Previously, patent and trademark registration certificates in Hong Kong were issued in paper form. Now, they are being transitioned to electronic certificates. This change is designed to provide businesses and individuals with a more efficient and accessible way to verify their intellectual property rights. The new electronic certificates will streamline the registration process and enhance security measures, offering better protection for the rights of patent and trademark holders.

With effect from 28 June 2024, for trade mark, patent and design applicants or their agents who are registered e-filers, the Trade Marks, Patents and Designs Registries (collectively "the Registries") will start issuing electronic (instead of paper) certificates to them.[1]

This default arrangement will cover applications published on or after a certain cut-off date as follows —

⬧ trade mark applications published on or after 15 March 2024;

⬧ patent applications published for grant on or after 28 June 2024; and

⬧ design applications published on or after 28 June 2024.

In individual cases, registered e-filers may wish to opt out of the above default arrangement and receive paper certificates instead.[2] If so, they must send their requests in writing to the Registries in advance and in accordance with the following notice periods-

(a) for trade mark applications: within six weeks from the date of notice of publication of the application in question;

(b) for patent applications: within two weeks from the date of notice of publication for grant of the patent in question; and

(c) for design applications: within two weeks from the date of notice of acceptance of the application in question.

Parties who are not registered e-filers, viz. one-time e-filers without registration and those using paper submission, will continue to receive paper certificates of registration/grant for trade marks, patents and designs. They are encouraged to become registered e-filers to benefit from the new service.

[1] Provided that their last correspondences to the Registries are by electronic means via the E-filing System.

[2] During the transitional period, if registered e-filers wish to opt out of receiving electronic certificates for trade mark applications published/scheduled for publication from the cut-off date of 15 March 2024 up to 31 May 2024, they should inform the Registries as soon as possible and in any case, no later than the expiry of the three-month opposition period.