Geographical Terms, Trademark Protection Of at Law Glossary

What is it? Geographical terms are those that convey to consumers a geographical connotation primarily or immediately , where such consumers are likely to believe that the underlying goods or services in fact come from that location. Such terms fall into three categories (1) primarily geographically descriptive; (2) geographically deceptively misdescriptive; or (3) geographically deceptive. The first two are capable of protection if the owner can demonstrate they have acquired distinction through secondary meaning, while the latter of these, geographically deceptive marks are never capable of receiving protection. If the geographic mark is accurate, it is geographically descriptive. If not, then the mark is either geographically deceptively misdescriptive or geographically deceptive, depending on which test a court applies, and the facts of the situation. A minority of courts look at the intent of the mark owner, while most courts look at whether or not consumers are likely to materially rely upon the misdescription. Thus a mark will be geographically deceptive if either the owner intended to to deceive the public about the origin of the product, or if consumers are likely to rely upon the misdescription in making their purchasing decisions. Finally, after the U.S. implementation of TRIPs, the Lanham Act. 2(a) has been amended to include a prohibition against the registration of any geographical mark for wines or spirits not from the place indicated in the mark.

Legal Definition Added By: Logan

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