Summary timeline and milestone

Myanmar has become a member of WIPO since 2001. Before the new trademark law was enacted, there was no law of trademark registration except trademark’s definition on Penal Code.

In 2016, a draft of new trademark law was in progress and expected to be passed in 2017. In August of 2017, the trademark bill was reviewed by Draft Law Committee of the Parliament and published for public comment.

In February of 2018, the trademark bill was passed by the National Parliament. In October of 2018, the trademark bill was reviewed by the Lower House’s Bill Committee. And it was pending until 2019.

On January 30, 2019, new trademark law was enacted by the Parliament. The new law was expected to standardize trademark registration procedure and adhere to International standards for Myanmar to participate in International Treaties of Intellectual Property as well as WTO.

The new law proceed in 2 stages of Soft and Grand Opening. The Law was expected to come into force in Myanmar from January 1, 2020. But both stages were delayed due to Covid-19 and Ministry of Commerce needed more time to completed their system.

 

“Soft opening” and “Grand opening”

On August 28, 2020, the Ministry of Commerce announced that the Soft opening period under Myanmar’s new trademark law launched on October 1, 2020 with establishment of the Myanmar Department of Intellectual Property (MDIP).

The “Soft opening” commerce to March 31, 2021. During this period, only the registered marks under the old practice and the marks being actually used in the country are allowed to be re-filed.

The “Grand opening” is from April 1st, 2021, when all new trademark applications are applicable.

Difference between old practice vs. new Law

 
Old law & Practice New Trademark Law
Overview Not actual law, it was just a registry Act

Registration by Declaration of Ownership and publishing Cautionary Notice.

The registration shall deem as Prima Facie Evidence

A new Law specified on main matters of Trademark registration and protection

 

The Laws was drafted under supervision of WIPO in compliance with TRIPS Agreement.

National Office The Registry Office and local newspaper The Intellectual Property Department
Registration systems First-to-use rule First-to-file rule

IP office will take consideration of old practice to grant trademark rights under the new Law

Protection initiation With actual use evidences From filing date of trademark application
Priority Not available Available
Filing process There is no examination

The mark is granted by certified Declaration of Ownership from Registry Office

Then, a Cautionary notice on the trademark will be published in a local newspaper to notify the ownership and against any potential infringement

The filed or re-filed applications will be examineed by IP Department to comply with regulation under new Law.

If the mark does not involve non-Registrable elements and all required documents are sufficient, the mark will be published.

Within 60 days from publication date, if there is no objection submitted, registration of the mark will be granted.

Accordingly, the trade mark registration process will undergo five steps: (1) filing application; (2) formality examination; (3) substantive examination; (4) publication for opposition; and (5) registration.

Opposition Not available

Any opposition must be filed as a lawsuit to Court

Within 60 days from the publication date, any third party can submit opposition request to the registrar
Invalidation request Not available Third party may file invalidation request into the registrar at any time
Tenure of registration & renewal 03 years from registration date 10 years from the filing date of the application for registration
Renewal The trademark must need to renewal every 3 years

Declaration of Ownership is re-submitted and Cautionary Notice is re-published in local newspaper

The protection term can be renewed perpetually every 10 years for further 10-year periods

Renewal request will be filed at IP Office

Use of mark Required

Evidence of use is to be submitted at the Court

Not require in first 03 years from registration

After 3 year, if the mark is not used to the registered goods/services, any interested person may request of cancellation

Transfer of the right of mark No recordation by registrar, just declare Must be recorded by IP Department

 

Predictive scenario

We hope that the new regime of trademark system of Myanmar will start with the new trademark Law, including establishment of IP Office, IP court and legal frames such as Rule, Regulations, Orders, Directives, Forms and online based computerized registry system.

The national IP system will comply and enable the country to be a member state of International Treaties in IP community.

The national trademark database will be available and published on WIPO’s page.

However, from scratch, it will take time, at least 1-3 years, to complete system, trademark examiners in IP Department, well-established procedure.

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