MPI STUDY - POTENTIAL CHANGES TO EUROPEAN TRADE MARK

PRACTICEAPRAM 6 March 2012

Patrick Boyle

2

TM Directive 89/104 21 December 1988

Harmonisation incomplete

CTMR 40/94 20 December 1993

(Codified in 2009 CTMR 207/2009)

Imbalance/Incoherence between

two systems

3

POSSIBLE CHANGES

What may change ?

• examination

• opposition/invalidity

• non use: cluttering

• infringement/limitations

• interaction between systems

Feasibility and effects of such changes ?

4

EXAMINATION

graphic representation

acquired distinctiveness for shape/colour marks

harmonised classification practice

inter Office/OHIM coordination

extra class fee

5

OPPOSITION/INVALIDITY

protection of well-known marks against dissimilar goods/services

scope of protection (class headings) IP TRANSLATOR

clearer distinction between strong and weak marks

« neutralisation » rule should be abandoned

higher degree of attentiveness for pharmaceuticals should not be presumed

6

NON USE : CLUTTERING

use of registered mark may constitute use of registered variation

use in one country sufficient ? (ONEL)

BUT forced coexistence….

extra class fee

calculation of grace period for partially protected Madrid designations…

7

INFRINGEMENT/LIMITATIONS

from what date? acquired distinctiveness not filing date…

harmonise categories of infringing use (for ex. use of a trade name)

descriptive use should extend to non distinctive use

honest referential use (commentary, criticism, parody…)

transit goods

restriction of CTM rights where not used…

8

INTERACTION BETWEEN SYSTEMS

seniority: no longer necessary to abandon national rights

conversion: enforeceability of converted CTM ?

enhanced cooperation

9

QUESTIONS ?