Before the Minister issues any notice under section ten, eleven, twelve or fifteen he shall, by direct communication with the persons who he has reason to believe are interested in the matter, or by notice in the Gazette, invite persons interested in the matter to submit representations on the matter within a period stated, and shall take into consideration all representations so submitted. 14. Unauthorized use of certain emblems (1) For purposes of this section a person uses a mark or trade mark if he or she uses it(a) in connection with his or her trade, business, profession or occupation; or (b) in connection with a mark, trade mark or trade description applied by him or her to goods made, produced or sold by him or her. [Sub-s. (1) substituted by s. 6 of Act 50 of 2001.] (1A) (a) No person may use a mark or trade mark which consists of or contains the national flag of a convention country, or an imitation from a heraldic point of view, without authorization of the competent authority of the convention country or without being in possession of an authorization in writing signed by or on behalf of the Minister. (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply if no authorization for the use of a mark or trade mark contemplated in that paragraph is required by the convention country. [Sub-s. (1A) inserted by s. 6 of Act 50 of 2001.] (1B) No person may use a mark or trade mark which consists of or contains the armorial bearings or any other state emblem, of the Republic or a convention country, or an imitation from a heraldic point of view, without authorization of the competent authority of the Republic or convention country, as the case may be. [Sub-s. (1B) inserted by s. 6 of Act 50 of 2001.] (1C) No person may use a mark or trade mark which consists of or contains an official sign or hallmark adopted by the Republic or a convention country, or an imitation from a heraldic point of view, and which indicates control and warranty in relation to goods or services of the same or similar kind as those in relation to which such official sign or hallmark indicates control and warranty, without authorization of the competent authority of the Republic or convention country, as the case may be. [Sub-s. (1C) inserted by s. 6 of Act 50 of 2001.] (1D) (a) No person may use a mark or trade mark which consists of or contains the flag, armorial bearings or any other emblem, or an imitation from a heraldic point of view, or the name, or abbreviation of the name, of any international organization of which any convention country is a member, without authorization by such organization.