TITLE V
FACTORY MARKS, TRADEMARKS AND SERVICE MARKS
Chapter I
Scope
133. For the purposes of this Law, factory marks, trademarks and service marks shall
be signs suitable for graphic representation used to distinguish the goods or services of a
natural person or legal entity.
The following may constitute such signs:
(a) denominations in all forms such as words, combinations of words, patronymic
names and geographical names, pseudonyms, letters, figures, acronyms;
(b) figurative signs such as drawings, labels, seals, borders, reliefs, holograms, logos,
computer generated imagery; forms, in particular those of the product or its packaging or
those characterizing a service; arrangements, combinations of colors or color shades.
134. The distinctive nature of a sign designed to constitute a mark shall be assessed in
respect of the designated goods or services.
The following shall be devoid of any distinctive nature:
(a) signs or names which, in current or professional language, are solely the necessary,
generic or usual designation for the product or service;
(b) signs or names which can be used to designate a characteristic of the good or
service, and in particular the species, quality, quantity, intended purpose, value, geographical
source or the time of production of the good or provision of service;
(c) signs consisting exclusively of the forms imposed by the nature or the function of
the good, or conferring its substantial value thereon.
135. The following may not be adopted as marks or elements of marks:
(a) signs reproducing the effigy of His Majesty the King, or that of a member of the
Royal Family, the armorial bearings, insignia or official emblems of the Kingdom or of the
other member countries of the Paris Union, the acronyms or names of the United Nations
Organization and international organizations which have been adopted by them or which have
already been the subject of international agreements in force designed to ensure their
protection, national or foreign decorations, Moroccan or foreign coins or banknotes, as well as
any heraldic imitations.
The signs referred to under (a) above may, however, be registered by the entity
responsible for industrial property, if it can be proven that the competent authorities have
authorized such registration.
(b) signs which are contrary to public order or morality, or whose use is legally banned;
(c) signs which are liable to deceive the public, particularly as regards the nature,
quality or geographical origin of the goods or services.
136. No natural or manufactured products bearing either on themselves or on their
packaging, cases, bundles, envelopes, bands or labels a mark, name, sign, stamp, label or
decorative pattern containing a reproduction or drawing of the signs referred to in Article
135(a) above shall be authorized to enter Morocco, and may not be accepted under customs
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