Moral ties against signs: how to choose a naming and not insult anyone?
Moral ties against signs: how to choose a naming and not insult anyone?
Can a “god-mouse” offend someone? Can the word “black” harm society? Such questions arise when Rospatent decides whether or not to register a brand as a trademark.
The laws do not clearly define what violates the “public interest”, but set key features:
- anti-state slogans,
- an insult to dignity and religious feelings,
- violation of spelling rules,
- obscene words and images.
This is an open list, so Rospatent may see a violation in something else as well.
Judicial practice is not easy to understand, as it depends on the context. For example, signs with religious symbols used to be registered, but now only if they were owned by a religious organization.
On the other hand, the degree to which many signs are “immoral” or “offensive” depends heavily on interpretation. Therefore, applicants often manage to challenge decisions and obtain the registration of their technical specifications.
In the article here, Versus.legal lawyers talk about the most common reasons why a sign is considered to be inconsistent with “the principles of humanity and morality”. In it, experts analyzed cases and decisions of Rospatent and courts on unusual signs.