译文(字数 3324):
论美国海关和边境保护阻止灰色市场产品进口
2012年2月
一、概览:平行进口
1、什么是平行进口?
平行进口,又被称为是灰色市场商品,是指在美国境外购买的商标产品通过合法的渠道进口到美国,但是未经美国商标权人许可就销售的。平行进口商品并不是假冒商标产品,因为这些产品是由合法的商标权人生产、销售的。但是这些产品可能会按照与美国市场上销售的同品牌产品的不同的配方制造或者不同的包装方式而且其最初的销售目的不是为了销往美国市场。由于国际间的政策或货币之间的差异导致不同地区的平行进口产品的价格不同,这样区域间流转平行进口人可以获得利润。
2、为何平行进口会引起诸多的问题
有实质上有区别的平行进口对商标权人和消费者都会引起问题。对于商标权人来说,平行进口会导致对美国市场上产品的质量不能得到控制。通常情况下产品会考虑不同区域间的区别,针对消费者销售适合他们的产品。如果未经授权的外国商标产品销售到美国,那么商标权人不能确保消费者能购买到针对他们的喜好,也可能不符合美国政府的规定。
外文原文(字符数 11601):
TRADEMARK OWNER’S GUIDE TO PARALLEL IMPORTS IN THE UNITED STATES
I. Overview: Parallel Imports
A. What are Parallel Imports?
Parallel imports, also known as gray market goods, are branded goods that have been purchased through legal channels outside the United States and imported for sale into the United States without authorization from the U.S. trademark owner. Parallel imports are not counterfeit goods because they have been produced by, for, or under license from the trademark owner. However, they may have been formulated or packaged differently for sale in markets outside the United States and not intended for sale domestically by the U.S. trademark owner. It is possible for parallel imports to be sold for a profit, often at a lower price, than similar goods authorized for sale in the United States because of international pricing policies or currency differences.
B. Why are Parallel Imports a Problem?
Materially different parallel imports are problematic for both trademark owners and consumers. For trademark owners, parallel imports often lead to an inability to control the quality of their goods in the United States. Often products may be tailored to the specific tastes of a particular market. If goods intended for foreign consumers are sold without authorization in the United States, the U.S. trademark owner loses the ability to ensure that U.S. consumers are receiving goods designed for their consumer preferences and potentially to satisfy U.S. governmental regulations. Packaging and instructions may be in a language other than English, and may lack domestic telephone numbers for customer support. In the case of electronic goods, issues may arise with goods manufactured for use in countries with different electrical standards than the United States.