Trade Mark Protection: Functionality, “Limping Marks”, Event Marks and Acquired Distinctiveness

This e-presentation offers an analysis of EU law and CJEU case law on the protection of weak trade marks such as limping signs. It also raises important issues related to trade mark functionality and acquired distinctiveness that have been partly tackled by CJEU case law.

Prof Graeme Dinwoodie

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Question 1 of 3

Question 1: The "freeze plus" solution codified in Article 14 of the Directive states that:

Member states shall change their existing provisions relating to the use of the design of a component part used for the purpose of the repair of a complex product so as to restore its original appearance and shall introduce changes to those provisions only if the purpose is to liberalise the market for such parts..

Member states shall maintain in force their existing provisions relating to the use of the design of a component part used for the purpose of the repair of a complex product so as to restore its original appearance and shall introduce changes to those provisions only if the purpose is to liberalise the market for such parts.

Member states shall maintain in force their existing provisions relating to the use of the design of a product for the purpose of the repair of a product so as to restore its original appearance and shall introduce changes to those provisions only if the purpose is to liberalise the market for such parts.

Question 2 of 3

**Question 2: According to the decision adopted by the Court of Justice in Ford Motor Company v Wheeltrims:**

the spare parts exception does not permit a manufacturer to infringe a third party’s trade marks.

the spare parts exception permits a manufacturer to infringe a third party’s trade marks.

it is unclear whether the spare parts exception permits a manufacturer to infringe a third party’s trade marks.

Question 3 of 3

Question 3: The EU Design Directive has harmonised the rules applicable to spares:

No.

Yes.