Trademarks Act

Marginal note:When mark or name confusing

• 6 (1) For the purposes of this Act, a trade-mark or trade-name is confusing with another trade-mark or trade-name if the use of the first mentioned trade-mark or trade-name would cause confusion with the last mentioned trade-mark or trade-name in the manner and circumstances described in this section.

• Marginal note:Idem

  (2) The use of a trade-mark causes confusion with another trade-mark if the use of both trade-marks in the same area would be likely to lead to the inference that the goods or services associated with those trade-marks are manufactured, sold, leased, hired or performed by the same person, whether or not the goods or services are of the same general class.

• Marginal note:Idem

  (3) The use of a trade-mark causes confusion with a trade-name if the use of both the trade-mark and trade-name in the same area would be likely to lead to the inference that the goods or services associated with the trade-mark and those associated with the business carried on under the trade-name are manufactured, sold, leased, hired or performed by the same person, whether or not the goods or services are of the same general class.

• Marginal note:Idem

  (4) The use of a trade-name causes confusion with a trade-mark if the use of both the trade-name and trade-mark in the same area would be likely to lead to the inference that the goods or services associated with the business carried on under the trade-name and those associated with the trade-mark are manufactured, sold, leased, hired or performed by the same person, whether or not the goods or services are of the same general class.

• Marginal note:What to be considered

  (5) In determining whether trade-marks or trade-names are confusing, the court or the Registrar, as the case may be, shall have regard to all the surrounding circumstances including

  • (a) the inherent distinctiveness of the trade-marks or trade-names and the extent to which they have become known;

  • (b) the length of time the trade-marks or trade-names have been in use;

  • (c) the nature of the goods, services or business;

  • (d) the nature of the trade; and

  • (e) the degree of resemblance between the trade-marks or trade-names in appearance or sound or in the ideas suggested by them.