We are delighted to advise that, after a break of many years, the Gambian Registry has resumed publication of the Trade Marks Journal. Volume No.1 of 2000, backdated to 10 July 2007, appeared in February 2008, and further volumes are currently with the Government Printer.
Until now, the last applications to be advertised were filed in 1983, and apart from a one-off issue which appeared in 1997, publication of the Journal had been suspended since May 1986. This was because the official files for a number of applications filed between 1983 and 1990 have been mislaid, and the Registrar insisted that all cases be advertised in strictly chronological order. However, she has revised this approach, and is now concentrating her efforts on advertising any complete month/year batches that she can identify. At present, she is working backwards from February 2000, and it is the intention that applications filed subsequently will be advertised in due course.
Resources are limited, and how long it will take to clear the 25-year backlog remains to be seen. However, through our local office, Spoor & Fisher Gambia, we are working closely with the Registrar, and are investigating ways of accelerating the process.
Naturally, our files will be monitored, and all advertisements reported.
If we can be of any assistance in connection with any of your Gambian matters, or should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Spoor & Fisher Jersey on info@spoor.co.uk , tel. +44 1534 838000, fax +44 1534 838001.
Matthew Costard
Spoor & Fisher