Signs of which trademark may consist; distinctiveness
A trademark shall refer to any sign with distinctiveness, which may, in particular, consist of words, devices, symbols, colors, three-dimensional shapes, motions, holograms, sounds, or any combination thereof.
The term “distinctiveness” used in the preceding paragraph refers to the character of a sign capable of being recognized by relevant consumers as an indication of the source of goods or services and distinguishing goods or services of one undertaking from those of other undertakings.

Application for trademark registration; date of filing
An application for trademark registration shall be made to the Registrar Office by submitting an application containing (the name and address of) the applicant, a reproduction of the trademark, and the list of designated goods or services.
The date of filing of an application for trademark registration is the date on which an application referred to in the preceding paragraph is furnished to the Registrar Office.
The applicant referred to in Paragraph 1 is a natural person, juridical person, partnership, legally established group without juridical personality or business registered in accordance with the Business Registration Act intending to engage in business with regard to designated goods or services.
A reproduction of the trademark shall be represented in a manner that is clear, precise, self-contained, objective, durable, and easily intelligible.
An application for trademark registration shall relate to a single trademark, and may designate goods or services classified in two or more classes.
Classification of goods or services referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be prescribed by the Enforcement Rules of this Act.
The classification of goods or services referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not constrain the determination of similarity of goods or services.
A trademark applicant seeking rights approval promptly may submit facts and reasons, along with the accelerated examination fee, to the Registrar Office to initiate the accelerated examination process. Such examination shall not apply to an application to which a notice of amendment or stating grounds for refusal has been issued by the Registrar Office.

Right of priority; same treatment for certain categories of persons as for nationals of ROC
An applicant who has duly filed an application for trademark registration in a country which has reciprocal recognition of priority rights with the ROC, or filed such application with a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), may claim a right of priority, for the purposes of registering the same trademark in the ROC for some or all the same goods or services, within six months from the day following the date of filing of the first such application.
An applicant of a foreign country which is not a member of the WTO nor a country having reciprocal recognition of priority rights with the ROC, may claim a right of priority pursuant to the preceding paragraph if he/she is domiciled or has a business establishment in the territory of a country which has reciprocal recognition of priority rights with the ROC or in the territory of a member of the WTO.
An applicant who claims priority pursuant to paragraph 1 shall submit a written statement to that effect simultaneously with the application which shall set forth the following:
(1)The date of filing of the first application;
(2)The country or the member of the WTO in which the first application was made; and
(3)The application number of the first application.
The applicant shall submit, within three months from the day following the date of filing of the application, a copy of the application certified as admitted by the country or the member of the WTO referred to in the preceding paragraph.
If an application is not filed pursuant to Subparagraph 1 or Subparagraph 2 of Paragraph 3 or the preceding paragraph, the priority claim thereof shall be deemed not having been made.
If an application is filed with a claim of priority, the date of priority shall count as the date of filing.
If an application is filed with a claim of multiple priorities, the date of each priority shall count as the date of filing of goods or services in respect of such priority.

Right of exhibition priority
If an applicant for a trademark has displayed goods or services under the trademark applied for, at an international exhibition which was held or officially recognized by the Government of the ROC, and if such applicant files the application within a period of six months from the day following the date of the first display of such goods or services, the date of the first display shall count as the date of filing of the application.
The preceding article shall apply mutatis mutandis to applications filed with a claim of exhibition priority under the preceding paragraph.

Filing on same date
If two or more applications for trademark registration relating to identical or similar trademarks which designate identical or similar goods or services are filed separately by different applicants on the same date of which time precedence cannot be determined, and hence there exists a likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers, all of such applicants shall reach an agreement on the precedence by consultations among the applicants. Where no agreement is reached in the consultations, the precedence shall be decided by a lottery.

Prohibition and exception of amendment to trademark reproduction and designated goods or services
No amendments shall be made to the reproduction of a trademark and the designated goods or services thereof after an application for trademark registration has been filed, unless such amendment is a restriction of designated goods or services or an amendment to the reproduction of a trademark which does not substantially change such trademark.

Change to application
Changes to the name or address of the applicant, the trademark agent, or any other particulars in an application for registration shall be made by submitting to the Registrar Office a request therefor.

Correction of application
The following errors in the particulars of an application for registration of a trademark may be corrected upon request or ex officio:
(1)Errors in the name or address of the applicant;
(2)Errors of wording or of copying; or
(3)Any other obvious mistakes.
The correction referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not affect the identity of the trademark or broaden the scope of the designated goods or services.

Division of application
An applicant may request the Registrar Office to divide an application for registration into two or more applications by distributing the designated goods or services included in the original application among divisional applications which shall preserve the filing date of the original application.

Transfer of application
The rights derived from an application for trademark registration may be transferred to another person.

