These matters arc dealt with at the Patent Office (Trade Marks Branch), 25 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.2., and a free booklet on the subject may be obtained by application at the above address.

The booklet gives information on the following points :

Who may apply for registration of a Trade Mark ; what a Trade Mark must contain or consist of; special exceptions ; how to apply for the registration ; the special forms to be used ; their price ; and where obtainable ; information with reference to Word Marks ; information regarding the question of a search to ascertain what has previously been registered of a like nature ; information as to the non-completion of the registration ; the restrictions applicable to registration of Trade Marks ; the advertisement of a Trade Mark in the Trade Marks Journal ; the regulations regarding the size, etc., of the block required ; where the blocks should be sent; the regulations applying to an opposition to the registration of a Trade Mark ; the regulations applying to an application of a Trade Mark used on Metal Goods made by anyone within six miles of Hallamshire ; the form to be used on making application to the Cutlers' Company ; and where such form is to be sent; the regulations with regard to the registration of a Cotton Mark; the documents to be used and where to be sent ; regulations with regard to the duration of registration and payment of renewal fees ; regulations to be carried out by anyone who becomes a proprietor of a registered Trade Mark ; regulations with regard to obtaining the Registrar's Certificate in relation to a Trade Mark ; regulations with regard to the inspection of the register and the cost thereof; and the procedure required to obtain a registered Trade Mark in the British Dominions and Colonics. Briefly it will be seen from the booklet that the cost of obtaining the registration of a Trade Mark is £1 on application using the particular Form required and plus £2 fee for the registration using Form TM No. 10. The most generally required Forms are kept in stock at many of the chief Post Offices in London and the chief cities and towns, but they cannot be obtained by post from the Patent Office but may be obtained by personal attendance only, at the Inland Revenue Office in the Patent Office, or at a few days' notice, and upon prepayment of the value of the stamps, at any Money Order Office in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. As to what a Trade Mark should consist of, it would appear that it should be either a design, or signature, or word, or words, of a special or particular nature.

From a commercial point of view, a Trade Mark of an inverted word or words; not easily pronounced without hesitation, by the majority of people, must be of little real value, but vet are met with. It should for greater value be attractive in appearance, pleasant to the ear, and roll off the tongue easily. The duration of the registration is for 14 years from the date of the original application, but can be renewed for further periods of 14 years on payment of the necessary fee of £2. It is recommended that unless the applicant for registration of a Trade Mark has had previous experience, that an agent be employed well up in the necessary procedure. Anyone falsely representing that a Trade Mark is registered is liable on conviction to a fine of £5 for every offence.