Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market

HC Deb 15 November 2000 vol 356 c671W

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the(a) role and (b) mandate of the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market, with particular reference to the nature of the harmonization concerned. [138080]

Dr. Howells

The Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market deals with Community-wide intellectual property rights. It is responsible for the registration and subsequent administration of Community trade marks. This role is likely to expand following adoption of a Community Regulation which will create Community-wide rights for industrial designs. It is self-financing from fees paid by businesses who use the system, and expects to receive some 60,000 applications for Community trade marks this year. The Office began its work on 1 September 1994 in Alicante, Spain.