Limitation and exception of disposition of right derived from application for registration of jointly owned trademark
Any transfer of the right derived from an application for registration of a jointly owned trademark or the share of a joint applicant in such trademark shall have the consent of all joint applicants, unless such right or share is transferred by succession, compulsory execution, a judgment of the court or operation of other law.
Any abandonment of the right derived from an application for registration of a jointly owned trademark shall have the consent of all joint applicants, unless in the case that a joint applicant abandons his/her own share in such trademark.
The share abandoned by a joint applicant referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be distributed among the remaining joint applicants in proportion to each one’s share.
The preceding paragraph shall apply mutatis mutandis to cases where a joint applicant dies with no successor or ceases to exist with no assumer.
Any restriction or division of the designated goods or services of an application for registration of a jointly owned trademark shall have the consent of all joint applicants.

Grounds for refusal of registration: devoid of distinctiveness; disclaimer
A trademark shall not be registered if it is devoid of distinctiveness in any of the following:
(1)Consisting exclusively of a description of the quality, intended purpose, material, place of origin, or relevant characteristics of the designated goods or services;
(2)Consisting exclusively of the generic mark or term for the designated goods or services; or
(3)Consisting exclusively of other signs which are devoid of any distinctiveness.
Subparagraph 1 or 3 of the preceding paragraph shall not apply if the trademark has been used by the applicant and has become, in trade, a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of the applicant.
Where the reproduction of a trademark contains an element which is not distinctive, and where the inclusion of that element in the trademark could give rise to doubts as to the scope of the trademark rights, the applicant shall state that he/she disclaims any exclusive right to such element. Such trademark without disclaimer shall not be registered.

Other grounds for refusal of registration
A trademark shall not be registered in any of the following:
(1)Being exclusively necessary for the goods or services to be functional;
(2)Being identical with or similar to the national flag, national emblem, national seal, military flags, military insignia, official seals, or medals of the ROC, or the state flags of foreign countries, or the armorial bearings, national seals or other state emblems of foreign countries communicated by any member of the WTO under Paragraph 3 of Article 6ter of the Paris Convention;
(3)Being identical with the portrait or name of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen or of the head of the state;
(4)Being identical with or similar to the mark of a government agency of the ROC or an official exhibition held thereby, or the medal or certificate awarded thereby;
(5)Being identical with or similar to the armorial bearings, flags, other emblems, abbreviations, and names, of international intergovernmental organizations or well-known domestic or foreign institutions undertaking businesses for public interests, and hence being likely to mislead the public;
(6)Being identical with or similar to official signs and hallmarks indicating control and warranty adopted by the domestic or foreign countries, and being designated to the identical or similar goods or services;
(7)Being contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality;
(8)Being likely to mislead the public as to the nature, quality, or place of origin of the goods or services;
(9)Being identical with or similar to a geographical indication for wines or spirits in the ROC or a foreign country, and being designated to goods that are identical with or similar to wines or spirits, where that foreign country concludes with the ROC an agreement, or accedes to an international treaty, to which the ROC also accedes, or has reciprocal recognition with the ROC of protection of geographical indications for wines or spirits;
(10)Being identical with or similar to another person’s registered trademark or earlier filed trademark and to be applied for goods or services identical with or similar to those for which the registered trademark is protected or the earlier filed trademark is designated, and hence there exists a likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers, unless the consent of the proprietor of the said registered trademark or earlier filed trademark to the application has been given and is not obviously improper;
(11)Being identical with or similar to another person’s well-known trademark or mark, and hence there exists a likelihood of confusion on the relevant public or a likelihood of dilution of the distinctiveness or reputation of the said well-known trademark or mark, unless the proprietor of the said well-known trademark or mark consents to the application;
(12)Being identical with or similar to another person’s earlier used trademark and to be applied for goods or services identical with or similar to those for which the earlier used trademark is applied, where the applicant with the intent to imitate the earlier used trademark, being aware of the existence of the earlier used trademark due to contractual, regional, or business connections, or any other relationship with the proprietor of the earlier used trademark, files the application for registration, unless the proprietor of the said earlier used trademark consents to the application;
(13)Containing another person’s portrait or well-known name, stage name, pseudonym, or alternative name, unless the said person consents to the application;
(14)Being identical with or similar to the name of a well-known juridical person, business or any group, and hence there exists a likelihood of confusion on the relevant public, unless the said juridical person, business or group consents to the application; or
(15)Being an infringement of another person’s copyright, patent right, or any other right, where a final judgment of the court has been rendered, unless the said person consents to the application.
The determination of a geographical indication, well-known trademark/mark, and earlier used trademark as prescribed in Subparagraph 9 and Subparagraphs 11 to 14, respectively, of the preceding paragraph shall be based on the facts at the time of filing.
Subparagraphs 2, 4, 5 and 9 of Paragraph 1 of this Article shall not apply if the government agency or related institution is the applicant or consents to the application.
Where the reproduction of a trademark contains an element that is functional as prescribed in Subparagraph 1 of Paragraph 1, such trademark shall not be registered without using broken lines to represent such element. Where such element cannot be represented by using broken lines, it shall not be registered if the applicant does not state that such element is not a part of the trademark.

