商标淡化理论思考

Thoughts on the Theory of Trademark Weakening

商标淡化指商标的显著性特征以及商标的内在价值因他人无正当理由的使用而遭到削弱或降低的现象,有弱化、恶化、退化三种表现形式。虽然存在着传统的商标混淆理论与现代的商标淡化理论的争议,但前者对于不会引起混淆的擅用商标不当获利的“搭便车”现象显然无能为力,无法取代后者。从驰名商标到著名商标,再到声誉商标;从非竞争性的商品与服务到竞争性的商品与服务;从淡化与混淆的分离到二者的有效结合;美、法、欧共体、WTO都有自己独特的实践。切合我国国情,商标反淡化对象应确定为驰名商标;范围只考虑非竞争性的商品与服务;增加商标被淡化为通用名称的救济措施;规定商标的合理使用权。

There has always been controversy over the traditional trademark confusion theory and the modern trademark weakening theory.Over the past two years,many breakthroughs were achieved in the theory and practice of trademark legislation in our country.But the explicit rules about trademark weakening have not been prescribed today.Therefore,in this paper the meaning and value of the trademark weakening theory are discussed,the legislation practice of trademark anti-weakening in other countries is analysed,and some proposals to improve our country's trademark anti-weakening system are put forward.