py.
3340
/11.
Sir:-
CO
41522
362
Bact
FOREIGN OFFICE.
R 29 ||
November 25th, 1911.
125 g dah
I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Grey to transmit
to you herewith a copy of a letter from the British
American Tobacco Company enclosing copies of corres-
pondence with the British Cigarette Company of Hong
Kong and with their Trademark Agent in Tokio, relative
to the refusal of the Japanese Patent Bureau to regis-
ter the Marks of the latter Company, on the ground that
the non-adhesion of Hong Kong to the Anglo-Japanese
Commercial Treaty of April 3rd last, deprives Companies
registered in that Colony of the privileges with regard
to industrial property hitherto enjoyed by them.
Sir E. Grey is of the opinion that this refusal is
based upon a misunderstanding on the part of the Japan-
ese Government, of Article 26 of the Treaty which lays
down that its stipulations shall not be applicable to
any of His Britannic Majesty's Dominions, Colonies,
Possessions and Protectorates, unless notice of their
adhesion is given before the expiration of two years
from the date of ratification. None of the stipula-
he Secretary
to the Board of Trade.
tions