Disposition of refusal; time limit on request of restriction of goods or services, amendment to reproduction without substantial change, division and disclaimer
An application for trademark registration shall be refused if it is held, after examination, that under Paragraph 1 or 3 of Article 29, Paragraph 1 or 4 of the preceding paragraph, or Paragraph 3 of Article 65, the trademark shall not be registered.
Before rendering a disposition of refusal pursuant to the preceding paragraph, a written notice stating grounds for refusal shall be given to the applicant, who may make observations on the intended refusal within the prescribed period.
Any restriction of the designated goods or services, amendment to the reproduction of a trademark which does not substantially change such trademark, division of an application for registration, or disclaimer shall be requested before the disposition of refusal is rendered.

Disposition of acceptance; payment of registration fee; relief measure of failure to pay
An application for trademark registration shall be accepted if, after examination, none of the grounds for refusal prescribed in Paragraph 1 of the preceding article is found to exist.
A trademark been accepted for registration shall be published for registration and a trademark certificate shall be issued, provided that the registration fee has been paid by the applicant within two months from the day following the date of the service of the disposition. Where the said fee remains unpaid by the end of the prescribed period, a trademark shall not be published for registration.
Where an applicant has unintentionally failed to pay the fee within the period prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the applicant may pay double within six months from the day following the date on which the prescribed period expires, in which case the Registrar Office will publish the registration. However, this shall not be applied if an application for trademark registration filed or rights of a trademark obtained by a third party during such period would be affected.

Right conferred by registered trademark and duration of registration
The proprietor of a registered trademark shall have the exclusive right of the trademark for a period of ten years from the date of publication for registration.
The period of the trademark right may be renewed, and the duration of each renewal period shall be ten years.

Renewal of registration
A request for renewal of the trademark right shall be made, and the renewal fee paid, within six months before the expiry of the period of the trademark right; failing this, the request may be made and the fee paid in double within such further period of six months from the day following the date of expiry of the period of the trademark right.
Renewal referred to in the preceding paragraph shall take effect from the day following the date of expiry of the previous period of the trademark right.

Right in registered trademark
The proprietor of a registered trademark has the exclusive right in the trademark in relation to the designated goods or services.
Unless otherwise prescribed in Article 36 of this Act, consent of the proprietor of a registered trademark shall be required in any of the following:
(1)Using a trademark which is identical with the registered trademark in relation to goods or services which are identical with those for which it is registered;
(2)Using a trademark which is identical with the registered trademark and used in relation to goods or services similar to those for which the registered one is designated, and hence there exists a likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers; or
(3)Using a trademark which is similar to the registered trademark and used in relation to goods or services identical with or similar to those for which the registered one is designated, and hence there exists a likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers.
A trademark may, if registered, be displayed with the words “registered trademark” or the internationally used symbol for registration (the letter R enclosed within a circle).

Limits on effect of registered trademark
A registered trademark shall not entitle the proprietor to prohibit a third party from:
(1)Indicating his/her own name, or the term, shape, quality, nature, characteristic, intended purpose, place of origin, or any other description in relation to his/her own goods or services, in accordance with honest practices in industrial or commercial matters and not using it as a trademark;
(2)Indicating the purpose of use of goods or services in accordance with honest practices in industrial or commercial matters, where it is necessary to use the registered trademark to indicate goods or services of the proprietor. It shall not apply if there exists a likelihood of confusion among relevant consumers as a result of such use;
(3)Using where it is necessary for the goods or services to be functional; or
(4)Using bona fide, prior to the filing date of the registered trademark, an identical or similar trademark on goods or services identical with or similar to those for which the registered trademark is protected, provided that the use is only to the original extent; the proprietor of the registered trademark is entitled to request the party who use the trademark to add an appropriate and distinguishing indication.
Where goods have been put on the domestic or foreign market under a registered trademark by the proprietor or with his/her consent, the proprietor is not entitled to claim trademark rights on such goods, unless such claim is to prevent the condition of the goods been changed, impaired, reprocessed or reformed by a third party after such goods have been put on the market or there exist other legitimate reasons.

Division of registration
The proprietor of a registered trademark may request the Registrar Office to divide the registration into two or more registrations by distributing the designated goods or services included in the original registration among divisional registrations.

