Regarding Trademarks that are primarily geographically descriptive.

Marks that are “primarily geographically descriptive” are marks that consist primarily of a generally known geographic place or location. These marks are considered to be descriptive and are not immediately eligible for trademark protection absent acquired distinctiveness through continuous and exclusive use of the mark in commerce. Marks that are primarily geographically descriptive, like other trademarks should be free for all to use in a descriptive sense.

Mark that are primarily geographically descriptive may be eligible for trademark protection and trademark registration upon acquiring distinctiveness. This is the same rule of law that applies to any other descriptive trademarks. In other word, in the perception of the relevant consuming public, the mark which was once primarily geographically descriptive, has now become identified with the source of the product or service.

A different rule of law applies to trademark that are geographically deceptive. A mark is geographically deceptive if 1) the primary significance of the mark is a known geographic place or location 2) the goods or services do not originate in the geographic place in the mark 3) purchasers are likely to make the goods-place association, that is, purchasers are likely to make the assumption that the goods originate in the geographic plane or location, and 4) the misrepresentation regarding the geographic location is likely to be material in purchaser’s purchasing decisions. Marks that are geographically deceptive may not be eligible for trademark protection, and trademark registration, even with a showing of acquired distinctiveness.