56:3-13.3b. Review of registration decisions, procedure

14. a. An applicant or registrant shall have the right of appeal solely on the record to an administrative law judge designated by the Office of Administrative Law or to the Superior Court in Mercer County as follows:

(1) The grounds shall include:

(a) any decision by the Secretary of State refusing registration or renewal of an existing registration, or;

(b) the failure of the Secretary of State to update the register of marks in the manner provided by section 8 of P.L.1966, c.263 (C.56:3-13.8).

(2) An appeal shall not be taken until a formal request for reconsideration of the action at issue has been filed and denied by the Office of the Secretary of State.

(3) A notice of intent to appeal shall be filed with the Secretary of State at least 10 days prior to the taking of any appeal.

(4) An appeal may be taken by filing a complaint with the designated administrative law judge or with the Superior Court in Mercer County requesting equitable relief for the grounds on which the appeal is made. No money damages or costs shall be awarded if the requested relief is granted.

(5) A copy of the complaint shall be served on the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of State shall have the right to elect to intervene and defend, oppose or otherwise participate in the appeal.

(6) The Secretary of State shall promulgate the fees and charges for the appeal, which fees and charges shall be the same as that for other appeals, to an administrative law judge or to the New Jersey Superior Court.

b. Where grounds exist for cancellation as provided in section 8 of P.L.1966, c.263 (C.56:3-13.8), and the Secretary of State has not cancelled the mark, a third party with standing may, by petition to the Secretary of State, move to have the registration declared void and removed from the register of marks of record by acting as follows:

(1) A petition to cancel shall be filed with the Secretary of State, which shall state the facts in support of the petition, and shall be accompanied by a fee established by the Secretary of State.

(2) A copy of the petition shall be served on the registrant or the owner of the mark by certified mail, return receipt requested, and notice of the service shall be filed with the Secretary of State.

(3) The registrant or owner shall have 20 days from receipt of the petition within which to respond to the petition, providing evidence in support of the objection to the cancellation. The Secretary of State may provide an extension of time for the response.

(4) In the event that the registrant or owner files no objection to the cancellation, or in the event that grounds for cancellation are clear on the record, the Secretary of State shall order cancellation. In the event that the Secretary of State denies cancellation, the petitioner shall have a right of appeal to the designated administrative law judge or to the Superior Court in Mercer County in accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraphs (4), (5) and (6) of subsection a. of this section.

(5) Upon service of a copy of the complaint on the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State shall have the right to elect to intervene and defend, oppose or otherwise participate in the appeal.

c. In any action brought against a nonresident registrant under this section, service may be effected in accordance with the procedures established for service upon nonresident corporations and business entities as provided in Rule 4:4-4(c) of the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey, or any amendment to that rule.

L.1995,c.171,s.14.