相同的事实和理由申请裁定。
第四十三条 【裁定及对裁定的上诉】商标评审委员会做出维持或者撤销注册商标的裁定后，应 当书面通知有关当事人。 当事人对商标评审委员会的裁定不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三十日内向人民法院起诉。人民法院应当通知商标裁定程序的 对方当事人作为第三人参加诉讼。
第六章 商标使用的管理
第四十四条 【注册商标的使用管理】使用注册商标，有下列 行为之一的，由商标局责令限期改正或者撤销其注册商标： （一）自行改变注册商标的； （二）自行改变注册商标的注册人名义、地址或 者其他注册事项的； （三）自行转让注册商标的； （四）连续三年停止使用的。
第四十五条 【对使用注册商标商品的质量管理】使用注册商标，其商品粗制滥造，以次充好， 欺骗消费者的，由各级工商行政管理部门分别不同情况，责令限期改正，并可以予以通报或者处以罚款，或者由商标局撤销其注册商标。
第四十六条 【对已被撤销或注销的商标的管理】注册商标 被撤销的或者期满不再续展的，自撤销或者注销之日起一年内，商标局对与该商标相同或者近似的商标注册申请，不予核准。
第四十七条 【对强制注册商标的商品的管理】违反本法第六 条规定的，由地方工商行政管理部门责令限期申请注册，可以并处罚款。
第四十八条 【未注册商标的管理】使用未注册商标，有下列行为之一的，由地方工商行政管理部 门予以制止，限期改正，并可以予以通报或者处以罚款： （一）冒充注册商标的； （二）违反本法第十条规定的； （三）粗 制滥造，以次充好，欺骗消费者的。
第四十九条 【对撤销注册商标决定的复审】对商标局撤销注册商标的决定，当事人不服的，可以自收到通知之日起十五日内向商标评审委员会申请复审，由商标评审委员会做出 决定，并书面通知申请人。 当事人对商标评审委员会的决定不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三十日内向人民法院起诉。
第五十条 【对决定不服的起诉】对工商行政管理部门根据本 法第四十五条、第四十七条、第四十八条的规定做出的罚款决定，当事人不服的，可以自收到通知之日起十五日内，向人民法院起诉；期满不起诉又不履行的，由有 关工商行政管理部门申请人民法院强制执行。
第七章 注册商标专用权的保护
第五十一条 【商标权的保护范围】注册商标的专用权，以 核准注册的商标和核定使用的商品为限。
第五十二条 【商标侵权行为】有下列行为之一的，均属侵犯注册商标专用权： （一）未经商标注册人的许可，在同一种商品或者类似商品上使用与其注册商标相同 或者近似的商标的； （二）销售侵犯注册商标专用权的商品的； （三）伪造、擅自制造他人注册商标标识或者销售伪造、擅自制造的注册 商标标识的； （四）未经商标注册人同意，更换其注册商标并将该更换商标的商品又投入市场的； （五）给他人的注册商标专用权造成其 他损害的。
第五十三条 【商 标侵权行为的法律责任与行政、司法救济】有本法第五十二条所列侵犯注册商标专用权行为之一，引起纠纷的，由当事人协商解决；不愿协商或者协商不成的，商标 注册人或者利害关系人可以向人民法院起诉，也可以请求工商行政管理部门处理。工商行政管理部门处理时，认定侵权行为成立的，责令立即停止侵权行为，没收、 销毁侵权商品和专门用于制造侵权商品、伪造注册商标标识的工具，并可处以罚款。当事人对处理决定不服的，可以自收到处理通知之日起十五日内依照《中华人民 共和国行政诉讼法》向人民法院起诉；侵权人期满不起诉又不履行的，工商行政管理部门可以申请人民法院强制执行。进行处理的工商行政管理部门根据当事人的请 求，可以就侵犯商标专用权的赔偿数额进行调解；调解不成的，当事人可以依照《中华人民共和国民事诉讼法》向人民法院起诉。
第五十四条 【对商标侵权的行政查处】对侵犯注册商标专用 权的行为，工商行政管理部门有权依法查处；涉嫌犯罪的，应当及时移送司法机关依法处理。