Change and correction of registration; time limit on division and restriction
No amendments shall be made to the reproduction of a trademark and the designated goods or services thereof after the trademark has been registered, unless such amendment is a restriction of designated goods or services.
Articles 24 and 25 shall apply mutatis mutandis to any change or correction of the particulars of a trademark registration.
If an application for opposition, invalidation or revocation has been entered at the Registrar Office against a registered trademark, any division of the registration or restriction of the designated goods or services shall be requested before the disposition of the application is rendered.

Entry of license in the Register
A registered trademark may be licensed by the proprietor, exclusively or non-exclusively, for all or some of the designated goods or services for which it is registered and for a particular locality.
A license referred to in the preceding paragraph shall have no locus standi against any third party unless it is entered in the Register by the Registrar Office.
If the trademark right have been transferred after the license is entered in the Register, the transferee is still bound by the licensing contract.
If the entry of an exclusive license is requested by the proprietor of a registered trademark after a non-exclusive license is entered in the Register, such non-exclusive license shall not be affected.
An exclusive licensee is entitled, within the scope of the license, to exclude the proprietor and any third party from using the registered trademark.
Unless otherwise prescribed in a licensing contract, an exclusive licensee is entitled, within the scope of the license, to bring infringement proceedings in his/her own name.

Entry of sub-license in the Register
Unless otherwise prescribed in a licensing contract, an exclusive licensee is entitled, within the scope of the license, to sub-license the registered trademark to another person.
A non-exclusive licensee shall not sub-license the registered trademark to another person, unless the proprietor or the exclusive licensee consents to the sub-license.
A sub-license shall have no locus standi against any third party unless it is entered in the Register by the Registrar Office.

Removal of license from the Register
Before the expiry of the period of a license, a concerned or an interested party may, by submitting relevant evidence, request the Registrar Office to remove the license from the Register under any of the following:
(1)Both the proprietor of the registered trademark and the licensee agree to terminate the license; such request shall also apply to the sub-license;
(2)Where the licensing contract expressly prescribes that either the proprietor or the licensee may terminate the license at any time, the concerned party declares the termination;
(3)Due to the licensee’s breaching the licensing contract, the proprietor gives such licensee a notice of rescinding or terminating the licensing contract, and the licensee shows no objection thereto; or
(4)There is other relevant evidence capable of establishing that the license no longer exists.

Entry of transfer in the Register
A transfer of trademark right shall have no locus standi against any third party unless it is entered in the Register by the Registrar Office.

Addition to appropriate and distinguishing indication
If, due to a transfer of trademark right, two or more proprietors use an identical trademark on similar goods or services or similar trademarks on identical or similar goods or services, and hence there exists a likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers, each proprietor shall add an appropriate and distinguishing indication while using his/her own trademark.

Entry of pledge in the Register
A creation, change, or extinguishment of a pledge made by the proprietor of a registered trademark shall have no locus standi against any third party unless it is entered in the Register by the Registrar Office.
Where a proprietor creates multiple pledges on his/her trademark right for the purpose of securing multiple creditors’ rights, the ranks of these pledges shall be decided by the order of the entry in the Register.
A pledgee in respect of right in a registered trademark shall not use such trademark unless otherwise licensed by the proprietor thereof.

Abandonment of registration
The proprietor of a registered trademark may abandon his/her trademark right. However, if a license or a pledge has entered in the Register, the proprietor shall get the consent of the licensee or pledgee.
The abandonment referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be made in writing to the Registrar Office.

Disposition of right of jointly owned trademark
Any license, sub-license, transfer, abandonment of, or creation of pledge on the right in a jointly owned trademark or any transfer of or creation of pledge on the share in a jointly owned trademark shall have the consent of all joint proprietors, unless such right or share is transferred by succession, compulsory execution, a judgment of the court or operation of other law.
The proviso to Paragraph 2 of Article 28 and Paragraph 3 of same Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to a joint proprietor’s abandonment of his/her share.
Where a joint proprietor dies with no successor or ceases to exist with no assumer, Paragraph 4 of Article 28 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the distribution of such joint proprietor’s share.
Paragraph 5 of Article 28 shall apply mutatis mutandis to a restriction or division of the designated goods or services of a jointly owned registered trademark.

Extinguishment of registration
Right of a registered trademark shall become extinguished under any of the following:
(1)Where the right is not renewed pursuant to Article 34, such right shall become extinguished from the day following the date of expiry of the period of such right.
(2)Where the proprietor of such trademark dies with no successor, such right shall become extinguished from the day following the date of death of such proprietor; or
(3)Where the right is abandoned pursuant to Article 45, such right shall become extinguished from the date of receipt of a written statement on the abandonment at the Registrar Office.

