Explanatory note

This note is not part of the order, but is intended to indicate its general effect.

This order brings into force, on 1 January 1995, the Trade Marks Amendment Act 1994. The Act and a number of other Acts that also come into force on 1 January 1995 give effect to the various trade agreements that form part of the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization. The Act implements provisions of the Uruguay Round Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (the TRIPS Agreement).

The principal amendments relate to the substitution of a new definition of the term trade mark, the extension of protection given to registered proprietors of trade marks, and the enactment of provisions for the detention, forfeiture, and disposal of imported goods that infringe registered trade marks.