第五十五条 【工商行政管理部门查处商标侵权的职权】县级以上工商行政管理部门根据已经取得 的违法嫌疑证据或者举报，对涉嫌侵犯他人注册商标专用权的行为进行查处时，可以行使下列职权： （一）询问有关当事人，调查与侵犯他人注册商标 专用权有关的情况； （二）查阅、复制当事人与侵权活动有关的合同、发票、账簿以及其他有关资料； （三）对当事人涉嫌从事侵犯他人 注册商标专用权活动的场所实施现场检查； （四）检查与侵权活动有关的物品；对有证据证明是侵犯他人注册商标专用权的物品，可以查封或者扣押。 工商行政管理部门依法行使前款规定的职权时，当事人应当予以协助、配合，不得拒绝、阻挠。
第五十六条 【赔偿数额】侵犯商标专用权的赔偿数额，为侵权人在侵权期间因侵权所获得的利 益，或者被侵权人在被侵权期间因被侵权所受到的损失，包括被侵权人为制止侵权行为所支付的合理开支。 前款所称侵权人因侵权所得利益，或者被侵 权人因被侵权所受损失难以确定的，由人民法院根据侵权行为的情节判决给予五十万元以下的赔偿。 销售不知道是侵犯注册商标专用权的商品，能证明 该商品是自己合法取得的并说明提供者的，不承担赔偿责任。
第五十七条 【诉前财产保全】商标注册人或者利害关系人有证据证明他人正在实施或者即将实施侵犯其注册商标专用权的行为，如不及 时制止，将会使其合法权益受到难以弥补的损害的，可以在起诉前向人民法院申请采取责令停止有关行为和财产保全的措施。 人民法院处理前款申请， 适用《中华人民共和国民事诉讼法》第九十三条至第九十六条和第九十九条的规定。
第五十八条 【证据保全】为制止侵权行为，在证据可能灭失或者以后难以取得的情况下，商标注 册人或者利害关系人可以在起诉前向人民法院申请保全证据。 人民法院接受申请后，必须在四十八小时内做出裁定；裁定采取保全措施的，应当立即开 始执行。 人民法院可以责令申请人提供担保，申请人不提供担保的，驳回申请。 申请人在人民法院采取保全措施后十五日内不起诉的，人 民法院应当解除保全措施。
第五十九条 【刑事责任】未经商标注册人许可，在同一种商品上使用与其注册商标相同的商标，构成犯罪的，除赔偿被侵权人的损失外，依法追究刑事责任。 伪 造、擅自制造他人注册商标标识或者销售伪造、擅自制造的注册商标标识，构成犯罪的，除赔偿被侵权人的损失外，依法追究刑事责任。 销售明知是假 冒注册商标的商品，构成犯罪的，除赔偿被侵权人的损失外，依法追究刑事责任。
第六十条 【执法人员秉公执法的义务】从事商标注册、管理和复审工作的国家机关工作人员必须 秉公执法，廉洁自律，忠于职守，文明服务。 商标局、商标评审委员会以及从事商标注册、管理和复审工作的国家机关工作人员不得从事商标代理业务 和商品生产经营活动。
第六十一条 【执法人员内部监督检查】工商行政管理部门应当建立健全内部监督制度，对负责商标注册、管理和复审工作的国家机关工作人员执行法律、行政法规和遵守纪律的 情况，进行监督检查。
第六十二条 【执法人员违法的责任】从事商标注册、管理和复审工作的国家机关工作人员玩忽职守、滥用职权、徇私舞弊，违法办理商标注册、管理和复审事项，收受当事人财 物，牟取不正当利益，构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任；尚不构成犯罪的，依法给予行政处分。
第八章 附则
第六十三条 【缴纳费用】申请商标注册和办理其他商标事宜的，应当缴纳费用，具体收费标准另定。
第六十四条 【生效日期】本法自１９８３年３月１日起施 行。１９６３年４月１０日国务院公布的《商标管理条例》同时废止；其他有关商标管理的规定，凡与本法抵触的，同时失效。 本法施行前已经注册的 商标继续有效。
发布部门：全国人大常委会 发布日期：2001年10月27日 实施日期：1983年03月01日 (中央法规)