The Indian Trademark Registry in last 6 months has notified removal of over 56, 400 Trademark registration from the Register of Trademark due to non-payment of the prescribed renewal fees. However, by way of a Public Notice dated September 24, 2010 the Trade Marks Registry has extended opportunity to the trademark owners to restore their India trademarks, which were erroneously removed by the Registry.

Pursuant to the Notice, the Trademark Proprietors are required to file a petition before the Registry bringing out the facts associated with non-payments of renewal fees and necessary evidences by November 30, 2010. Based on the petition, the Registry would decide restoration of those marks.

This notification seeks to address the bonafide interests of the trademark owners whose mark got relapsed due to non-receipt of trademark certificates, or due to change of agents or non- recordal of change of address for service request etc. This can be seen as a continuation of the measures taken up by the Intellectual Property Office to ensure that the digitization of the working of the office becomes a reality. These measures are being undertaken to bring the Intellectual Property Office in line with its counterparts in other jurisdictions.