Résumés
Abstract
A well-recognized trademark is a valuable asset for its owner. It "sells" the goods or services for which it is used and builds a loyal customer base, giving the brand owner a competitive advantage in the market for those goods and services. The process of building and maintaining the reputation of a trademark requires considerable resources and persistence and is often surrounded by various disputes. The purpose of this article is to outline briefly, without claiming to be exhaustive, the specifics of trademark disputes and the benefits of mediation as a means of their resolution. A brief introduction to some basic trademark concepts is included to give an idea of the complexity of trademark disputes. Examples of trademark disputes resolved through negotiation or mediation are also included. As the relevant provisions of national trademark laws vary from country to country, the Regulation (EU) 2017/1001 on the European Union Trademark is used in the text as a reference law. It can be concluded that mediation in trademark disputes provides the parties with important advantages compared to traditional ways of resolving these disputes in adversarial administrative or judicial proceedings. Furthermore, instruments such as Directive 2008/52/EU and the Singapore Convention on Mediation enable the enforceability of settlement agreements resulting from mediation.
Résumé
Une marque reconnue est un atout précieux pour son propriétaire. Elle « vend » les biens ou services pour lesquels elle est utilisée et constitue une clientèle fidèle, donnant au propriétaire de la marque un avantage concurrentiel sur le marché de ces biens et services. Le processus de construction et de maintien de la réputation d’une marque nécessite des ressources et une persévérance considérables et est souvent entouré de divers litiges. L’objectif de cet article est de présenter brièvement, sans prétendre à l’exhaustivité, les spécificités des litiges en matière de marques et les avantages de la médiation comme moyen de les résoudre. Une brève introduction à certains concepts de base des marques est incluse pour donner une idée de la complexité des litiges en matière de marques. Des exemples de litiges en matière de marques résolus par négociation ou médiation sont également inclus. Étant donné que les dispositions pertinentes des lois nationales sur les marques varient d’un pays à l’autre, le règlement (UE) 2017/1001 sur la marque de l’Union européenne est utilisé dans le texte comme loi de référence. On peut conclure que la médiation dans les litiges relatifs aux marques offre aux parties des avantages importants par rapport aux méthodes traditionnelles de résolution de ces litiges dans le cadre de procédures administratives ou judiciaires contradictoires. En outre, des instruments tels que la directive 2008/52/UE et la Convention de Singapour sur la médiation permettent de rendre exécutoire les accords de règlement résultant de la médiation.
Parties annexes
Bibliography
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