Grounds for opposition and time limit on filing
Any person may file an opposition to registration of a trademark with the Registrar Office within three months from the day following the date of publication of registration on the grounds that such registration falls under Paragraph 1 of Article 29, Paragraph 1 of Article 30, or Paragraph 3 of Article 65.
The opposition referred to in the preceding paragraph may be filed for some of the designated goods or services of the registered trademark.
An application for opposition shall be filed against a single registered trademark.

Opposition procedure
Any person who opposes a registered trademark shall file an application stating the facts and grounds along with a copy thereof. Any attachments to the application shall also be enclosed with the copy.
The Registrar Office shall serve the copy on the proprietor of opposed trademark, who may make observations to the opposition within the prescribed period; where the proprietor files the observations, the Registrar Office shall serve a copy of the observations on the opponent, who may comment on the observations of the proprietor within the prescribed period.
Where the observations filed pursuant to the preceding paragraph is likely to delay the proceedings, or where the facts and evidence are sufficiently clear, the Registrar Office may conduct opposition proceedings directly without giving the opposite party a notice to make observations.

Provisions govern in opposition
With respect to the grounds for an opposition to a registered trademark, the provisions in effect at the time of the said trademark publication of registration shall govern, unless otherwise prescribed in Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 3 of Article 106.

Avoidance of examiner in opposition
An application for opposition to a trademark shall be examined by an examiner, who did not participate in the examination of the application for registration of the opposed trademark.

Invariance of concerned party in opposition
A transfer of the right of a trademark of which the opposition proceedings is underway shall have no effect on the said opposition proceedings.
A transferee of trademark right referred to in the preceding paragraph may declare to assume the position of the opposed party in the opposition proceedings.

Withdraw of opposition
An opponent may withdraw his/her opposition to a registered trademark before the disposition of such opposition is rendered.
An opponent who withdrew his/her opposition to a registered trademark shall not file an opposition once more or invalidation against such opposed trademark based on the same facts, evidence and grounds as those in the withdrawn opposition.

Effect of sustained opposition
Where an opposition to a registered trademark is sustained, the registration of the opposed trademark shall be cancelled.

Cancellation of some goods or services
Where grounds for cancellation referred to in the preceding article exist in respect of some of the designated goods or services of the registered trademark, the registration may only be cancelled in respect of those goods or services.

Ne bis in idem
Where a disposition of the opposition to a registered trademark became final, no one shall file any invalidation against such opposed trademark based on the same facts, evidence and grounds as those in the opposition.

Grounds for invalidation; proof of use of earlier trademark
An interested party may file invalidation with the Registrar Office, or a trademark examiner may submit a proposal to the Registrar Office for invalidation, against a trademark registration on the grounds that such registration falls under Paragraph 1 of Article 29, Paragraph 1 of Article 30, or Paragraph 3 of Article 65.
An applicant who file an invalidation with the Registrar Office against a trademark registration on the grounds that such registration falls under Subparagraph 10 of Paragraph 1 of Article 30 shall furnish proof that, during the period of three years preceding the date of the application for invalidation, the earlier trademark has been used in connection with the goods or services in respect of which it is registered and which he/she cites as justification for his/her application, or that there are proper reasons for non-use, provided the earlier trademark has at that date been registered for not less than three years.
The proof of use furnished pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be capable of establishing the genuine use of the trademark in accordance with general commercial practices.

Time limit on filing invalidation and exception
No invalidation shall be filed, or no proposal for an invalidation shall be submitted, against a trademark registration on the grounds that such registration falls under Subparagraph 1 or 3 of Paragraph 1 of Article 29, any of Subparagraphs 9 through 15 of Paragraph 1 of Article 30, or Paragraph 3 of Article 65 if the registration has at that date been published for not less than five years.
The period referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not apply to the invalidation against a trademark registration on the grounds that such registration falls under Subparagraph 9 or 11 of Paragraph 1 of Article 30 if the registration was applied for in bad faith.

Invalidation procedure
An examination on an application for invalidation shall be conducted by an invalidation panel consisting of three or more examiners assigned by the head of the Registrar Office.

Effect of sustained invalidation
Where invalidation against a registered trademark is sustained, such registration shall be cancelled. However, if the circumstance on which the trademark is not registrable no longer exists, a disposition to overrule such invalidation may be rendered upon considering the need for proportionality between the interests of the public and the interests of the concerned parties.

Ne bis in idem
Where a disposition of invalidation against a registered trademark was rendered, no one shall file another invalidation against such trademark based on the same facts, evidence and grounds as those in the earlier invalidation.

Provisions applied mutatis mutandis to invalidation
Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 48, Articles 49 through 53, and Article 55 shall apply mutatis mutandis to an invalidation of a registered trademark.

