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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government,]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[29081]
No. 1.
[August 30.]
SECTION 1,
Sir,
Board of Trade to Foreign Office.-(Received August 30.)
Board of Trade, August 29, 1907.
I AM directed by the Board of Trade to refer to your letter of the 2nd instant, transmitting a copy of a letter from the China Association as to the necessity of an Agreement with the Japanese Government regarding trade-marks in China, and asking for the Board's observations in the matter.
In reply,
am to point out that Japanese traders are using English marks on goods sont to China, and that at present there would appear to be no means of preventing this practice, since they are not subject to Chinese Tribunals, and the Japanese Consul can take no cognizance of the infringement, as no mutual arrange- ment has been made between Great Britain and Japan.
The result no doubt will be that these Japanese traders will continue the use of the marks unchallenged, and when the Chinese Regulations come into force they will, on the ground of user, claim concurrent protection at least, even if they do not attempt to oust the British trader altogether from registering the marks in China.
It appears to the Board that the only way to prevent this is by an Agreement with Japan for the mutual protection of trade-marks, and they would suggest therefore that, subject to Sir E. Grey's approval, every effort should be made to induce the Japanese Government to enter into such an Agreement.
I am, &c. (Signed) T. W. P. BLOMEFIELD.
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