商标“显著特征”之内涵重释

Reinterpreting the Connotation of the “Distinctive Character” of Trademark

商标法中的“显著特征”往往被等同于“显著性”或“来源识别性”,然而其究竟指向影响来源识别性的商标外观要素,还是指向来源识别性的整体,抑或指向与指定使用的商品或服务之间的区分,仍然存在模糊之处。问题的根源在于《巴黎公约》和TRIPS协定代表的不同立法模式对我国商标法发展进程的先后影响,以及来源识别性的正面定义方法和反向推断规则之间的混同。解决之道在于明确来源识别性的构成要素,补全反向推断规则。商标的外观要素也是来源识别性的必要组成部分之一,但在不同法域中体现为各异的形态。基于我国的立法传统及实践经验、商标的三元符号结构以及相邻学科的理论借鉴,可以把“显著特征”重释为“商标在符号外观上的、足以影响来源识别的区分性”。

The “distinctive character” mentioned in Chinese Trademark Law is often equated with “distinctiveness” or “the capability to distinguish the source”. However, it is still unclear whether it refers to the appearance element of a trademark, the overall capability to distinguish the source, or the distinction from the designated goods. The root of the problem lies in the influences of the different legislative models represented by the Paris Convention and the TRIPS Agreement on the development of the Chinese trademark law legislative process, as well as the confusion between the positive definition method and the reverse inference rule of source identification. The solution lies in the clarification of the components of the capability to distinguish the source and completing the rules of reverse inference. The appearance element of a trademark is also one of the necessary constituent elements of the capability to distinguish the source, but it is presented in different forms in different jurisdictions. Based on Chinese legislative tradition and practical experience, the ternary symbol structure of trademarks, and the theoretical reference of adjacent disciplines, “distinctive character” can be reinterpreted as “the distinctive appearance of trademark symbols that is sufficient to affect the identification of sources”.