描述知识的困境与规范路径——以新型商标为模型

The Dilemma and Normative Path to Claiming Intellectual Property:A Non-Traditional Trademark Model

知识作为原型范畴无法被精准地界定。对知识产权对象的描述为趋近于精确,经历了在中心定义/周边定义和特征描述/典型实例两个维度不同选项之上的演进与变迁。传统的文字与图形商标采中心定义加典型实例的描述路径,而不能以原本构成符号来展现的新型商标,借助文字说明,采特征描述的路径。然而实践中,文字说明与图示的关系不清,文字说明是否采取周边定义存有争议,模糊的文字说明的法律后果不明。规范化的描述制度能完善权利公示、限制权利扩张以及维护市场秩序。破解新型商标描述困局的规范性对策有:第一,扩大文字说明的适用范围,明确图示解释效力优先于文字说明,但文字说明限定商标范围;第二,借助文字说明,对新型商标采取周边定义方式;第三,对文字说明模糊的商标拒绝注册,但在司法审判中亦可重新界定权利范围予以保护。

Knowledge as a prototype category cannot be defined precisely.The description of intellectual property objects tends to be accurate,and has undergone evolution and changes on different options in the two dimensions of central/peripheral claiming and illustration of character and exemplar.Traditional text and graphic trademark adopts central claiming by exemplar,while non-traditional trademark that cannot be represented by the original symbol,adopts the illustration of character.But in practice,the character description path causes the unclear relationship between verbal description and graphic representation,the dispute on the feasibility of adopting peripheral claiming for verbal description,and uncertain legal consequences of vague verbal description.Claiming system could optimize the publication of right,restrict the expansion of right,and maintain market order.Three measures should be paid attention to in order to solve the new trademark description dilemma,firstly,expand the use of verbal description,and make it clear that the scope of trademark should be defined by graphic representation,but verbal description could narrow down the scope;secondly,adopt peripheral claiming in defining non-traditional trademark;thirdly,reject the registration of trademark with vague verbal description,while allowing judicial redefinition of the scope of right.