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

Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Bad faith, Device mark, Famous mark, Figurative mark, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Violation of public order 10/17/2021

Failed Opposition by Longines over Winged Hourglass logo mark

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

Advisory Opinion, Article 26(1)(vi), Article 28, Article 3(1)(vi), Device mark, Famous mark, Figurative mark, Hantei, Trademark Examination Guideline, trademark infringement 10/10/2021

LV Damier pattern is unenforceable TM right against traditional Japanese checkered pattern

In an advisory opinion on trademark…

Fee, JPO Announcement 10/03/2021

Japan: Increase in Trademark Fees, Effective April 1, 2022

On September 14, 2021, the Japan Pa…

Tokyo district court, Trade dress, Unfair Competition Law 09/25/2021

Tokyo District Court awards record damages of JPY200M over a dead copy of bra design

The Tokyo District Court, on Septem…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 09/19/2021

Isn’t it MIRACLE?

In recent administrative decision, …

abbreviation, alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, similarity of service 09/11/2021

HUGO BOSS Unsuccessful in Blocking “BOSS”

German luxury fashion house Hugo Bo…

Article 4(1)(xix), Bad faith, Composite mark, Famous mark, Katakana, Opposition, Similarity of mark 09/05/2021

BEYOND MEAT defeats “Beyond Meat Burger”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) sided…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 08/29/2021

No confusion between WeWork and iWork

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Madrid Protocol, Similarity of mark, similarity of service, Trademark Appeal 08/22/2021

Dot Makes Wordmark Dissimilar

In a trademark dispute pertinent to…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 08/15/2021

JPO found likelihood of confusion between SONY and SONICODE

The Japan Patent Office sided with …