Extract from a Memorandum by
the Assistant Colonial Secretary dated the 11th April, 1908.
(REG 6 FEE 09)
1. On receipt of an application (practically all applications come through solicitors) a Chinese clerk at
the Colonial Secretary's office searches the Trade Marks
register to ascertain whether any similar mark has been
registered.
2. If this clerk reports that no similar mark has
been registered, all the documents, affidavits, etc., con-
nected with the application are sent to the Attorney Gen-
eral to advise whether the papers are in order, and at
this stage many technical and difficult legal points
constantly occur. For his report on each application
every Attorney General, prior to the appointment of
Mr. Goodman, used to receive a fee of $25: but at the
time of Mr. Goodman's appointment the fee was abolished.
3. If the Attorney General reports that the papers
are in order, the Colonial Secretary writes to the appli-
cants or their solicitors and informs them as to publica-
tion in the Gazette and the local newspapers of the
necessary notices. If the Attorney General reports that
the papers are not in order, prolonged correspondence
with the applicants often ensues.
4. If, after the expiration of 3 months, no notice
of opposition to its registration is received, the trade
mark is registered and the Colonial Secretary examines
the certificates and signs the register.
5. If opposition is made, the opponent must within
2 months from the date of notice of opposition forward
to the Colonial Secretary's Office such evidence, by way
of statutory declaration as he may desire to adduce, and
deliver a copy to the applicant who in turn must within
one month...