{"id":3958,"date":"2020-07-23T11:38:50","date_gmt":"2020-07-23T10:38:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/depot-de-marque.com\/?p=3958"},"modified":"2023-09-27T10:42:21","modified_gmt":"2023-09-27T09:42:21","slug":"using-a-registered-trademark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/depot-de-marque.com\/en\/utiliser-une-marque-deposee\/","title":{"rendered":"Can we use a trademark that is already registered?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Can we use a trademark that is already registered?<\/h1>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Counterfeiting is defined as the reproduction, imitation or use of an intellectual property right without the authorization of its owner. Thus, the fact of using a trademark registered by a third party, makes you potentially guilty of counterfeiting.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Infringement by reproduction: using an identical trademark<\/h2>\n

By reproducing a third party's trademark without his authorization, one risks being attacked for infringement by the third party. However, in principle, the trademark must have been used for goods or services identical (or very similar) to those referred to in the registration certificate. Thus, if the disputed trademark designates only clothing and you use it to sell drinks, there is no likelihood of confusion. Conversely, if you use it on T-shirts or caps (even promotional ones), it is an infringement by reproduction and you could be sued.<\/p>\n

Some hope to get around this problem by making slight changes to the brand. There is also a myth that 5 or 7 elements of differentiation between two signs\/logos would be necessary to rule out infringement. This idea is totally wrong. Indeed, mere imitation of the mark may also constitute an infringement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Counterfeiting by imitation: using a modified trademark<\/h2>\n

Article L. 713-3 of the Intellectual Property Code<\/a> allows a trademark owner to take action for infringement even if his trademark has not been reproduced identically. The idea is to punish the ploy to avoid reproducing a registered trademark in favour of a very similar sign. For example, in the 1920s, a court convicted merchants who used the name \"Aux Galeries Layettes\" (for imitation of the trademark \"Aux Galeries Lafayette\").<\/p>\n

In this case, the trademark owner must prove that there is a likelihood of confusion (or at least a likelihood of association) in the mind of the average attention consumer. In particular, the judges will compare the two signs in order to assess the visual, phonetic and\/or intellectual similarities. A famous example of counterfeiting by intellectual imitation is the case of \"The Serious Cow\". The trademark was a fraudulent imitation of \"The Laughing Cow\".<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Illegal use of a trademark<\/h2>\n

In some cases, the use of a third party's trademark may constitute an act of infringement. This is particularly the case in advertising. Thus, the practice of appellate trademarks is punishable. In this case, a salesman puts forward a trademark in an advertisement to attract new customers. But he does not have sufficient stock of the products of the trademark used to meet the potential demand. The idea is to use a trademark to divert customers.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, a use \"outside business life\" cannot be condemned a priori. For example, journalists may cite a registered trademark for information purposes. The same is true, it is possible, under certain conditions, to parody a registered trademark<\/a>. But of course, the parodist must not be a competitor, and his objective must be legitimate (he must not profit from the caricature).<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Conclusion: good faith and counterfeiting<\/h2>\n

Finally, it is important to note that in the civil courts, the good or bad faith of the infringer is irrelevant. Ignorance of the existence of a registered trademark cannot be invoked as a defence.<\/p>\n

Therefore, in order to avoid using (and counterfeiting) an earlier trademark, particularly when launching a business and\/or new products, it is essential to check the availability of the new name. This involves conducting similarity searches among the earlier marks.<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Similarly, if you receive a letter of formal notice from a competitor and\/or its lawyer, do not ignore it. This is often a first step before a legal action. The merits of the request should be considered before responding. And it is preferable not to use the disputed trademark during the proceedings. So as not to make any false moves, get expert advice<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Peut-on utiliser une marque d\u00e9j\u00e0 d\u00e9pos\u00e9e ? \u00a0 La contrefa\u00e7on se d\u00e9finit comme la reproduction, l\u2019imitation ou l\u2019utilisation d\u2019un droit de propri\u00e9t\u00e9 intellectuelle sans l\u2019autorisation de son propri\u00e9taire. Ainsi, le fait d’utiliser une marque d\u00e9pos\u00e9e par un tiers, vous rend potentiellement coupable de contrefa\u00e7on. \u00a0 Contrefa\u00e7on par reproduction : utiliser une marque identique En reproduisant […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4666,"featured_media":3959,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","tve_updated_post":"

