Comparative Study On Sound Mark And Its Registration Requirement

As the economics grows, the market prospered in a fast pace, and thetrademarks that are connected to reputations of the business are also concerned. Thenew Trademark Law and Trademark Practice Manual in our country will be put intoforce on May1st,2014. One important aspect is that this is the first time the sound isdeemed as a trademark and thus protected by law. One should never take less effortin protecting sound as a new trademark, for sound mark is how the consumersidentify the product of business service through hearing. Compared withconventional trademarks, sound mark is more difficult to present visually, which adddifficulties in registration. But unlike other non-conventional trademarks, such asscent mark and touch mark, sound mark is more objective and easier to be set. Thisadds complexity to how to use and protect sound mark. To use a sound mark that isprotected, the sound mark has to be registered first. The sound mark can beregistered and protected only when it has both essential qualification and proceduralqualification. However, after the new Trademark Law and Trademark PracticeManual are published, the registration process still has some issues awaits furtherconsideration compared with other more developed countries. In order to shed somelights on this topic and also to enhance economic development opportunities, weshould study and learn from other countries and areas experiences to help better thesystem on sound mark.