Canada Cooperatives Regulations

10 For the purpose of paragraph 23(a) of the Act, a cooperative name is prohibited if its use causes confusion with a trade-mark, official mark or trade-name, having regard to the circumstances, including

• (a) the inherent distinctiveness of the whole or any element of the trade-mark, official mark or trade-name and the extent to which it has become known;

• (b) the length of time that the trade-mark, official mark or trade-name has been in use;

• (c) the nature of the goods, services or business with which the trade-mark, official mark or trade-name is associated;

• (d) the nature of the trade with which the trade-mark, official mark or trade-name is associated;

• (e) the degree of resemblance between the proposed cooperative name and the trade-mark, official mark or trade-name in appearance or sound or in the ideas suggested by them; and

• (f) the geographical area in Canada in which the trade name or proposed cooperative name is likely to be used.