| Abstract: | Legal context: Geographical references in trade marks are often used not onlyto refer to a certain territory of origin for certain goodsor services, but also to evoke desirable associations, imaginations,emotions, or ideas. The strict practice of the Swiss Trade MarksOffice often requires applicants to limit their list of goodsand services to certain countries. Key points: This abstract discusses the issues of geographically suggestivetrade marks in Switzerland, the strict test used by the SwissTrade Marks Office often requiring the applicant to limit thelist of goods to a specific country, the new stance the formerAppeals Board took in this regard, and how it was struck downby the Swiss Supreme Court, confirming the strict test of theTrade Marks Office. Finally, the article gives a solution onhow the issue of geographical references in trade marks shouldbe treated in order to match reality. Practical significance: It is important to know that the Swiss Trade Marks Office appliesa strict test when it comes to geographical references in trademarks. Usually, the applicant is required to limit the listof goods, although it is questionable whether the trade markreally suggests that the goods stem from a certain country.Foreign decisions are not binding for the Swiss Trade MarksOffice and in this regard usually disregarded. |
