http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/about_trademarks.html#function
翻译了半天，发现原来是商标的介绍，不过也费了好多心血，给个积分吧
关于商标
商标用来做什么？
商标为它的所有者提供保护，保证用它提供服务或商品的专有权，或者授权其他人使用并以提供报酬为代价。保护期限不同，但是关于额外的费用，商标可以超过时限的随时更新。商标的保护必须由法院作出，法院在最大的限度上有权阻止商标被侵害。
从更大的意义上来讲，通过授予所有者商标来从世界的范围内鼓励原创性和进取心，同时提供认可和商业的利益。商标保护也有力的打击了不公平竞争者，例如假冒者使用区别不明显的标记提供劣等或者不同商品或者服务。这个系统使那些有技术和进取心的人们可以在尽可能广阔的空间生产和经营商品或者服务，从而推动世界贸易的发展。
什么种类的商标可以登记注册？
这种可能性几乎是没有限制的。商标可以是一个单词、字母、数字，也可以是他们的组合。他们可以包括图像、符号、三维标志如商品的形状和包装、可听标志如音乐和口语、气味、作为特征的颜色。
商标除了可以标记商品或服务的产地外，还有其他几类商标存在。集体商标由一个组织所有，组织的成员可以使用商标证明自己的商品具备一定水平的品质或其他必要的特征，这个水平由该组织指定。这种组织的例子可以代表会计师、工程师或者建筑师等。证明商标符合已定义的标准，但不局限于组织的成员。他们可以被授予给任何能够证明相关的产品满足某个已建立的标准的人。国际上认可的ISO 9000质量标准就是一个被广泛认可的标准的例子。
怎样注册一个商标？
首先，向相关的国家或地区的商标局递交商标注册申请书。申请书必须包含一个申请注册标志的复印件，包括颜色、形状或者三维特征。申请书也必须包含一张该标志将要提供商品或服务的清单。这个标志必须满足一定的条件，以便作为一个商标或者其他类型的标志被保护。它必须是有特点的，这样消费者可以将它作为一个特定的商品区别出来，就像其他的商标识别其他商品一样。它不能误导、不能欺骗消费者，也不能违背公共道德和秩序。
最后，所申请的权利不能与已经授权的其他商标所有者相同或者相似。这将由国家知识产权局搜索和审、或者要求相同或相似权利的第三对立方决定。
About Trademarks
What does a trademark do?
A trademark provides protection to the owner of the mark by ensuring the exclusive right to use it to identify goods or services, or to authorize another to use it in return for payment. The period of protection varies, but a trademark can be renewed indefinitely beyond the time limit on payment of additional fees. Trademark protection is enforced by the courts, which in most systems have the authority to block trademark infringement.
In a larger sense, trademarks promote initiative and enterprise worldwide by rewarding the owners of trademarks with recognition and financial profit. Trademark protection also hinders the efforts of unfair competitors, such as counterfeiters, to use similar distinctive signs to market inferior or different products or services. The system enables people with skill and enterprise to produce and market goods and services in the fairest possible conditions, thereby facilitating international trade.
What kinds of trademarks can be registered?
The possibilities are almost limitless. Trademarks may be one or a combination of words, letters, and numerals. They may consist of drawings, symbols, three- dimensional signs such as the shape and packaging of goods, audible signs such as music or vocal sounds, fragrances, or colors used as distinguishing features.
In addition to trademarks identifying the commercial source of goods or services, several other categories of marks exist. Collective marks are owned by an association whose members use them to identify themselves with a level of quality and other requirements set by the association. Examples of such associations would be those representing accountants, engineers, or architects. Certification marks are given for compliance with defined standards, but are not confined to any membership. They may be granted to anyone who can certify that the products involved meet certain established standards. The internationally accepted \"ISO 9000\" quality standards are an example of such widely-recognized certifications.
How is a trademark registered?
First, an application for registration of a trademark must be filed with the appropriate national or regional trademark office. The application must contain a clear reproduction of the sign filed for registration, including any colors, forms, or three-dimensional features. The application must also contain a list of goods or services to which the sign would apply. The sign must fulfill certain conditions in order to be protected as a trademark or other type of mark. It must be distinctive, so that consumers can distinguish it as identifying a particular product, as well as from other trademarks identifying other products. It must neither mislead nor deceive customers or violate public order or morality.
Finally, the rights applied for cannot be the same as, or similar to, rights already granted to another trademark owner. This may be determined through search and examination by the national office, or by the opposition of third parties who claim similar or identical rights. |
