asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the Government propose to accede to the Madrid Agreement on the International Registration of Trade Marks.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - International Registration of Trade Marks.
52.
I do not propose at present to recommend the Government to accede to the Madrid Agreement for the International Registration of Trade Marks as it is not clear that, on balance, we should stand to gain from accession. The question, however, is kept under periodic review.
I did not hear the Minister.
I said that it is not clear that, on balance, we would stand to gain from accession.
What are the objections? Could the Minister summarise very shortly?
First of all, some people take the view and one recognised authority said bluntly that you cannot rely on the central registration to protect your trade mark. It would create quite a number of administrative difficulties. The basic law on which we base our trade marks here is different from the concept in some other countries. Translation would be necessary. About 84 per cent of the applications that we receive here for trade marks are from foreigners, not Irish people. These are just some of the factors. On balance, it does not appear that we would gain, but, as I said, we do keep it under review to see if the balance may later.
The first reason may be a real one, but the administrative one is surely capable of being surmounted?
I did not say it was insurmountable, but the question is whether it is worth it to us to do so. I may add that I have not had any pressure from the people who might be expected to be concerned here to adhere to this Agreement.