(a) (1) A person may register:
(i) a class of returnable containers if:
1. the person owns or deals in goods handled or delivered in a returnable container; and
2. the returnable container has an identifying name, mark, or device securely attached, impressed, or imprinted; or
(ii) a class of returnable textiles, if the person:
1. is in the business of regularly supplying clean laundered returnable textiles; and
2. periodically exchanges the clean returnable textiles for soiled returnable textiles.
(2) A person who has registered a returnable container or returnable textile under State law is not required to reregister the returnable container or returnable textile.
(b) To register a returnable container or returnable textile a person shall:
(1) (i) prepare a clear statement of the character of the returnable container or returnable textile; and
(ii) prepare a comprehensive description of the identifying name, mark, or device attached, impressed, imprinted, woven, or produced;
(2) sign and acknowledge the comprehensive description before an officer qualified to take an acknowledgment to deeds in the State;
(3) publish the signed and acknowledged comprehensive description:
(i) in two successive issues, in different weeks, of a newspaper published in the county in which the principal office, place of business, or agency of the person is located; or
(ii) twice a week for 2 successive weeks in a daily newspaper published in Baltimore City if the principal office, place of business, or agency of the person is located in Baltimore City; and
(4) file with the Secretary of State the comprehensive description and a certificate of publication, certified by the owner or manager of the newspaper in which the comprehensive description was published.
(c) A person may transfer a registration by filing a copy of the assignment or transfer with the Secretary of State.
(d) (1) The Secretary of State shall record each:
(i) comprehensive description filed under subsection (b) of this section;
(ii) certificate of publication filed under subsection (b) of this section; and
(iii) transfer filed under subsection (c) of this section.
(2) On application, the Secretary of State shall provide to the applicant a certified copy of a recorded filing.
(3) The Secretary of State shall establish reasonable fees:
(i) for recording under this section; and
(ii) for providing copies of records filed under this section.
(e) A certified copy of a comprehensive description and a certificate of publication or of a transfer with the seal of the Secretary of State attached is:
(1) evidence that the person complied with this subtitle; and
(2) prima facie evidence of:
(i) title to or right to use, collect, or deliver the corresponding returnable containers; and
(ii) title to the corresponding returnable textiles.
Structure Maryland Statutes