地理标志正当使用的重释

Reinterpretation of the Proper Use of Geographical Indications

实务认为《商标法实施条例》第4条第2款“正当使用地理标志”是指使用地理标志地名的说明产地,并衍生出产地规范使用和产地宽松使用两种观点。然而,当地名和特定产品相联系时,特定产品上使用特定地名就必然暗含对地理标志商业声誉的利用。因此,“正当使用地理标志”实际是立法者利益衡量后对地理标志商标权所作的权利限缩,而非《商标法》第59条重述。在符合地理标志使用条件时,生产者可以通过在产品上使用地理标志的“地名和商品名称”,合法利用地理标志的品质声誉,地理标志行业协会应当尊重生产者的合理使用行为。

In practice,it is considered that the"legitimate use of geographical indications"stated at Article 4.2 of the Implementing Rules of the Trademark Law is actually referred to as legally using geographical indications to describe the product origin,from which two concepts are derived:normative use and free use of geographical indications.However,when a region name is connected with a particular product,the using of the name is in effect employing the commercial reputation of the geographical indications of such place.Therefore,the"legitimate use of geographical indications"is actually a restriction on the trademark right of geographical indications made after a comprehensive measurement of benefits and interests,rather than a restatement of Article 59 of the Trademark Law.That is,when meeting the conditions for the use of geographical indications,producers have the right to take advantage of the reputation of geographical indications by using the place names and trade names concerned on their product,and geographical indication associations ought to respect the legal use of such producers.