The revised Trademark Law, due to take effect on May 1, will streamline trademark registration procedures and improve trademark protection, a senior Chinese official has said.

The new law will bring about significant changes to the current trademark management system, Zhang Mao, director of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, told Xinhua in an interview ahead of the trademark reform.

The examination period of trademark application will be shortened to 9 months, he said. This period was once as long as 30 months and was shortened to about 10 months last year.

Sounds can be registered and protected as trademarks in the new law, said Zhang. The sounds should be easily distinguished and recognizable. [ The law expands the list of activities that constitute trademark infringement and increases punishments.

China's top legislature adopted an amendment to the Trademark Law last August. The amendment strengthens intellectual property protection and ensures a fair market for trademark holders.

Special equipment accidents kill 21 in China 0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, April 29, 2014 Adjust font size: Accidents involving special equipment such as elevators and boilers left 21 people dead and 12 injured last month in China, a government official said on Tuesday.

The casualties were incurred in a total of 18 such accidents, said Chen Xitong, a spokesman for the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ).

Chen said that a lack of safety awareness, improper use of equipment and slack security management at work sites had led to the accidents.

He added that the AQSIQ has asked local authorities to strengthen checks on special equipment to ensure work safety.

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