Frucor主張,查閱商標登記簿的競爭對手應以商標說明作為界定標識之可靠資訊。惟法院表示,依據商標條例(Trade Marks Regulations 1995 (Cth))第4.3條,商標申請必須提交足以識別標識之圖樣,且該條例第4.3(7)條要求,若是顏色商標,並應提供簡潔且準確之商標說明——這意味著商標說明必須參照其圖樣為之——此外,第4.3(10)條進一步強調圖樣的重要性,要求其必須適合於重製,且其性質及品質足使標識之特徵持續保留一段期間。
至於該如何處理前述不一致問題,Frucor認為,法院應依據商標法(Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cth))第63條命令修改申請案內容。法院則回應,同法第197條雖賦予其審理上訴案件之權力,但行使該權力指示或實施有關申請案之修改時,同樣必須遵守登記處行使修改權限所適用之條件與限制——在本案,即為第65條,特別是第65(2)條[3]——按相關規定,若修改商標圖樣將實質影響於申請案詳細資訊公布時之商標身分識別(identity),則禁止予以修改。
Frucor Beverages Limited v The Coca-Cola Company [2018] FCA 993 (2 July 2018)
Energy Beverages LLC v Frucor Suntory New Zealand Limited [2020] NZHC 3296 (14 December 2020)
Sec.65, "Amendment after particulars of application have been published--request for amendment not advertised –– (2) An amendment may be made to the representation of the trade mark if the amendment does not substantially affect the identity of the trade mark as at the time when the particulars of the application were published."