关于地理标志中的淡化理论研究

On the Theory of Geographical Indications Dilution

淡化理论是基于混淆理论不能对驰名商标提供完善的保护而产生的,其保护范围能否适用于地理标志尚有争议。由于地理标志和驰名商标具有类似的表彰功能,而从实践角度看,传统的混淆理论无法对地理标志进行完善的保护,淡化理论扩张至地理标志,已是必然的趋势。国外立法已经适用淡化理论对地理标志进行保护,而我国《商标法》仍然在适用混淆理论。

Dilution theory is based on the fact that confusion theory cannot provide perfect protection for the well-known trademark, whether its scope of protection will apply to the geographical indications is controversial. Because the geographical mark and well-known trademark have similar recognition function, the traditional theory of confusion is not able to perfect geographical indication protection from a practical point of view. The theory of dilution＇s expansion to geographic indications is an inevitable trend. While the theory of dilution has been applied to the foreign legislation of geographical indication protection, the theory of confusion is still applicable in our eountry＇s ＂Trademark Law＂.