驳商标被动使用保护论

Rethink and Criticize about the Protection Theory of Passive Use of Prior Trademarks: Research on the Basis of Article 31 in Trademark Law

为应对商标俗称抢注案以维持商标权保护的实质正义,理论界启动了所谓的在先商标"被动使用保护论"。但该理论存在诸多法理上难以逾越之障碍,其既不符合商标权取得自然正当的前提条件,也违背了商标权的私权属性和商标的契约本质,同时还与商标法上能成就商标权的"使用"界定不相吻合。因此,在先商标"被动使用保护论"不足可取。针对商标俗称被抢注,并非舍"被动使用保护论"不可,现行《商标法》有足够的制度资源为之提供救济,如"在先注册商标保护模式"、"驰名商标保护路径"、"绝对禁止作为商标的保护途径"、"在先企业名称权保护方法"和"反不正当竞争保护手段"等都可以为此类案件提供解决之道。任何一种理论的创新都应强调其法理可行性和现实必要性,否则,一旦有了该理论且人们对该理论形成使用上的路径依赖时,却又发现该理论自身携带严重的病理基因,人们将变得动弹不得。所以,从法理上对所谓的在先商标"被动使用保护论"重新展开一番检思和质评殊为必要。

Given the urgency of echoing to the rush-registration cases of trademark＇s popular name to maintain substantive justice, academic circles put forward so-called ＂the protection theory of passive use of prior trademarks＂. However, there are so many judicial obstacles to this theory, which not only come short of the precondition of natural justice of obtaining trademark rights, but also go against the private right characteristic of trademark rights and contract essence of trademark, as well as not conforming to the definition of ＂trademark use＂ in trademark law. As a result, it＇s not sensible to accept ＂the protection theory of passive use of prior trademarks＂. There are so many alternatives that can provide sufficient remedy for us under the Trademark Law, including the ways of protection of prior registered trademark, the protection of well-known trademark, the articles to prohibit use as a trademark, the protection of prior enterprise name rights, Anti-unfair Competition protection ,and so on. Thence, it＇s absolutely necessary to rethink and criticize ＂the protection theory of passive use of prior trademarks＂.