Article 3(1)(3)

Accelerated examination, Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Distinctiveness, Three dimensional mark 12/15/2019

Acquired distinctiveness for 3D shape of OMRON digital thermometer

The Japan Patent Office recently ad…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Three dimensional mark 10/19/2019

JPO rejects 3D Shape Mark of Giant Cotton Candy

In a dispute of registrability to a…

abbreviation, alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Distinctiveness, Geographical indication, Opposition, Trademark Examination Guideline 09/15/2019

Is “VEGAS” an abbreviation for Las Vegas, or a source indicator?

In a trademark opposition disputing…

Article 3(1)(3), Device mark, examination, Figurative mark 03/31/2019

HISAMITSU unsuccessful in registering a shape of “Salonpas”

The Appeal Board of Japan Patent Of…

Article 3(1)(3), examination, Geographical indication, Trademark Examination Guideline 03/23/2019

JPO denied registering GRAND CANYON as trademark

In a recent appeal decision, the Ja…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), IP High Court, Three dimensional mark 12/03/2018

IP High Court denied registering 3D Shape of Nursing Care Bed

The Japan IP High Court ruled on De…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), examination, Three dimensional mark 06/03/2018

JPO refused to register 3D shape of Mitsubishi Electric’s spiral escalator

The Appeal Board of Japan Patent Of…

alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Composite mark, examination 03/10/2018

Never trademark “BON GOÛT” in food-service business

The Appeal Board of the Japan Paten…

alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Article 4(1)(xiv), Composite mark, Descriptive mark, Opposition 02/10/2018

JPO admits “TE’ CON MIEL” is distinctive in relation to tea

In a recent trademark opposition, t…

Article 3(1)(3), composite, Composite mark, Descriptive mark 12/30/2017

How can a combination of descriptive words become a source indicator?

In a recent decision, the Appeal Bo…