Registrations will be granted for a period of 10 years from the date of grant. Belated renewal will be permitted within 6 months following expiration, subject to payment of an additional fee. When an application or registration is assigned, the assignment must include all registrations or applications for identical or similar marks relating to identical or similar goods or services owned by the assignor or such registrations or applications may be cancelled or rejected. The recordal of license agreements will no longer be mandatory in order for use of the licensed mark by the licensee to inure to the benefit of the licensor, but recordal will still be required for licenses to be effective with respect to third parties. The initial period of unjustified non-use that will render a registration vulnerable to cancellation will be extended from 2 years to 5 years following grant of a registration.
Specific protection is provided for geographical indications.
Certain acts of unfair competition are specified as criminal acts. The Customs authorities may seize, either ex officio or at the request of an interested party, any product bearing falsified, altered or imitated marks, or a false indication of source. Appeals may be filed within 60 days of adverse decisions to the President of the Trademark Office. There is no provision for further administrative appeals. Provisions of the new law will apply to all pending applications.