日本产地表示的商标法制度

The Trademark System of the Origin Said in Japan

有关商品或服务来源的产地表示,日本与国际条约保持一致,在各类法律中使用不同的名称和规定,在商标法中采用"产地表示"这一术语。日本商标法对产地表示作为商标注册主要作了限制性规定,即产地仅用一般使用的方法表示、著名的地理名称、容易使消费者产生误解的地名等不能注册。例外的情况有,产地表示由于使用而获得显著性区别的、作为地域团体商标的,可以注册并取得保护。

The origin said of manufactured goods or services in Japan is in consistence with the international treaties.Even though different names and regulations are used in different kinds of law,the names of the ＂origin said＂ are adopted in the Trademark Law in Japan.The origin said as a trade mark is restricted,that is,the origin said should be described in the general way.Well-known geographical names or the names that may mislead the customers cannot be registered as the trade marks.The only exception is that when the use of the origin said can make clear distinction.In this way,it can be registered and protected as the trade mark for regional producers.