GIs and the Community trade mark system the practice of the OHIM (ECTA round table on Geographical Indications and the Community Trade Mark System)

Transcription

1 GIs and the Community trade mark system the practice of the OHIM (ECTA round table on Geographical Indications and the Community Trade Mark System) Óscar Mondéjar Legal Practice Service/ICLAD 16 February 2012

2 Objective Focus on: Current practice of the Office (+ references to issues under revision/discussion)

3 Scope CTMs which consist of or contain PGIs-PDOs / Geographical terms

4 Law - CTMR; - International agreements; - Connected EU Regulations (*)

5 Law: CTMR CTMR Relevant provisions * 7(1)(j)/(k) * 7(1)(c) [+ 7(3)] * 7(1)(g) * 66 * 164

6 Examination practice: searches Search into PGIs/PDOs database: Manual.en.do Contains a list of GIs of wines, spirits, agricultural products and foodstuffs protected under EU Regulations and bilateral treaties

7 Examination practice: searches

8 Examination practice: ground for refusal 7(1)(c) 7(1)(j)/(k) Consists of PGI/PDO Contains PGI/PDO Consists of G.N. Contains G.N.

9 Examination practice: GNs Geographical names: a) CTM contains a G.N.: - 7(1)(c): acceptable if other elements are distinctive; - 7(1)(j)/(k): not applicable; restriction of G&S is irrelevant

10 Examination practice: GNs Geographical names: CTM b) CTM consists of a G.N. JAVA COAST - 7(1)(c): standard descriptiveness test [unless collective CTM]; - Restriction of G&S irrelevant; - Possible application of 7(3) Class 30: coffee R 0013/2000-1

11 Examination practice: PGIs/PDOs Protected geographical indications: a) CTM contains a PGI/PDO: - 7(1)(c): descriptive as of law; acceptable if other elements are distinctive; - 7(1)(j)/(k): restriction of G&S to be requested

12 Examination practice: PGIs/PDOs CTM Class 33: Wines with the protected geographical indication Somontano D.O.

13 Examination practice: PGIs/PDOs Protected geographical indications: b) CTM consists of a PGI/PDO - Simultaneous objection under 7(1)(c) [descriptive as of law; unless collective] and 7(1)(j)/(k) - 7(1)(c): to be eventually waived under 7(3) - 7(1)(j)/(k): restriction of G&S to be requested - CTM Nº TEQUILA (R 1073/2005-1) Class 33: Tequila y productos basados en tequila, bebidas preparadas con tequila

14 Examination practice: objections under 7(1(j)/(k) Scope of objections under 7(1(j)/(k) : Only in respect of the goods protected by the PGI/PDO (*) E.g.: PGI Alicante : wines PGI Ginjinha portuguesa : liqueurs (*) Issue under discussion/revision

15 Examination practice: objections under 7(1(j)/(k) Scope of objections under 7(1(j)/(k) : Only when the CTM consists of or contains the PGI/PDO or a significant element thereof (*): E.g. PGI Serres > CTM CARLOS SERRES PGI Ribeira Sacra > CTM SACRA NATURA (*) Issue under discussion/revision

16 Examination practice: objections under 7(1(j)/(k) Scope of objections under 7(1(j)/(k) : Only PGIs/PDOs in the database, not sub-regions and other places which are included in the PGI according to national law, nor translations(*) (*) Issue under discussion/revision (ex Cuvée Palomar)

17 Examination practice: restrictions Wording of restrictions of G&S under 7(1)(j): [Limitation option 1] This ground of refusal may be overcome by limiting the above mentioned goods in class 33 as follows: [wines][spirits] with the protected geographical indication [specify P.G.I]. [Limitation option 2 - if the list contains the heading of class 33:] This ground of refusal may be overcome by limiting the above mentioned goods in class 33 as follows: [wines][spirits] with the protected geographical indication [specify P.G.I]; alcoholic beverages (except beers) other than [wines][spirits].

18 Examination practice: 7(1)(g) Assessment of deceptiveness: - Not applied systematically; - CTM acceptable if non-deceptive use of the sign is possible; - Location of the applicant irrelevant

19 Examination practice: collective CTMs Collective CTMs - Same principles as for individual CTMs; - Exception: 7(1)(c) for CCTMs which consist of a GI (specific clause in regulations of use); - Role of CCTMs in relative grounds under discussion

20 Information: (+ 34) (switchboard) (+ 34) (e-business technical incidents) (+ 34) (main fax) twitter/oamitweets youtube/oamitubes

21 THANK YOU.