我国系列商标认定的问题与解决路径

Problems and Solutions of Series of Trademarks Recognition in China

由于缺少系列商标认定规则,数个具有共同要素的引证商标在我国众多裁决中被直接视为系列商标,导致争议商标一旦包含相同的构成要素就被宣告无效。系列商标一经认定,数个商标之间就共享了知名度,构成混淆的可能性更高,因此认定系列商标需要非常谨慎。只有相关消费者能将商标中的共同要素与特定主体联系起来,相关商标才能被认定为系列商标。为解决系列商标认定问题,在适用商标法第三十条时,需将混淆可能性纳入判定要件当中,在具体场景下综合共同要素的显著性、商标知名度以及相关的辅助因素认定系列商标。如果不符合系列商标的要求,必须以单个商标为基础考察争议商标是否构成混淆。

Due to the lack of rules for the identification of series of trade marks,several cited trademarks with common element are directly regarded as series of trademarks in many judgments,resulting in the invalidation of the disputed trademark once it includes the same common element as the cited trademarks.Once a series of trade marks is identifi ed,several trademarks share public awareness,and the likelihood of confusion becomes higher.Therefore,the identification of series of trademarks needs to be very cautious.Only if the relevant consumers can associate the common element in the trademarks with a specific trademark owner,the related trademarks can be recognized as series of trade marks.In order to solve the problems of recognition of series of trade marks,when applying Article 30 of Trademark Law,it is necessary to consider the likelihood of confusion element,and to recognize series of trade marks based on the distinctiveness of common element,the public recogonition of trademarks and related auxiliary factors in specific scenarios.If the requirements for a series of trade marks are not met,the disputed trademark must be compared with the cited trademarks one by one to determine whether it constitutes confusion.