{"id":23971,"date":"2021-01-12T14:25:11","date_gmt":"2021-01-12T08:55:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/?p=23971"},"modified":"2021-01-12T14:25:13","modified_gmt":"2021-01-12T08:55:13","slug":"importance-of-claiming-user-date-in-trademark-registration-application","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/importance-of-claiming-user-date-in-trademark-registration-application\/","title":{"rendered":"Importance of Claiming a \u201cUser Date\u201d in Trademark Registration Application"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Trademark registration in India is based on prior to use and first to\nclaim. This means that the person who applies for the brand name in the first\nplace will be given priority for registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, when two trademark applications are applied and compared, the person who can claim an earlier date of use may have a stronger basis than the other. Therefore, the importance of the user date in the <a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/trademark-registration\"><strong>trademark registration<\/strong><\/a> and application is unavoidable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Page Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/importance-of-claiming-user-date-in-trademark-registration-application\/#What_Is_%E2%80%9CUser_Date%E2%80%9D_In_Trademark_Registration\" >What Is \u201cUser Date\u201d In Trademark\nRegistration?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/importance-of-claiming-user-date-in-trademark-registration-application\/#What_Proofs_Can_Uphold_The_Prior_Use_Claim\" >What Proofs Can Uphold The Prior Use Claim?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/importance-of-claiming-user-date-in-trademark-registration-application\/#What_Are_The_Benefits_Of_Claiming_User_Date\" >What Are The Benefits Of Claiming User Date?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/importance-of-claiming-user-date-in-trademark-registration-application\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_%E2%80%9CUser_Date%E2%80%9D_In_Trademark_Registration\"><\/span>What Is \u201cUser Date\u201d In Trademark\nRegistration?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The user date is the date in which the trademark is being used in\ncommercial transactions whether with or without registration. As stated above,\nthe former user has more importance than the registered mark or application\nmade. Therefore, to claim priority over the brand name, the applicant must\nprovide the user&#8217;s date and prove it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under the Indian Trade Marks Act, 1999, an online trademark application can\nbe made on any two grounds:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>An Online Trademark Application can be Made\non any Two Grounds<\/strong><ul><li>Claiming User Date<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>As Proposed to be Used<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If the user&#8217;s date is claimed, the applicant will provide evidence of\nusage on the said date. If the applicant fails to give any evidence for the\nsaid date, he should claim the date for which the proof is available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Proofs_Can_Uphold_The_Prior_Use_Claim\"><\/span>What Proofs Can Uphold The Prior Use Claim?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When the application claims a specific date from which the applicable\ntrademark is being used, the appropriate documentation as proof of use will\naccompany the application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Documents containing the brand name and date, which have public circulation or prove the commercial use of the brand name, may be adopted as evidence for this purpose. Following are the documents to be filed with the application to claim the user date:-<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Proofs-Can-Uphold-The-Prior-Use.png\" alt=\"Proofs Can Uphold The Prior Use Claim\" class=\"wp-image-24008\" width=\"524\" height=\"280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Proofs-Can-Uphold-The-Prior-Use.png 985w, https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Proofs-Can-Uphold-The-Prior-Use-300x161.png 300w, https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Proofs-Can-Uphold-The-Prior-Use-768x411.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 524px) 100vw, 524px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>User Affidavit<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The user&#8217;s affidavit\nmust be attached to the application for online trademark registration in India.\nThe applicant referred in the affidavit as a delegation that the facts claimed in relation to\nthe date announced and the use of the brand name are true. The affidavit shall\nbe notarized after the suitable application of Stamp Duty Charges. The user&#8217;s\naffidavit will be provided along with any other proof given below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Invoices and Bills<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Invoices issued to a consumer\nshould be presented. In addition, bills received for any expenditure\nsuch as purchase of raw materials, hiring of services in connection with trade,\nbills for publication of brochures and banners etc. can be submitted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bills &amp; invoices proof the commercial use of the brand name. If the\nsaid invoice or bill is furnished, the applicant should provide at least two invoices\nfor each year from the claimed user date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Government Registration Certificates<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A registration\ncertificate issued by the Government of India or a state or any other authority\nmay support an application as it validates the business or commercial transactions\nof the applicant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Online Presence<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many businesses have their presence on the Internet or social media\nportals. Any