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

Article 4(1)(xi), Device mark, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 09/18/2022

MARC JACOBS Failed Trademark Opposition over J Marc

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 09/10/2022

Trademark dispute: LAPPI vs LAPPY

In a recent appeal decision, the Ja…

Article 3(1)(vi), Device mark, Distinctiveness, Three dimensional mark, Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination Manual 09/05/2022

Marks IP Wins Trademark Dispute to Register 3D Shape of Hard Rock Guitar Hotel

On August 8, the Appeal Board of th…

Article 4(1)(viii), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, compound mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 08/28/2022

Unsuccessful opposition against LEGOHAIR

On August 3, 2022, the JPO Oppositi…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 08/20/2022

NIVEA vs NYFEA

On August 2, 2022, the JPO Oppositi…

abbreviation, alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, Composite mark, compound mark, Famous mark, Geographical indication, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 08/14/2022

LE MANS, Unsuccessful Trademark Race spending more than 24 Hours

On July 29, 2022, the Opposition Bo…

abbreviation, alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, compound mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark, similarity of service, Trademark Appeal 08/06/2022

No confusion between “InstaShop” and “Instagram”

On July 27, 2022, the Appeal Board …

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(vi), Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Violation of public order 07/31/2022

Olympic Lose Trademark Race with Olimple

In a trademark opposition disputing…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, Composite mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Violation of public order 07/23/2022

GUCCI Unsuccessful in Trademark Opposition

On July 12, 2022, the Japan Patent …

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xvi), Composite mark, Geographical indication, Opposition 07/16/2022

Does “GRILL SWISS” mislead quality when used on non-Swiss confectionary?

The Opposition Board of Japan Paten…