Trade Marks

Other Countries.-In

France (laws of June 23, 1857, and March 3, 189o) trade marks are optional, but may be declared compulsory for certain specified articles by decrees in the form of administrative orders. The decrees regulating registration are of Feb. 27, 1891, and Dec. 17, 1892. The following are considered trade marks : Names of a distinctive character, appellations, emblems, imprints, stamps, seals, vignettes, reliefs, letters, num bers, wrappers and every other sign serving to distinguish the products of a manufacture or the articles of a trade. By legislation of Aug. 1, 1905, and July II, 1906, provision is made for marking certain classes of commodities, mainly food products, to prevent falsification and the sale of foreign products as French. See also law of March 9, 1911, ratifying the convention between France and Japan for the mutual protection of trade marks in China.

Under the German trade mark law of May 12, 1894, any person whatsoever can acquire protection for a trade mark, and all foreigners in Germany are placed on an exactly equal footing with Germans in the eyes of the law, so long as they have a domicile (Niederlassung) within the State, i.e., a place of business or a

residence which involves the payment of German taxes. The registration of a trade mark expires ipso facto after ten years from its date, but may be renewed for a similar period. See also laws of June 2, 1911, and May 12, 1924, and regulations of April 3o, 192o.

The following other foreign trade mark laws may also be noted: Austria, law of 1890 (published in Vienna on Jan. 6, and in Buda pest on April 6, 1890), and amending laws of July 3o, 1895, which enactment protects additions to trade marks, and Jan. 17, 1913, and law of May 24, 1919, providing for the renewal of trade marks under the old law. Denmark (law of April II, 189o, an amending law of Dec. 19, 1898, which enabled traders to register words or figures, provided that these are not indicative of the origin, kind, use, quality or price of the goods, and a law of April 29, 1913, permitting associations to register collective names, and a law of Nov. 13, 1903, as to Iceland). Japan (law of July I and regula tions of July 2, 1899, and law of April 1, 1921). For offences against the Merchandise Marks Acts or Trade Marks Acts see