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

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, IP High Court, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Trademark Appeal 07/12/2020

Japan IP High Court Refuses Trademark Protection for Orange Color Mark

On 23 June 2020, the Japan IP High …

JPO Announcement 07/04/2020

Trademark Applications Drop as Pandemic Pushes Japan into Recession

Japan’s economy has slipped into re…

abbreviation, Article 3(1)(vi), composite, Composite mark, Descriptive mark, Device mark, Distinctiveness, Figurative mark, IP High Court, Trademark Appeal 06/28/2020

Japan IP High Court ruling: “I♡JAPAN” lacks distinctiveness as a trademark

On June 17, 2020, the Japan IP High…

abbreviation, Article 4(1)(xi), composite, Composite mark, compound mark, Descriptive mark, Distinctiveness, IP High Court, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 06/20/2020

Japan IP High Court sided with Apple Inc. in “CORE ML” trademark dispute

On May 20, 2020, the Japan IP High …

Acquired distinctiveness, alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Article 4(1)(xvi), Descriptive mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Geographical indication, Trademark Appeal 06/13/2020

Sweet, but long road to register “Ghana” on chocolates

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) allow…

Article 4(1)(xi), examination, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 06/06/2020

LEPUS vs. LEPS

In an appeal decision, the Japan Pa…

Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, compound mark, examination, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 05/31/2020

JPO decided “Antithesis” dissimilar to a mark consisting of it and other eight terms placed in 9 rows

In an administrative appeal disputi…

Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 05/23/2020

TWITTER Unsuccessful in “TWEET” Trademark Opposition at JPO

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal, Violation of public order 05/16/2020

Never Register “BOND GIRL” Never Again

In a recent administrative decision…

Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination Guideline 05/09/2020

Coronavirus Impact on Trademark Procedures in Japan

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has a…