JAPAN TRADEMARK REVIEW – Latest news & updates for trademarks in Japan

Accelerated examination, Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, Composite mark, Device mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 04/27/2025

Trademark Dispute: Domino’s Pizza vs Dog’s Pizza

In a trademark opposition against T…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, Composite mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 04/19/2025

HERMES Defeated with Trademark Opposition against KIMONO TWILLY

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, New Trademark Law, Trademark Appeal 04/12/2025

JPO Said No to Register Kawasaki Green Color Mark

On March 19, 2025, the Japan Patent…

Article 4(1)(vi), Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(2), Bad faith, compound mark, Famous mark, Invalidation, IP High Court, Trademark assignment, Violation of public order 04/06/2025

End of the TOKYO 2020 Olympic emblem dispute

On March 12, 2025, the Japan IP Hig…

Accelerated examination, JPO Announcement, JPO Status Report 03/28/2025

JPO Status Report 2025

According to “JPO Status Report 202…

Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, Famous mark, IP High Court, Likelihood of confusion, trademark infringement, Unfair Competition Law, Violation of public order 03/22/2025

Trademark Squatter Seeking to Ruin Luxury Brand with Obscene Language

In May 2022, the Japan IP High Cour…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 03/15/2025

Trademark dispute: “MARROW” vs “Le mallow”

In a recent decision, the Japan Pat…

abbreviation, Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, similarity of service, Trademark Appeal 03/08/2025

Porsche Successful in Registration of Composite Mark “PCA”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) rever…

Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, compound mark, Famous mark, IP High Court, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 03/01/2025

Court Case: VALENTINO GARVANI vs GIANNI VALENTINO

The Japan IP High Court affirmed th…

Article 3(1)(vi), Composite mark, Distinctiveness, Trademark Appeal 02/22/2025

Is “WEBmetaverse” registrable as a trademark?

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) affir…