Section 30

This section has effect with respect to the rights of a licensee in relation to infringement of a registered trade mark. The provisions of this section do not apply where or to the extent that, by virtue of section 31(1) below (exclusive licensee having rights and remedies of assignee), the licensee has a right to bring proceedings in his own name. Except so far as the licence provides otherwise a licensee may only bring proceedings for infringement of the registered trade mark with the consent of the proprietor (but see subsections (2) and (3)). An exclusive licensee may call on the proprietor of the registered trade mark to take infringement proceedings in respect of any matter which affects his interests. If the proprietor mentioned in subsection (2)— the exclusive licensee may bring the proceedings in his own name as if he were the proprietor. refuses to do so, or fails to do so within two months after being called upon, Where infringement proceedings are brought by a licensee by virtue of this section or with the consent of the proprietor or pursuant to the licence, the licensee may not, without the leave of the court, proceed with the action unless the proprietor is either joined as a plaintiff or added as a defendant. This does not affect the granting of interlocutory relief on an application by a licensee alone. A proprietor who is added as a defendant as mentioned in subsection (4) shall not be made liable for any costs in the action unless he takes part in the proceedings. In infringement proceedings brought by the proprietor of a registered trade mark any loss suffered or likely to be suffered by licensees shall be taken into account; and the court may give such directions as it thinks fit as to the extent to which the plaintiff is to hold the proceeds of any pecuniary remedy on behalf of licensees. Where the proprietor of a registered trade mark brings infringement proceedings, a licensee who has suffered loss is entitled to intervene in the proceedings for the purpose of obtaining compensation for that loss. The provisions of this section apply in relation to an exclusive licensee if or to the extent that he has, by virtue of section 31(1), the rights and remedies of an assignee as if he were the proprietor of the registered trade mark.

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Source: legislation.gov.uk · retrieved 2026-09-04