s 12 Examination of application
12.—(1) The Registrar must examine whether an application for registration of a trade mark satisfies the requirements of this Act (including any requirements imposed by rules made under this Act). (2) For the purpose of subsection (1), the Registrar may carry out a search, to such extent as the Registrar considers necessary, of earlier trade marks. (3) If it appears to the Registrar that the requirements for registration are not met or that additional information or evidence is required to meet those requirements, the Registrar must inform the applicant and give the applicant an opportunity, within such period as may be prescribed, to make representations, to amend the application or to provide the additional or any other information or evidence.[42/2005] (4) If the applicant responds within the period mentioned in this subsection or subsection (3) but fails to satisfy the Registrar that those requirements are met, or to amend the application or provide the additional information or evidence so as to meet them, the Registrar may —(a) refuse to accept the application; (b) accept the application but only in relation to the goods or services for which —(i) registration is sought; and (ii) the requirements for registration have been met; or (c) give the applicant another opportunity within a prescribed period to make representations, to amend the application or to provide the additional information or evidence.[Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] (5) If the applicant fails to respond within the period mentioned in subsection (3) or (4)(c), the application, or the application insofar as it relates to those goods or services for which registration is sought but the requirements for registration have not been met, is treated as withdrawn, but the Registrar must accept the application in relation to those goods and services for which registration is sought and the requirements for registration have been met.[Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022] (6) If it appears to the Registrar that the requirements for registration in relation to all of the goods or services for which registration is sought are met, the Registrar must accept the application.[Act 7 of 2022 wef 26/05/2022]