Features of Legal Protection of Trademarks Including Names of Geographical Objects

The inclusion of geographical feature names in trademarks is a common practice due to the fact that manufacturers thereby seek to enhance the reputation of their brand in the market. However, the registration of such designations as trademarks has its own peculiarities related to the application of grounds for refusal stipulated in civil legislation. The relevance of the research topic is related to the growing popularity of regional brands caused by the policy of import substitution in the Russian Federation. The object of the study is the legal relations related to the legal protection of trademarks, including the names of geographical objects. The subject of the study is civil legislation regarding the legal protection of trademarks and law enforcement practice on this issue. The methodological basis of the research consists of general scientific research methods such as synthesis, analysis, comparison, as well as a special method of legal cognition – formal legal. As part of the study, it was found that when designations including names of geographical objects are registered as trademarks, the conformity of the designation with criteria such as the absence or presence of distinguishing ability, the ability of the designation to mislead the consumer about the place of production of goods, as well as similarity with the names of the places of origin of goods and geographical indications, taking into account the list submitted for registration products. As a result of the study, it can be concluded that the application of grounds for refusal in relation to designations that include names of geographical objects is probabilistic, which requires uniformity of law enforcement practice.

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