注册汤加商标，你所需要了解的有多少？
1. 概要
1.汤加位于南太平洋上斐济以东，夏威夷南3600公里处，由150个岛屿组成。以前是英属保护国，1970年6月4日成为独立的英联邦国家成员。
汤加原来的商标法为1939年9月28日起生效的1939年第11号条例，新的工业产权法和规定于2000年2月1日起生效。
2.属于英美法系，采用使用在先原则，但也兼顾注册在先原则。
3.商标种类包括：商品商标、服务商标和集体商标。
4.采用的是《商标注册用商品和服务国际分类》。
5.汤加是巴黎公约成员国。
二、可作为商标注册的构成要素
1.可作为商标注册的标志可以包括：字母、文字、姓名、签字、数字、图形、印记、标签、签条、标题及以上组合。
2.以特殊或特别方式表示的个人或公司名称。
3.申请人或其前辈的签字。
4.对商品的特点或质量没有直接描述的文字和按普通意思，非地理名称或姓氏的文字。
5.除上述以外的任何显著性的标志。
三、不可作为商标注册的要素
1.相对禁用要素：
(1)当用于相关的商品上时，该标志中的含义可能造成欺骗或混淆;
(2)与在先申请的或者已经注册商标冲突的标志。
2.绝对禁用要素：
(1)丑恶可耻的标志;
(2)违背法律或道德的标志;
(3)仅由表示商品或服务的种类、质量、数量、用途、价值、原产地、制造时间/提供服务时间，或其他特点构成的标志。
四、申请人资格
1.正在使用或者打算使用在某种商品或服务上的商标的所有人，包括自然人、公司、非公司性质团体、托拉斯、政治团体。
2.原来基于英国商标注册取得的在汤加的商标注册全部无效，所有商标必须于新法生效日起12个月内重新提交注册申请。
五、商标的申请和注册
1.商标局受理商标注册申请。
2.申请所需文件：
(1)申请书(包括申请人名称地址、具体商标名称和使用商品/服务);可以在一件申请中指定多个商品/服务类别;
(2)委托书(简单签署);
(3)商标图样墨稿10份。可以要求优先权，但需要提交优先权证明文件。
3.官方语言为英语。
4.申请提交以后，商标局将依照商标法规定进行形式审查和实质审查，如发现不符合法律规定情况，将发出审查意见书或驳回申请，通过审查的商标将获得公告，如无人异议成异议不成立的，商标局将核准注册并颁发商标注册证。
六、商标的驳回
1.当商标局审查一件商标注册申请时发现如下情况将驳回申请：
(1)商标中有某种特定标志，如汤加国旗、国徽、世界知识产权组织标志等或与之近似标志的;
(2)商标不能以图或文字方式表现出来的;
(3)商标不能起到区分申请人商品或服务的作用的;
(4)商标中含有或由丑恶可耻的标志构成，或者其使用将违反法律的;
(5)商标或其中的标志带有的含义，或者商标在商品或服务上的使用将欺骗公众或者很容易导致公众混淆的;
(6)与在先注册的或申请的商标构成类似商品或服务上的近似商标的。
2.克服由在先注册/申请商标导致驳回的途径：
(1)限定使用商品或服务项目，或者删除相同/类似的商品或服务，从而避免与在先注册/申请商标冲突;
(2)与在先商标所有人谈判，设法令其修订商品或服务，或者出具同意书，或者撤销其商标，或者转让其商标;
(3)提交两商标长期并存使用证据或者商标在先使用证据。
1. Summary
1. Tonga is located 3,600 kilometres south of Hawaii east of Fiji in the South Pacific and comprises 150 islands. Previously a British protectorate, Member of an independent Commonwealth State on 4 June 1970.
Tonga ' s original trademark law was No. 11 of 1939, which came into force on September 28, 1939. The new industrial property law and regulations came into force on February 1, 2000.
2. Belongs to the common law system, using the principle of prior use, but also taking into account the principle of prior registration.
3.The trademark types include : commodity trademark, service trademark and collective trademark.
4. The International Classification of Goods and Services for Trademark Registration was adopted.
5. Tonga is a member of the Paris Pact.
2. Possible elements for trademark registration
1.It can be used as a sign of trademark registration can include : letters, characters, names, signatures, numbers, graphics, seals, labels, signs, titles and above combination.
2.The names of individuals or companies in special or special way.
3. Signature of the applicant or his predecessor.
4.Characteristics or quality of goods without direct description of the text and according to the general meaning, non-geographical names or surnames of the text.
5. Marks of any distinctiveness other than those mentioned above.
3. Not as an element of trademark registration
1. Relatively prohibited elements :
( 1 ) When used in related goods, the meaning of the logo may cause deception or confusion ;
( 2 ) Marks of conflict with prior application or registered trademark.
2. Elements of absolute prohibition :
( 1 ) The symbol of ugly shame ;
( 2 ) signs that violate the law or morality ;
( 3 ) Only by the type of goods or services, quality, quantity, use, value, origin, manufacturing time / service time, or other characteristics constitute a symbol.
4. Applicant qualifications
1.Owners who are using or intend to use trademarks on certain goods or services, including natural persons, companies, non-corporate groups, Tolas, political groups.
2.The original trademark registration in Tonga based on the British trademark registration is invalid, all trademarks must be resubmitted within 12 months of the new law.
5. Application and registration of trademarks
1. The Trademark Office receives applications for registration of trademarks.
2. Documents required for the application :
( 1 ) An application ( including the name and address of the applicant, the specific trademark name and the use of goods / services ) ; multiple commodity / service categories can be specified in one application ;
( 2 ) proxy ( simple signature ) ;
( 3 ) 10 manuscripts of trademark drawings. You can request priority, but you need to submit a priority document.
3. The official language is English.
4.After the application is submitted, the Trademark Office will conduct formal review and substantive review in accordance with the provisions of the trademark law, if found not in line with the provisions of the law, will issue a review opinion or reject the application, through the review of the trademark will be announced, if no objection is not established, the Trademark Office will approve the registration and issue a trademark registration certificate.
( 2 ) A trade mark cannot be shown in graphic or written form ;
( 3 ) trademark cannot play a role in distinguishing the goods or services of the applicant ;
( 4 ) trademark contains or consists of ugly and shameful signs, or its use will violate the law ;
( 6 ) A similar trade mark in goods or services to a registered or applied trade mark.
2. Overcoming avenues of rejection resulting from prior registration / application of trademarks :
( 3 ) Submit evidence of long-term coexistence of two trademarks or prior use of trademark evidence.
