Evening star., 1919-03-09

notice during the war by the expert
ence of some exporters with the
agents of enemy nationality. The
placing of the name of the agent on
the enemy trading list has resulted
in a suspension of shipments 10 the
former agent, while the control of
the trade mark through registration
i'll the name of the agent has pre-
vented shipment form being made to
any other except under a different
mark. 1t is hoped and expected that
some relief from this difficulty may
be obtained through a modification
of the procedure for the cancellation
of unauthorized registrations; but in
trade-marked goods can be made TO
countries where firms of enemy ma
tionality control the trade mark.
> i
The applications for trade mark
registration. published in the official
gazettes of the coun
Vigilance tries where the most
difficulties have been
necessary. experienced are exam
ined regularly in the bureau of for
eign and domestic commerce, in or
der. as far as possible. to discover
unauthorized attempts to appropriate
American trade marks, and the in
terested parties are warned. Several
hundred such notices have been sent
out in recent months, and in some
cases the rightful owners have been
enabled to prevent the loss of their
marks. 1t is impossible, however, to
identify many of the marks examined,
and frequently the owner of the
mark cannot be located. The time
that necessarily elapses before the
publications are received from the
more remote countries, like Argen-
tina, is often sufficient for the local
applicant TO complete registration
before any opposition can be brought.
The only safe course to follow is
to register trade marks promptly in
the name of the manufacturer in
countries where any considerable
business is carried on or anticipated.
Even if expectation at the present
time is limited by war conditions,
thes registration of the mark abroad
may well be regarded as one of the
fundamental steps of preparation for
trade after the war. It is perhaps
of even greater Importance now than
under normal conditions. in view of
the reported activity of enemy agents
and others in approprfating American
trade marks The expense of regis
sonable outlay for the protection of
good will, and 1t is recommended that
any article which is worth adver-
tising abroad is worth protecting by
means Of trademark registration.
X
In this connection the bureau OF for
eign and domestic commerce places at
the disposal of
0f{in;o1 Elias those who are in
:, terested it's files Of
are Available. material regarding
marks and patents in foreign countries
and has notified American business in
tercsts that it will be glad to answer
inquiries on the subject. A pamphlet
the procedure for registra-
ton in Latin American countries has
been issued. The names of trademark
attorneys engaged in trademark prac-
tice in Latin America and else
where can also be had from the
federal bureau. but it is to be under
stood that no responsibility is thereby
assumed by the bureau and that the fur
Of these names is not intended
as a recommendation of the attorneys
listed.
Unless a company is represented
abroad by agents Of unquestionable
it is generally preferable to
have the entire business handled by an
attorney in the United
States who has connections in foreign
countries.
South Africa is an enlarging mar
lset for American goods which Is being
watched carefully by those who have
the future of the American export busi-
ness at heart. They see there a per-
sistent development Of Japanese trade
taking over much of that formerly con-
trolled by Germany and indicating a
rivalry of American prospects. The out
feature of survey covering
the opening up Of South African mar
kets during the last five years is the
progress of American COM
petition, which Is today more than dou
BILE what it was in 1918 and which has
taken over some of Englands trade and
much previously controlled by Germany
The lines in which America has ex-
panded particularly are boots and shoes,
electrical materials, galvanized and cor
rusated iron. mining machinery, paper,
cotton manufactures, motor cars. drugs
and chemicals and condensed milk.
* X
A secondary notable feature is that |
Japan is interesting herself in a much |
larger number of lines in i
Japanese that market, and although
rm in most cases the amounts |
w. are relatively small they |
are significant as indicating carefully |
planned policy of invasion and per- |
sistent competition, against which the |
American exporter must safeguard. |
In cotton goods Japan can already |
show larger total than Germany |
could before the war and more than |
The United States can today. although |
The south is boasting that it is cloth
Ing the world Japan has also estab- |
lished lively rivalry in electrical |
brush-ware, earthen and !
china ware. glassware and fer |,
tilizers.
American business has not been as
vide awake for opportunities in South
Africa as in some other directions.
Vice Consul Charles J. Pisar at Cape
Town reports that lists of agents for
American concerns are frequently in
demand. He has prepared a partial
list, rs he could best gather the in
'ormation locally, for interested pros
,ective buyers, but he has asked the
oticials OF the commerce
bureau to urge American manufac-