美国判例法——商业外观“显著性”的判断与证明

American case law: judgment and certification of trade dress distinctiveness

2000年美国联邦最高法院Wal-mart v.Samara案的判决结果宣告商业外观显著性判断与证明标准问题暂告一段落。十年以来,下级法院的司法实践不断检验、冲击着Wal-mart v.Samara案所确立的"商业外观应当区分商品包装和产品设计"、"产品设计天然不具有显著性"及"产品设计必须证明'第二含义'才可能获得法律保护"等规则的正确性和可适用性。在商标法及反不正当竞争法的立法模式下,无论国内外,如何有效保护商业外观仍是一道难解的题。时值我国相关规则阙如之际,美国判例法形成的司法经验、留下的众多问题值得我国法制实践所参考。

In 2000 the American Federal Supreme Court＇s judgement of Wal-mart v.Samara case marked the suspension of judgment and certification of trade dress distinctiveness.Since then,the judicial practice of the subordinate courts has constantly examined and challenged the correctness and suitability of the rules established by Wal-mart v.Samara case that trade dress should distinguish commodity package and product design,that the product design is not endowed with distinctiveness and that the product design must prove the second meaning before obtaining legal protection.Under the legislation pattern of trademark mark law and law against unfair competition,how to effectively protect the trade dress is a difficult topic both at home and aboard.The judicial experience and problems of American case judgement are worthy borrowing when our country lacks the relevant laws.