By Hao Zhou (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2007-08-24 15:11

In an effort to shorten cycles of trademark registration and rights vindication, China's leaders are going to amend the Trademark Law for the third time, the Beijing Youth Daily reported today.

China will revise the Trademark Law again in order to simplify lengthy procedures and improve efficiency in protecting exclusivity of registered trademarks, said Wang Yongqing, deputy director of the State Council's legislative affairs office.

The Trademark Law, entering into force on March 1, 1983, was China's first law in the field of intellectual property. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress passed two acts amending the Trademark Law in 1993 and 2001, in order to keep pace with economic reform and development.

Wang added that under current legislation, trademark registration usually takes several years, and in the case of an infringement, there are five legal steps in the procedure for enforcing the trademark protection.

Zhou Bohua, the chief of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, suggested they are exploring possible amendments to the Trademark Law.