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

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…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(vi), Article 3(2), Distinctiveness, IP High Court, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Position mark, Trademark Appeal 09/13/2020

Japan IP High Court Ruling on Distinctiveness of Position Mark

On August 27, 2020, the Japan IP Hi…

Article 4(1)(xi), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 09/06/2020

HENNESSY vs. INESSY

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), composite, Composite mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, similarity of service 08/30/2020

Failed Opposition by ESPRIT against trademark registration “ESPRIT SELECTION”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(viii), compound mark, examination, Famous mark, IP High Court, Name of a living individual, Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination Manual 08/23/2020

Fashion Designer Lost Trademark Dispute Over His Name

On July 29, 2020, the Japan IP High…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), composite, Composite mark, Opposition, Similarity of mark, similarity of service 08/15/2020

Economic Forum Trademark Dispute

World Economic Forum, the Internati…

abbreviation, Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), composite, Composite mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 08/09/2020

POLO RALPH LAUREN vs. US POLO ASSN

The Appeal Board of the Japan Paten…

Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Generic term, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark 08/02/2020

Is “You Tuber” a source indicator of Google?

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) recen…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Generic term, IP High Court, Similarity of mark, similarity of service 07/26/2020

Is “MAHARAJA” a generic term in relation to Indian restaurants?

On July 8, 2020, the Japan IP High …

Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 07/19/2020

ZARA Fails in Japanese Trademark Opposition Against “ZORA”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…