S.L. 597.3 Art. 4Relative search.

(1) Pursuant to article 35(1) of the Act, the Office shall carry out a search under the national trademark database for each application received in order to identify identical or similar registrations or applications.

(2) The results of the search shall be notified to the applicant.

(3) If the applicant wishes to withdraw the application, a request for withdrawal shall be submitted to the Office, together with the prescribed withdrawal fee within twenty (20) working days from receipt of the notification.

(4) If the applicant does not submit his request to withdraw the application within the specified time period, the office shall notify the earlier right holder of the results of the search and proceed with the publication of the application accordingly.

(5) An opposition to such an application may be submitted in terms of these rules.