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<h1>Peut-on utiliser une marque d\u00e9j\u00e0 d\u00e9pos\u00e9e ?<\/h1><p> <\/p><p>La contrefa\u00e7on se d\u00e9finit comme la reproduction, l\u2019imitation ou l\u2019utilisation d\u2019un droit de propri\u00e9t\u00e9 intellectuelle sans l\u2019autorisation de son propri\u00e9taire. Ainsi, le fait d'utiliser une marque d\u00e9pos\u00e9e par un tiers, vous rend potentiellement coupable de contrefa\u00e7on.<\/p><p> <\/p><h2>Contrefa\u00e7on par reproduction : utiliser une marque identique<\/h2><p>En reproduisant la marque d\u2019un tiers sans son autorisation, l\u2019on risque d\u2019\u00eatre attaqu\u00e9 en contrefa\u00e7on par celui-ci. Mais en principe, il faut que la marque ait \u00e9t\u00e9 utilis\u00e9e pour des produits ou services identiques (ou tr\u00e8s proches) de ceux vis\u00e9s dans le certificat d\u2019enregistrement. Ainsi, si la marque litigieuse d\u00e9signe uniquement les v\u00eatements et que vous l\u2019utilisez pour vendre des boissons, il n\u2019y a pas de risque de confusion. A l\u2019inverse, si vous l\u2019utilisez sur des tee-shirts ou des casquettes (m\u00eames promotionnels), il s\u2019agit d\u2019une contrefa\u00e7on par reproduction et vous pourriez \u00eatre attaqu\u00e9 en justice.<\/p><p>Certains esp\u00e8rent contourner ce probl\u00e8me en apportant de l\u00e9gers changements \u00e0 la marque. Il existe d\u2019ailleurs un mythe selon lequel 5 ou 7 \u00e9l\u00e9ments de diff\u00e9renciation entre deux signes \/ logos seraient n\u00e9cessaires pour \u00e9carter la qualification de contrefa\u00e7on. Cette id\u00e9e est totalement erron\u00e9e. En effet, <a href=\"http:\/\/depot-de-marque.com\/actualite-pi\/3-affaires-contrefacon\/\">la simple imitation de la marque peut \u00e9galement constituer une contrefa\u00e7on<\/a>.<\/p><p> <\/p><h2>Contrefa\u00e7on par imitation : utiliser une marque modifi\u00e9e<\/h2><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legifrance.gouv.fr\/affichCodeArticle.do?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006069414&amp;idArticle=LEGIARTI000006279710\">L\u2019article L. 713-3 du Code de la propri\u00e9t\u00e9 intellectuelle<\/a> permet \u00e0 un titulaire de marque d\u2019agir en contrefa\u00e7on m\u00eame si sa marque n\u2019a pas \u00e9t\u00e9 reproduite \u00e0 l\u2019identique. L\u2019id\u00e9e est de sanctionner le stratag\u00e8me consistant \u00e0 \u00e9viter de reproduire une marque d\u00e9pos\u00e9e, au profit d\u2019un signe tr\u00e8s ressemblant. Par exemple, dans les ann\u00e9es 1920, un tribunal a condamn\u00e9 des commer\u00e7ants qui utilisaient la d\u00e9nomination \u00ab Aux Galeries Layettes \u00bb (pour imitation de la marque \u00ab Aux Galeries Lafayette \u00bb).<\/p><p>Dans ce cas, le titulaire de la marque doit prouver qu\u2019il existe un risque de confusion (ou du moins un risque d\u2019association) dans l\u2019esprit du consommateur d\u2019attention moyenne. Les juges vont notamment proc\u00e9der \u00e0 une comparaison des deux signes pour appr\u00e9cier les ressemblances visuelles, phon\u00e9tiques et\/ou intellectuelles. Un exemple c\u00e9l\u00e8bre de contrefa\u00e7on par imitation intellectuelle est l\u2019affaire de \u00ab La vache s\u00e9rieuse \u00bb. La marque constituait une imitation frauduleuse de \u00ab La vache qui rit \u00bb.<\/p><p> <\/p><h2>Utiliser une marque de mani\u00e8re illicite<\/h2><p>Dans certains cas, l\u2019usage de la marque d\u2019un tiers peut constituer un acte de contrefa\u00e7on. C\u2019est notamment le cas en mati\u00e8re publicitaire. Ainsi, la pratique des marques d\u2019appel est condamnable. Dans ce cas, un vendeur met en avant une marque d\u00e9pos\u00e9e dans une publicit\u00e9 pour attirer de nouveaux clients. Mais il n'a pas suffisamment de stock des produits de la marque utilis\u00e9e pour r\u00e9pondre \u00e0 la demande potentielle. L'id\u00e9e est d'utiliser une marque pour d\u00e9tourner une client\u00e8le.