asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, while the EEC are considering a directive on trade marks, there is any objection to a person in Ireland registering in his own name established European trade marks not previously registered here.
Written Answers. - Trade Mark Registration.
118.
Under the Trade Marks Act, 1963, any person claiming to be the proprietor of a trade mark, whether a citizen of Ireland or not, may apply for the registration of that trade mark in Ireland. Each application is considered on its merits on the basis of examination under our law. The law in general prohibits registration of a trade mark if an identical trade mark is already on the Irish register in the name of a different proprietor in respect of the same goods or goods of the same description. The law does not prohibit the registration of a trade mark because of the existence of an identical trade mark on the trade mark register of another European country.