In the exercise of powers conferred by paragraph 162 (2)(f) of
the Trademarks Act 2019, the Minister of Domestic Trade and
Consumer Affairs has issued the Trademarks (Waiver and Modification of Fee)
Regulations 2020 ("the
Regulations") which came into effect on 1 January
2021.
Waiver of fee
Pursuant to the Regulations, the fees in respect of an application for amendment of name and address of applicant or correction of name and address of registered proprietor; request for extension of time (other than for opposition proceedings); and filing of document manually are waived.
Modification of fee
Further, the fees in respect of request for late renewal are reduced from RM1,200 to RM1,000 for each class.
Who are entitled to such waiver/ modification of fee?
The waiver shall apply to any individual, partnership,
association, body corporate or institution affected by the control
or prevention measures prescribed, made or taken under the
Prevention and Control of Infections Disease Act 1988 intended to
control or prevent the spread of the Coronavirus Diseases
2019.
How to make the application?
An application for waiver or modification of fees shall be made
in the form as determined by the Registrar; made within the period
of 1 January 2021 until 30 June 2021; and accompanied by supporting
document to prove that the individual is from the B40 group who is
entitled for the Housing Living Aid or Prihatin National Aid; or
his income is affected with the control or prevention measures;
or that the partnership, association body
corporate or institution has obtained approval for the extension
for moratorium or any repayment flexibility from any financial
institution; has cash flow problem affected with the control or
prevention measures; or has pecuniary indebtedness and problem on
repayment of debts affected with the control or prevention
measures.
Where the trademark application or registration is owned by more
than one proprietor, the waiver or fee reduction under the
Regulations will apply so long as any of the co-proprietors satisfy
the applicable financial criteria.
Comments
Although the relief available under the Regulations is limited only to a few types of applications, they are still to be welcomed in these times when many business owners are facing financial difficulties due to the economic downturn caused by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.