[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[43137]
59
1997
[December 24.]
SECTION 1.
IF JAN 07
No. 1.
Sir,
Board of Trade to Foreign Office.-(Received December 24.)
Board of Trade, December 22, 1906.
IT has been brought to the notice of the Board of Trade that at the present time the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs are receiving at certain ports deposits of representations of trade-marks which, besides being open to inspection, are being numbered and kept in the order in which they are deposited." The Board also understand, as a result of inquiries which have been made at the London office of the Chinese Imperial Customs, that the statement which has been made to them is correct.
In these circumstances it appears to the Board that it would be advisable to call the attention of British manufacturers and traders to these facts, and with this view they have drafted the inclosed notice which, with the concurrence of Sir E. Grey, they propose to insert in the next issues of both the "Board of Trade Journal" and the "Trade Marks Journal."
(Signed)
I am, &c.
HERBERT JEKYLL.
Inclosure in No. 1
Notice respecting Trade-marks.
INFORMATION has been received by the Board of Trade to the effect that owners of trade-marks can deposit the marks of which they claim to be proprietors in China. No regulations as to registration of marks are as yet in force in China, and the Board of Trade are not aware that the deposit of marks at the present time confers any legal status or right. It can, however, do no harm, and seeing that deposits are being noted by the authorities and can be made without fee, it is for owners of trade-marks to consider whether their interests in China are of sufficient moment to make it worth their while to make such deposits. It is believed that applications for the deposit of marks can be made to the Commissioners of Customs at Tien-tsin, Shanghae, and Canton.
The Board also understand that marks when deposited are being numbered and filed, and that they are open to inspection.
[2268 aa-1]
3.