Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-06-27

tomobile concern is almost certain to want
to sell it's automobiles in that cOuntry-'eS-
pecalIy when cleVerly baited by large num-
Der of false inquiries Then, the trade marx
is worth a good deal of money.
The names of automobiles, motor trucks,
musical Instruments patent medicines, UNI
derwear, cosmetics, corsets and many other
articles whose sale depends largely upon
advertising and good WILL have been partlc-
ularly subject to misrepresentation. Recently
one firm alone in a Latin American cour-
try applied for the registration of the trade
marks of six of the best-known American au-
tomobiles.
All the registration of trade marks is not
done by Latin Americans, however; neither
is all of it done for the purpose of graft.
During the war, many aliens took advantage
of the law to get hold of American trade
marks, and many of the registrations re-
Gently protested by the Bureau were those
of German firms. 1t is also common occur
renee for foreign agent for an American
concern to register it's trade mark in his
own name as a safety measure in retaining
his job. Not long ago, for example, a Latin
American opened agency for an American
car. The business proceeded erratically for
a few months, and then the agent failed. All
of his property was to be sold at public auc-
ton, and among the articles listed the
American cars trade mark, registered in the
agents name. Fortunately word of the sale
reached the office of the firm in this coun-
try just in time for it to communicate with
it's foreign attorney and have him attend the
auction. The attorney secured the trade mark,
but only at high price, after outbidding a
German.
Recently, the Cuban government has evil
denced an encouraging spirit of co-opera-
ton with the American manufacturers in
putting stop to the trade mark traffic.
About a year ago. an International Bureau
for trade mark registration was opened at
Havana, with an attorney of eminent quail
fcations and wide experience in trade mark
and patent matters as it's director. The
plans for this bureau were submitted at the
Pan-American convention in 1910, but it was
1918 before the various countries represent
ed by it actually ratified the scheme and
made the necessary appropriations for it's
maintenance. However, the Bureau is now
open for application or trade mark registra-
ton. Upon the payment of a single fee or
sou you can now secure registration of a
trade mark in Costa Rica Cuba, the Domin-
lean Republic Guatemala, Honduras, Nicara-
qua and Panama through the Offices of the
bureau.
When the bureau receives your applica-
ton, 1t consults its card index and if the
trade mark is not already registered there
1t forwards your application, in the various
forms required, to the various countries for
ratification. Each country also consults Its
card index of registrations before passing
upon the application. This system has great
ing taken to establish another international
bureau at Rio de Janeiro to include the most
important countries of South America But
1t takes time In the past it has been the
custom to blame the sloWness with which in
ternatonal bureaus came into existence on
the Latin Americans, since it was onlv nat
ural that they should not be half so interest
ed IN protecting American trade marks as VIC
were Now, however, it must give the Latin
Americans great deal of pleasure to call
attention to the fact that Cuba has been pro-
tect1ng our trade marks for several months
under the new bureau, whereas Congress
mas still to pass the law permitting our
Patent Office to ratify Cuba's
IL has been argued against the interna-
tlonal bureau that in making matters easier
LOT the American manufacturer, it also made
them easier for the trade mark pirate AS a
matter OF fact things are going to remain
easy for the trade mark pirate just as long
as the Latin American laws are as thew are
Inc only safeguard for the American mann
tactnrer is to register frst-before he has
extensively advertised his goods and before
the time seems ripe for them to be shipped
to Latin Amreica.