HL Deb 28 July 1993 vol 548 cc127-8WA
Lord Renwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action has been taken to implement Council Directive No. 89/104/EEC of 21st December 1988 to approximate the laws of the Member States relating to trade marks;

When they plan to ratify the Madrid Protocol relating to the international registration of marks of 27th June 1989; and

Whether there has been any change in policy in connection with the protection of trade and service marks from that set out in the Department of Trade and Industry White Paper Reform of Trade Marks Law presented to Parliament in September 1990 (Cm 1203).

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Baroness Denton of Wakefield)

There has been no change in policy in connection with the protection of trade and service marks since the publication of the White Paper Reform of Trade Marks Law (Cm 1203). A Bill to implement the proposals in the White Paper, and which incorporates provisions to comply with the Community Directive (No. 89/104/EEC), as well as to ratify the Madrid Protocol relating the the international registration of marks, has been fully drafted and will be introduced as soon as the Parliamentary timetable permits.