registration or any certificate received for the domain can be\npresented there. Since many businesses only work through social media channels,\na snap shot or promotion of the post can also be counted to support the claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Publication to the Public at Large<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Any announcements, advertisements or announcements circulating on a\npublic platform in newspapers or in any other way are also a valid proof to\nestablish this claim. However, the publication must have a published date and\nbrand name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the applicant is not able to submit any of the above documents as an\nattachment to an application, the application must be made as\n&#8220;proposed&#8221;, which means that the date of application as the priority\ndate will be considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_The_Benefits_Of_Claiming_User_Date\"><\/span><strong>What Are The Benefits Of Claiming User Date?<\/strong><strong><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The below discussed are the advantages of claiming \u2018User Date\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Distinctiveness to Mark<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A descriptive mark cannot be incorporated, but an exception is when a\ndescriptive trademark assumes a secondary meaning in the market concerned; Mark\nassumes a distinction and identity in the market. Thus, prolonged usage makes\nthe mark distinct and adds a support to an application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Provides an Exclusive Right to Trademark<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Trade Marks Act<\/strong><sup><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Indian_trademark_law\"><strong>[1]<\/strong><\/a><\/sup> prohibits a registered owner from interfering with the user rights of a former user. It is made clear through the decision that prior user registration may have priority and at the same time it prevents a third person from trademark registration or infringing on a mark that is similar to the former company or individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Dealing With Objections and Proceedings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The first use is an\neffective basis for claiming authority over protection. During an objection or\nopposition to a third party, the former user will have the upper hand over the\nother. If the date of the user is not mentioned in the application, the\napplicant cannot claim during the proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Prior Usage and Passing Off<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Passing off is considered a right that protects unregistered marks\nagainst registered marks. The Act states that the former user can take action\nagainst other users for closure, including a registered user using the same\ntrademark or brand name. However, the former user has to prove the user date of\nthe said brand name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Trademark registration has its perks. To prevent trademark infringement\nand protect your trademark well, it is always better to state a valid user date\nin the trademark registration application. A pre-use claim adds value to the\ngoodwill built over the years and makes applicants more strong on the\ntrademark. Therefore an affidavit for such use with supporting documents must\naccompany a valid claim application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Such a claim may change the tables in a trademark case. The application\ndate requires a claim for the application date, as the failure will not allow\nthe applicant to receive the benefit of use. During years of use, the value and\ngoodwill created can be passed on to an organization that has never used the brand\nname or started using in recent times, perhaps even a competitor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, instead of waiving the rights and value created over the years, the user&#8217;s date will be claimed according to the submission of the user&#8217;s proof and the affidavit that has been set. It should also be assured that the user&#8217;s date proof contains the date of publication of the issue and the brand name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-left\"><b>Read our article<\/b>:<mark style=\"background: #fffd03 !important;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/a-trademark-application-for-foreign-nationals-is-it-possible-in-india\/\">\nA Trademark Application for Foreign Nationals: Is it Possible in India?\n<\/a><\/mark><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trademark registration in India is based on prior to use and first to claim. This means that the person who applies for the brand name in the first place will be given priority for registration. In addition, when two trademark applications are applied and compared, the person who can claim an earlier date of use [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":24010,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[1419],"acf":{"service_id":"18"},"authorName":"Komal Singh","authorImageUrl":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/processed.jpeg","authorDescription":"Komal Singh is a Legal scholar, having diverse experience in scripting research papers, articles &amp; dissertations, which serves her main interest &amp; competent in drafting legal documents. She has polished her skills in dealing with the matter related to consumer affairs and now building intelligible Legal Content for Corpbiz.","postViews":6802,"readingTime":4,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23971"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23971"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23971\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24014,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23971\/revisions\/24014"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24010"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/corpbiz.io\/learning\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}