地理標示保護之商標法與公平交易法的交錯

The Interface between Trademark Law and Competition Law on the Protection of Geographic Indications

現行商標法有關「產地證明標章」及「產地團體商標」之規範，不僅已經超越TRIPs關於地理標示消極保護之要求，而進一步賦予其積極保護手段，企求得能更為周延保護地理標示利害關係人之權益。惟此種積極保護制度的創設，卻也引發商標法與公平交易法有關地理標示規範之交錯與競合問題。本文嘗試從現行商標法及公平交易法相關規定，檢討我國法對於地理標示保護之可能性及界限，特別集中於對著名地理標示以一般著名商標（標章）規範保護時，可能衍生之問題及弊端，最後並主張在我國現行法就地理標示規範，主要係為確保地理標示的真實性、避免消費者混淆誤認以維護公平競爭的認知下，有關地理標示保護不應過度擴張，以免阻礙對地理標示之適當、合理使用行為，進而損及我國經濟整體利益。

The incumbent regulations of geographical certification mark and geographical collective trademark under the Trademark Act not only exceeded TRIPs requirements about geographic indications, but also provide a positive protection approach. In this way, we aim to safeguard stakeholders rights more comprehensively. However, this positive protection practice will also cause application ambiguity between the Trademark Act and the Fair Trade Act. This article attempts to analyze the possibility and limitation of current geographic indications regulations from Trademark Act and Fair Trade Act, especially the possible problems resulted from regulating geographic indications as famous marks. Last but the least, this article proposed that considering the purpose of current geographic indications regulations is mainly about ensuring the authenticity and fair competition, we should avoid overprotection. It not so, we will impede the reasonable utilization of geographic indications and then cause detriment to Taiwans economic interests.