Grounds for revocation; revocation of some goods or services
The Registrar Office shall, ex officio or upon an application, revoke the registration of a trademark if such trademark is in any of the following:
(1)Where the trademark is altered by the proprietor in different forms in which it was registered or supplemented with additional notes whereby the trademark is identical with or similar to another person’s registered trademark in relation to goods or services which are identical with or similar to those for which another person’s registered trademark is designated, and hence there exists a likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers;
(2)Where the trademark has not yet been put to use or such use has been suspended for a continuous period of not less than three years without proper reasons for non-use, unless the trademark has been put to use by a licensee;
(3)Where no appropriate and distinguishing indication is added pursuant to Article 43, unless the indication has been added and hence there does not exist any likelihood of confusion before the disposition of revocation rendered by the Registrar Office;
(4)Where the trademark has become the generic mark or term, or common shape for the designated goods or services; or
(5)Where, in consequence of the actual use of the trademark, such trademark is likely to mislead the public as to the nature, quality, or place of origin of the goods or services.
The revocation shall also apply in the case where the proprietor of the registered trademark who, knowingly or with reasonable grounds to know, shows no objection to the conduct as prescribed in Subparagraph 1 of preceding paragraph by a licensee.
The trademark registration shall not be revoked on the ground prescribed in Subparagraph 2 of Paragraph 1 if such use as in referred to in that subparagraph is commenced or resumed before the application for revocation is filed, unless any such commencement or resumption of use within the period of three months before the filing of the application is because the proprietor became aware that the application might be filed.
Where grounds for revocation exist in respect of some of the designated goods or services of the registered trademark, the registration may be revoked in respect of those goods or services.

Identity of trademark
Actual use of a registered trademark by the proprietor in a form differing in elements which do not affect the identity of the trademark according to general concepts in the society shall constitute use of the registered trademark.

Revocation procedure
The Registrar Office shall serve a copy of an application for revocation on the proprietor of a registered trademark, who may make observations to the revocation within the prescribed period; where the proprietor files the observations, the Registrar Office shall serve a copy of the observations on the applicant, who may comment on the observations of the proprietor within the prescribed period. An application for revocation may be dismissed directly if the application is devoid of any concrete facts and evidence or based on obviously groundless claims.
Where a copy of an application for revocation against a registered trademark on the ground prescribed in Subparagraph 2 of Paragraph 1 of Article 63 has been served on the proprietor of such trademark, such proprietor shall furnish proof of his/her use. Such registration may be revoked directly if the proprietor fails to make observations within the prescribed period.
Where the trademark registration was revoked on the ground prescribed in Subparagraph 1 of Paragraph 1 of Article 63, a trademark which is identical with or similar to the revoked trademark in relation to goods or services which are identical with or similar to those for which the revoked trademark is designated shall not be applied for registration by the former proprietor of the revoked trademark or transferred or licensed to such former proprietor within three years from the day following the date of revocation; the aforementioned shall also apply to the circumstance that the trademark right has been abandoned before the disposition of revocation rendered by the Registrar Office.

Provisions govern in invalidation
With respect to the grounds for a revocation against a registered trademark, the provisions in effect at the time of the application for revocation filed shall govern.

Provisions applied mutatis mutandis to revocation
Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Articles 48, Paragraphs 1 and 3 of Article 49, Article 52 and Article 53 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the examination of revocation.
Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 57 shall apply mutatis mutandis to an application for revocation on the ground prescribed in Subparagraph 1 of Paragraph 1 of Article 63.
Paragraph 3 of Article 57 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the circumstance that a proprietor of a revoked trademark furnishes proof of use pursuant to Paragraph 2 of Article 65.

Infringement of registered trademark
Any of the following acts, without consent of the proprietor of a registered trademark, constitutes infringement of the right of such trademark:
(1)Using a trademark which is identical with the registered trademark in relation to goods or services which are identical with those for which it is registered;
(2)Using a trademark which is identical with the registered trademark and used in relation to goods or services similar to those for which the registered one is designated, and hence there exists a likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers; or
(3)Using a trademark which is similar to the registered trademark and used in relation to goods or services identical with or similar to those for which the registered one is designated, and hence there exists a likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers.
Any person who, without the consent of the proprietor of a registered trademark, manufactures, sells, possesses, displays, exports, or imports labels, tags, packaging, containers, or service-related articles that bear trademarks the same or similar to said registered trademark of the identical or similar goods or services in the course of trade for their own use or for others, shall also be deemed an infringer of the right of such trademark.

Exclusion, prevention and damages of infringement; time limit to demand damages
A proprietor of a registered trademark is entitled to demand a person who infringes or is likely to infringe the trademark right to stop or prevent such infringement.
When making a demand pursuant to Paragraph 1, the proprietor is entitled to demand for destruction of infringing articles and the materials or implements used in infringing the trademark. However, the court may order other dispositions as it considers necessary after taking into account the need for proportionality between the seriousness of the infringement and the interests of third parties.
The proprietor is entitled to demand the infringer who knowingly, or with reasonable grounds to know, infringed such trademark rights to pay the proprietor damages.
The rights to demand referred to in the preceding paragraph shall become extinguished if not exercised within two years from the date on which the proprietor become aware of the damage and the person liable for damages. This right shall also become extinguished if it is not exercised within ten years from the time of infringement.

