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

Accelerated examination, Annual report, fast track examination, JPO Announcement, JPO Status Report, Trademark Examination Guideline, Trademark Examination Manual 11/22/2020

Tip to Pass the JPO Trademark Registration Exam in 2 months

“JPO Status Report 2020” revea…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, JPO Announcement, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination Guideline 11/15/2020

Less than 1.5% Success Rate for Getting Color Mark Registration in Japan

Japan opened the gate to Non-Tradit…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, similarity of service 11/08/2020

Google’s Trademark Battle over Street View

The Opposition Board of the Japan P…

parallel import, Tokyo district court, trademark infringement 10/31/2020

Court Case: Parallel imports of trademarked goods in Japan

In a trademark dispute pertinent to…

Article 4(1)(viii), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 10/25/2020

LEGO Triumphs In ‘CATTYLEGO’ Trademark Battle at JPO

LEGO eventually scored a win over P…

Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), composite, Composite mark, Device mark, Famous mark, Figurative mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Violation of public order 10/18/2020

Bentley Victorious in Trademark Opposition over Winged B logo

The Opposition Board of the Japan P…

abbreviation, alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), composite, Composite mark, Monogram, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 10/11/2020

PGA

In a recent administrative decision…

abbreviation, Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Cancellation trial, Composite mark, Famous mark, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 10/04/2020

Coffee Trademark Battle

Colombian Coffee Federation (FNC) f…

Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, compound mark, Famous mark, Invalidation, IP High Court, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark 09/27/2020

Starbucks defeated in trademark battle to defend the logo

On September 16, 2020, the Japan IP…

Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark 09/20/2020

ZARA successful in invalidating the Zarbleu mark

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) sided…