What can and cannot be registered?

Each mark is examined in accordance with the Trade-marks Act.

he kinds of marks that you may not register include the following:

• names and surnames;
• clearly descriptive marks;
• deceptively misdescriptive marks;
• words that denote a geographical location commonly known to be the place of origin of such goods or services;
• words or designs that are considered confusing with a previously registered trade-mark or pending trade-mark; and
• words or designs that nearly resemble a prohibited mark.

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