§ Mr. Parkasked the Secretary of State for Trade what specific results have emerged from the revised regulations effective in June 1978, on the question of the registration by the Japanese of geographic names as trade marks, and similarity in packaging by Japanese companies of United Kingdom goods.
§ Mr. EyrePresent indications are that the revised regulations which became effective in the Japanese Trade Marks Office in June 1978 go a long way towards preventing the registration in Japan of geographical names. Since then Her Majesty's Government have needed to make representations on only one case—which is still pending. The Department has no knowledge of any complaint about Japanese companies using similar packaging to that used by United Kingdom firms.