Acts deemed infringement
Any of the following acts, without consent of the proprietor of a registered trademark, shall be deemed infringement of the right of such trademark:
(1)Knowingly using a trademark which is identical with or similar to another person’s well-known registered trademark, and hence there exists a likelihood of dilution of the distinctiveness or reputation of the said well-known trademark; or
(2)Knowingly using words contained in another person’s well-known registered trademark as the name of a company, business, group or domain or any other name that identifies a business entity, and hence there exists a likelihood of confusion on relevant consumers or a likelihood of dilution of the distinctiveness or reputation of the said well-known trademark.

Calculation of damages
Damages demanded by the proprietor of a registered trademark may be calculated according to any of the following:
(1)The method provided in Article 216 of the Civil Code; the proprietor is entitled to demand damages based on the amount of the balance derived by subtracting the profit earned through using the trademark after infringement from the profit normally expected through using the same trademark, if no method of proof can be furnished to prove the damage suffered;
(2)The profit earned by the infringer as a result of trademark infringement; if no proof on costs or necessary expenses can be furnished by the infringer, the total amount of income from selling the infringing goods shall be presumed to be the amount of profit;
(3)The amount not more than 1,500 times of the unit retail price of the infringing goods; if over 1,500 pieces of infringing goods were found, the amount of damages shall be a lump sum of the market value of the infringing goods; or
(4)The equivalent amount of royalty that may be collected from using the trademark under licensing.
A court may, at its discretion, reduce the amount of damages referred to in the preceding paragraph if such amount is apparently unequal.

Application to Customs for detention
A proprietor of a registered trademark may file an application to Customs for detention of articles that are suspected of infringing the rights in the trademark.
Any application referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be filed in writing, accompanied by a statement of the facts of the infringement and a security in an amount equivalent to the duty-paid price of the imported articles or the F.O.B. price of the exported articles, assessed by Customs, or equivalent assurance.
Customs shall immediately give a notice to the applicant once the application for detention is admitted; if suspected articles are detained because the application conforms to the preceding paragraph, Customs shall give a notice to the applicant and the owner of detained articles in writing.
The owner of detained articles may request Customs to revoke the detention on provision of a security equivalent to two times the security referred to in the Paragraph 2 or equivalent assurance while following the procedures in accordance with applicable Customs Regulations on import and export articles clearance.
Where the applicant is awarded a final judgment of the court stating that the detained articles have infringed trademark rights, the owner of detained articles shall be liable for all relevant expenses incurred as a result of the delay of containers, warehousing, loading, and unloading of the detained articles.

Revocation of detention
Customs shall revoke the detention if any of the following exists:
(1)Within a period of twelve days after the applicant has been served notice of admission of the application, Customs has not been informed that proceedings claiming that the detained articles are infringing articles pursuant to Article 69 have been initiated by the applicant;
(2)A final ruling of the court which dismisses the litigation initiated by the applicant claiming that the detained articles are infringing article;
(3)A final judgment of the court which holds that the detained articles do not infringe trademark rights;
(4)The applicant requests for revocation of the detention; or
(5)The circumstance in accordance with Paragraph 4 of the preceding article.
The period as prescribed in Subparagraph 1 of the preceding paragraph may be extended by another twelve days by Customs in appropriate cases.
If the detention is revoked pursuant to Paragraph 1, Customs shall follow the procedures in accordance with applicable Customs Regulations on import and export articles clearance.
Where the detention is revoked pursuant to Subparagraphs 1 to 4 of Paragraph 1, the applicant shall be liable for all relevant expenses incurred as a result of the delay of containers, warehousing, loading, and unloading of the detained articles.

