During the press conference, director general of CTMO, Mr. An Qinghu, made a brief introduction outlining the introduction of China's trademark registration and administration, and announced that CTMO would begin to allow online search of trademark registration information for the public for the first time. This will basically mean from December 26, 2005, anybody can search relevant trademark registration information via the "China Trademark Website." (http://www.ctmo.gov.cn or http://sbj.saic.gov.cn )
 
It is said that the trademark information available for search provided on the website includes information concerning both registered trademarks and trademark applications.

There are three types of information search available on the website:

1. Searching of identical or similar trademarks:
Search of identical or similar trademarks refers to a search which is to find out whether the applicant's trademark is identical with, or similar to the trademark of another person that has, in respect of the same or similar goods, been registered or, after examination, preliminarily approved.

2. Searching of general trademark information.
Search of general trademark information refers to the search to find out the information related to a trademark whose registration number (or application number), the name of applicant (or trademark owner) or trademark characters are already known.

3. Searching of trademark application status.
Search of trademark application status is to find out the present status of a trademark application in the workflow in accordance with application number or registration number.

There are three major features in respect of online search of trademark registration information: firstly, users are free to search on line; secondly, the pre-application search provided to the public is basically similar to that used by trademark examiners at CTMO; and finally, the trademark search database will be updated once a week.

He also points out that opening trademark online search to the public means China's trademark automation, openness of government affairs and social service have reached a higher level, which will no doubt contribute greatly to search of trademark information by the public, protecting exclusive rights to use a registered trademark and generally enhancing society's trademark awareness.
 
Mr. An Qinghu also stresses that after the start of the online search of trademark registration information service, CTMO will make every effort to provide trademark information which is as accurate as possible, and will keep on updating the information in the trademark search database. If incorrect information is found during a search, the public can submit correction advice through an "Error Report" on the website, and CTMO will correct the relevant information as soon as possible after verification.

An Qinghu said, "China Trademark Website" is the only website for online search of trademark registration run by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC). In order to visit the online search function of the trademark registration information system, simply log onto the  "China Trademark Website," then click on "Trademark Search."

Yesterday's figures show the site has already recorded over 150 million hits, 2.67 million of which were from the US, Japan, EU and other foreign countries. An Qinghu speculated that this number could reach 200 million in the near future, after the trademark registration information search system is available to domestic and foreign applicants or their agencies; the general public, experts and scholars who have interests in trademarking and the judicial staff from authorities such as customs.

(CMTO, China.org.cn December 27, 2005)