(1) If, in the period that ends 1 month after the date the initial assessment is published in a computer database maintained by the Trade Marks Office in accordance with subregulation 16.3(3):
(a) a person requests the Commission in writing to hold a conference on a matter included in the initial assessment; and
(b) no person otherwise responds in writing to the Commission in relation to a notice under subregulation 16.3(2) or a publication under subregulation 16.3(3);
the Commission must hold the conference before it makes a decision on the application.
(2) As soon as practicable after the Commission receives a request under subregulation (1) for a conference, the Commission must:
(a) invite the applicant and any other person mentioned in subregulation (1):
(i) to attend the conference; and
(ii) to make an oral or written submission at the conference on the views expressed by another person that are mentioned in subparagraph (b)(ii); and
(b) give to the applicant and any other person mentioned in subregulation (1):
(i) reasonable notice of the time, date and place of the conference; and
(ii) a reasonable opportunity to express views that are relevant to the conference, either orally at, or by written submission before or during, the conference; and
(iii) a copy of each written submission to which subparagraph (ii) refers that is made by another person.
(3) If, in the period that ends 1 month after the date the initial assessment is published in a computer database maintained by the Trade Marks Office in accordance with subregulation 16.3(3):
(a) a person requests the Commission in writing to hold a conference on a matter included in the initial assessment; and
(b) a person otherwise responds in writing to the Commission in relation to a notice under subregulation 16.3(2) or a publication under subregulation 16.3(3);
the Commission must hold the conference before it makes a decision on the application.
(4) As soon as practicable after the Commission receives a request under subregulation (3) for a conference, the Commission must:
(a) invite the applicant and any person who has responded in writing to the Commission:
(i) to attend the conference; and
(ii) to make an oral or written submission at the conference on the views expressed by another person that are mentioned in subparagraph (b)(ii); and
(b) give to the applicant and any person who has responded in writing to the Commission:
(i) reasonable notice in writing of the time, date and place of the conference; and
(ii) a reasonable opportunity to express views that are relevant to the conference, either orally at, or by written submission before or during, the conference; and
(iii) a copy of each response to which paragraph (3)(b) refers, and of each written submission to which subparagraph (ii) refers, that is made by another person.
(5) If a person who is invited to attend a conference:
(a) informs the Commission that the person does not wish to attend the conference; or
(b) does not attend the conference;
the conference may proceed in the absence of the person.