<\/p><p>En revanche, un usage \u00ab hors de la vie des affaires \u00bb ne pourra a priori pas \u00eatre condamn\u00e9. Par exemple, les journalistes peuvent citer une marque d\u00e9pos\u00e9e \u00e0 des fins d\u2019information. De m\u00eame, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cairn.info\/revue-legicom-2001-2-page-97.htm\">il est possible, sous certaines conditions, de parodier une marque enregistr\u00e9e<\/a>. Mais bien entendu, le parodiste ne doit pas \u00eatre un concurrent, et son objectif doit \u00eatre l\u00e9gitime (il ne doit pas tirer de profit de la caricature).<\/p><p> <\/p><h2>Conclusion : bonne foi et contrefa\u00e7on<\/h2><p>Enfin, il est important de relever que devant les tribunaux civils, la bonne ou mauvaise foi du contrefacteur est indiff\u00e9rente. Le fait d\u2019ignorer l\u2019existence d\u2019une marque d\u00e9pos\u00e9e ne peut \u00eatre invoqu\u00e9 comme moyen de d\u00e9fense.<\/p><p>Par cons\u00e9quent, pour \u00e9viter d'utiliser (et de contrefaire) une marque ant\u00e9rieure notamment lors d\u2019un lancement d\u2019entreprise et\/ou de nouveaux produits, il est fondamental de v\u00e9rifier la disponibilit\u00e9 du nouveau nom. <a href=\"http:\/\/depot-de-marque.com\/guide-marques\/disponibilite-marque-recherche-danteriorites\/\">Il faut ainsi r\u00e9aliser des recherches de similitudes parmi les marques ant\u00e9rieures<\/a>.<\/p><p>De m\u00eame, si vous recevez un courrier de mise en demeure d\u2019un concurrent et\/ou de son avocat, ne l\u2019ignorez pas. Il s\u2019agit souvent d\u2019une premi\u00e8re \u00e9tape avant une attaque en justice. Il conviendra d\u2019\u00e9tudier le bien-fond\u00e9 de la demande avant de r\u00e9pondre. Et il est pr\u00e9f\u00e9rable de ne pas utiliser la marque litigieuse pendant la dur\u00e9e de la proc\u00e9dure.  Pour ne pas faire de faux pas, <a href=\"http:\/\/depot-de-marque.com\/contact\/\">faites-vous accompagner par un conseil sp\u00e9cialis\u00e9<\/a>.<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>","tve_custom_css":"@media (min-width: 300px){.tcb-post-list[data-css=\"tve-u-16ecb5f152b\"] .post-wrapper.thrv_wrapper { width: calc(50% - 10px); }.tcb-post-list[data-css=\"tve-u-16ecb5f152b\"] .post-wrapper.thrv_wrapper:nth-child(n+3) { margin-top: 20px !important; }.tcb-post-list[data-css=\"tve-u-16ecb5f152b\"] .post-wrapper.thrv_wrapper:not(:nth-child(n+3)) { margin-top: 0px !important; }.tcb-post-list[data-css=\"tve-u-16ecb5f152b\"] .post-wrapper.thrv_wrapper:not(:nth-child(2n)) { margin-right: 20px !important; }.tcb-post-list[data-css=\"tve-u-16ecb5f152b\"] .post-wrapper.thrv_wrapper:nth-child(2n) { margin-right: 0px !important; }}","tve_user_custom_css":"","tve_globals":{"e":"1","font_cls":[]},"tcb2_ready":1,"tcb_editor_enabled":1,"tve_landing_page":"","_tve_header":"","_tve_footer":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[357,94,48,105,56,108],"class_list":["post-3958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-contrefacon","tag-concurrence","tag-conflit","tag-contrefacon","tag-fraude","tag-monopole","tag-usage","post-wrapper","thrv_wrapper"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/depot-de-marque.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/depot-de-marque.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/depot-de-marque.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/depot-de-marque.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4666"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/depot-de-marque.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3958"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/depot-de-marque.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3958\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/depot-de-marque.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3959"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/depot-de-marque.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/depot-de-marque.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/depot-de-marque.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}