Introduction
Background
Facts
Decision
Comment
Under the Trademarks Act, a trademark that clearly describes (or deceptively misdescribes) where a good or service comes from often cannot be registered. What then does a "place of origin" encompass – a city, a country, a region, a road or lines on a map?
Based on a recent decision of the Federal Court, all of the above is the apparent answer.
In Nia Wine Group Co, Ltd v North 42 Degrees Estate Winery Inc,(1) the Federal Court determined that "place of origin" should be broadly interpreted "to refer to any geographical designation". It was the first time that a court has expressly considered the meaning of the phrase, and so will serve as direction for future applications, unless it is appealed and overturned.
The rule against monopolising place names is longstanding. Such it was that, in 1937, an English drug company selling a liver tonic under the invented name "Livron" had its registration expunged upon learning that "Livron" was also the name of a French town.(2) Since at least 1888, this prohibition has been codified, it now being present in paragraph 12(1)(b) of the Trademarks Act.
While the basic rule is well known, the boundaries of what constitutes a "place of origin" have been less well defined. This problem has taken on new significance as online searching has swollen the list of potentially problematic names on the radar of trademark examiners.
In the latest case, an Ontario winery sought to register NORTH 42 DEGREES for use in association with wine and the operation of a winery. It was opposed by a Niagara counterpart, which contended that NORTH 42 DEGREES was unregistrable on account of being a degree of latitude.
Justice Aylen agreed. She interpreted the word "place" (and its French equivalent "lieu") to have "broad definitions and include specific references to places on the earth's surface, both general and abstract". Noting that, in prior cases, everything from road names to city names had been found to be "places of origin", she found parallels to latitudes and so held NORTH 42 DEGREES to be contrary to 12(1)(b) of the Act. EQUATOR and GREENWICH were highlighted as further examples of marks that might be highly sought after but unfair to monopolise.
Those looking to plant a flag in a geographic designation need not be without hope, as routes do exist to navigate this concern.
First, owners should consider the now-archived practice notice that explains how the Trademarks Office examined marks with a geographic component. Where a mark has multiple potential meanings, there may be room to argue it is not geographic as a matter of first impression.
Secondly, owners of well-known marks may be able to establish that their trademark has acquired distinctiveness enough to warrant protection. This can be a tough road, though evidence like surveys that chart the views of consumers can make the path easier.
As the global marketplace gets bigger, the space to claim geographic names appears to get smaller. Brand owners exploring the use of a place name as a trademark in Canada would do well to take a lawyer as a guide.
While Nia Wine Group does not venture into wholly unknown territory, it is worth remembering as new and unexpected types of geographic designations appear before the Canadian Trademarks Office.
For further information on this topic please contact Reagan Seidler or Christian Bolduc at Smart & Biggar by telephone (+1 613 232 2486) or email ([email protected] or [email protected]). The Smart & Biggar website can be accessed at www.smartbiggar.ca.
Endnotes
(1) 2022 FC 241.