Release of security
If a final judgment of the court holds that the detained articles do not infringe trademark rights, the applicant shall compensate the owner of detained articles for injury caused to them through wrongful detention of articles or provision of a security as prescribed in Paragraph 4 of Article 72.
The applicant shall enjoy the same right as a pledgee in relation to the security as prescribed in Paragraph 4 of Article 72. The owner of detained articles shall enjoy the same right as a pledgee in relation to the security as prescribed in Paragraph 2 of Article 72. However, all relevant expenses incurred as a result of the delay of containers, warehousing, loading, and unloading of the detained articles as prescribed in Paragraph 4 of the preceding article and Paragraph 5 of Article 72 shall be paid prior to compensate the applicant or the owner of detained articles for injury.
Customs shall release the security as prescribed in Paragraph 2 of Article 72 upon request by the applicant in any of the following:
(1)Where the security is no longer required as the applicant has either obtained a final judgment in his/her favor or reached a settlement with the owner of detained articles;
(2)Where the applicant proves that the owner of detained articles has been notified but failed to exercise his/her rights within twenty days or more after the detention is revoked on the grounds prescribed in Subparagraphs 1 through 4 of Paragraph 1 of the preceding article and hence there is injury caused to them through wrongful detention, or after such owner obtained a final judgment in his/her favor; or
(3)Where the owner of detained articles agrees to release the security.
Customs shall release the security as prescribed in Paragraph 4 of Article 72 upon request by the owner of detained articles in any of the following:
(1)Where the security is no longer required as either after the detention is revoked on the grounds prescribed in Subparagraphs 1 through 4 of Paragraph 1 of the preceding article or such owner has reached a settlement with the applicant;
(2)Where such owner proves that the applicant has been notified but failed to exercise his/her rights within twenty days or more after the applicant has obtained a final judgment in his/her favor; or
(3)Where the applicant agrees to release the security.

Suspension of release upon Customs’ own initiative
Where Customs acts upon its own initiative and finds that imported or exported articles in respect of which it has acquired prima facie evidence that a trademark right is likely to be infringed, Customs shall give a notice to the proprietor of the trademark and the importer/exporter.
In giving the notice referred to in the preceding paragraph, Customs shall specify a period for the proprietor of the trademark to identify the infringement and furnish proof of infringement, and Customs shall also specify a period for the importer/exporter to furnish proof of non-infringement. However, the period may be extended once only at the request of the proprietor of the trademark or the importer/exporter to Customs in writing, stating legitimate reasons for failure to furnish proof.
If proof of infringement has been furnished by the proprietor of the trademark and proof of non-infringement has not been furnished by the importer/exporter pursuant to the preceding paragraph, Customs may suspend the release of such articles.
If proof of infringement has been furnished by the proprietor of the trademark and proof of non-infringement has been furnished by the importer/exporter pursuant to Paragraph 2, Customs shall give a notice to the proprietor that he/she may, within three working days after the notice is given, file an application for detention pursuant to Paragraph 1 of Article 72.
If the proprietor did not file within the period prescribed in the preceding paragraph an application for detention pursuant to Paragraph 1 of Article 72, Customs may release the articles after retaining a representative sample.

Provision of information of suspected articles upon request
Without prejudice to the protection of confidential information of detained articles, Customs may allow the inspection of detained articles upon request by the applicant or the owner of detained articles referred to in Article 72 or the proprietor of the trademark or importer/exporter referred to in the preceding article.
After Customs detained suspected articles pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Article 72 or suspended the release of such articles pursuant to Paragraph 3 of the preceding article, Customs shall inform the proprietor of the trademark, at his/her request, of the names and addresses of the import/exporter, the consignor/consignee, and the quantity of the suspected articles.
Proprietors of trademarks are permitted to use the data obtained on the basis of preceding paragraph solely for the purpose of investigating and bringing legal actions concerning alleged infringements of their trademark rights without disclosing such data to any third party.

Request to Customs on taking samples of suspected articles
When identifying the infringement pursuant to Paragraph 2 of Article 75, the proprietor of the trademark may request Customs to take samples of suspected articles and hand them over or send them to such proprietor for identification by providing a security in an amount equivalent to 120 percent of the duty-paid price of the imported articles and relevant duties and taxes or the F.O.B. price of the exported articles and relevant duties and taxes, assessed by Customs, provided that it is necessary to take samples for identification, as well as such proprietor has undertaken in writing not to infringe the legitimate interests of the importer/exporter and not to use the samples for unjustifiable purposes.
The amount of the security referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not be less than NT$3,000.
If such proprietor does not return the requested samples within the period for furnishing proof of infringement prescribed in Paragraph 2 of Article 75, or if the samples returned are not the same as the original ones or are defective, Customs shall hold the security to compensate the importer/exporter for injury caused to them.
The importer/exporter of samples of articles shall enjoy the same right as a pledgee in relation to the security held as prescribed in preceding paragraph.

Regulations prescribed by Customs
The regulations governing the application for detention, revocation of a detention, payment, provision and release procedures for a security or assurance, required documents and other matters to be followed as prescribed in Articles 72 to 74 shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority coordinating with the Ministry of Finance.
The regulations governing the procedures, the required documents, and other related matters as to Customs’ implementing measures for protecting rights of trademarks, the proprietor’s request for inspection of detained articles, for related data of the infringing articles and for samples of suspected articles as prescribed in Articles 75 to 77 shall be prescribed by the Ministry of Finance.

Formation of specialized tribunal
A court may form specialized tribunal(s) or assign specific staff members to take charge of trademark litigation cases.