Other Avenues for the Protection of Distinctive Signs for Origin-Based Quality Products (OBQPs): The use of Trademark System and Other Legal Means

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Protection of Geographical Indications (GIs): the Lisbon System and Other Means of Protection Other Avenues for the Protection of Distinctive Signs

1 Protection of Geographical Indications (GIs): the Lisbon System and Other Means of Protection Other Avenues for the Protection of Distinctive Signs for Origin-Based Quality Products (OBQPs): Miguel Angel MEDINA ELZABURU PATENT OFFICE OF THE REPULIC OF BULGARIA WIPO Sofia, November 24 and 25, 2016

2 INDEX 1.- MEANS OF PROTECTION OF DISTINCTIVE SIGNS FOR OBQPs 2.- OTHER LEGAL MEANS 3.- TRADEMARK SYSTEM 4.- ADVANTAGES OF THE TRADEMARK SYSTEM 5.- DISADVANTAGES OF THE TRADEMARK SYSTEM 6.- CONCLUSIONS 2

3 1- MEANS OF PROTECTION OF DISTINCTIVE SIGNS FOR OBQPs (I) Sui Generis GI legislation Trademark System Other Legal Means 3

4 2- OTHER LEGAL MEANS Unfair competition Consumer protection Product liability Others 4

5 3.- TRADEMARK SYSTEM (I) Individual Trademarks Collective Trademarks Certification/Guarantee marks 5

6 3.- TRADEMARK SYSTEM (II) COLLECTIVE/CERTIFICATION MARKS similarities with GIs Used by a plurality of different undertakings, Regulations governing their use All those who comply with the regulations are entitled to use Descriptive marks regarding the geographical origin accepted 6

7 3.- TRADEMARK SYSTEM (III) Which is more appropriate a Collective mark or a Certification mark? IT DEPENDS BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO, ROQUEFORT, LIEBFRAUMILCH, MOSEL, DARJEELING, JAMAICA BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE,, TURRON DE ALICANTE, TEQUILA, BAYERISCHES BIER, DRESDNER CHRISTSTOLLEN 7

8 4.- ADVANTAGES of MARKS as a distinctive sign for OBQPs (I) Trademark Systems are generally well known and exist in all countries OBQPs can be protected for any kind of product or service Registration is available are not just for mere names (but all kind of signs : i.e., designs, slogans, designs, shapes, colours, smells, sounds) 8

9 4.- ADVANTAGES of MARKS as a distinctive sign for OBQPs (II) TRADEMARKS AND GIs 9

10 4.- ADVANTAGES of MARKS as a distinctive sign for OBQPs (III) Stronger protection against domain names Faster registration: starting point for a GI registration strategy Easy internationalization through a well-accepted system (Madrid System) 1 0

11 5.- DISADVANTAGES of MARKS as a distinctive sign for OBQPs (I) Trademarks can become generic Limited duration: 10 years renewable (watch service for renewal) They can lapse or be cancelled based on lack of use Stronger public action (ex officio) in GIs systems Lack of homogeneity at international level on the existence and requirements of collective and certification/guarantee marks: Uncertainty 11

12 5.- DISADVANTAGES of MARKS as a distinctive sign for OBQPs (II) SCOPE OF PROTECTION: Evocation * ROQUEFORT (PDO) v RONCARIFORT (TM) * JAMÓN DE HUELVA(PDO) v Origin Jabugo, S.L. (Company name) * CAFÉ NARIÑO (design) v CAFÉ DE COLOMBIA (PGI) * CUVÉE PALOMAR v VINO DE VALENCIA (PDO) Objective protection (prohibition to register trademarks for wines or for spirits which contain or consist of a GI identifying wine or spirits, with respect to such wines or spirits not having this origin, art TRIPs) Protection against use/registration of the geographical term by third parties (business origin v geographical origin) 12

13 6.- CONCLUSIONS Good (second best) Strongly recommended as supplementary protection International harmonization of certification marks/collective marks desirable 13

Miguel Angel MEDINA Lawyer Associate Partner ELZABURU

es Calle Miguel Ángel, 21 28010, MADRID, SPAIN Tel:

14 Miguel Angel MEDINA Lawyer Associate Partner ELZABURU Calle Miguel Ángel, , MADRID, SPAIN Tel: Fax: BARCELONA, SPAIN Tel: Muelle de Poniente s/n Antigua Casa del Mar 03001, ALICANTE, SPAIN Calle Roger de Lauria19, 5º 46002, VALENCIA, SPAIN Office 1203,Jing Guang Centre Business Building, Hu Jia Lou, Chao Yang District, BEIJING, , CHINA Leopoldstraße 23, 5th floor MUNICH, GERMANY Tel munich@elzaburu.es

THE PROTECTION OF GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS (GIs) IN AFRICA

THE PROTECTION OF GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS (GIs) IN AFRICA INFORMATION SEMINAR ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EU-ESA INTERIM EPA INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL, BALACLAVA, MAURITIUS, 14 TO 15 MARCH 2012 Introduction