While reading Canada’s Trade-marks Act (IDK why it’s not spelled Trademarks, but anyways…), I found the following interesting nugget. Sounds similar to some domaining practices, and may have value for offline businesses:
Exception for disuse
11.18 (1) Notwithstanding sections 11.14 and 11.15 and paragraphs 12(1)(g) and (h), nothing in any of those provisions prevents the adoption, use or registration as a trade-mark or otherwise, in connection with a business, of a protected geographical indication identifying a wine or spirit if the indication has ceased to be protected by the laws applicable to the WTO Member for which the indication is protected, or has fallen into disuse in that Member.
What would you guys do with this, if you were in the wine/spirits business?
Comments