Article 4(1)(xvi)

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Article 4(1)(xvi), Device mark, Famous mark, Three dimensional mark, Trademark Appeal 02/12/2023

JPO Decision: the Volkswagen Beetle 3D shape Lacks Distinctiveness

The JPO Appeal Board affirmed the e…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xvi), Composite mark, Geographical indication, Opposition 07/16/2022

Does “GRILL SWISS” mislead quality when used on non-Swiss confectionary?

The Opposition Board of Japan Paten…

Article 3(1)(3), Article 4(1)(xvi), Descriptive mark, Division of trademark application, examination, Famous mark, Geographical indication, Katakana, Trademark Appeal 01/15/2022

Patagonia Inc Failed in Registering “PATAGONIA”

On December 15, 2021, the Japan Pat…

Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xvi), Composite mark, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 01/24/2021

SMART vs SMART TYRE

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Article 4(1)(xvi), Distinctiveness, Madrid Protocol, Trademark Appeal 12/06/2020

El Clasico Scores a Goal in Trademark Race

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) overt…

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…

alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(1)(vi), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Article 4(1)(xvi), Descriptive mark, Famous mark, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 03/15/2020

SWATCH Defeated in SWATCH vs iWATCH Trademark Dispute

The Trial Board of Japan Patent Off…

Article 4(1)(xv), Article 4(1)(xvi), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 01/18/2020

San Miguel defeat in trademark dispute over ‘AGUA MIGUEL’

In a recent trademark decision, the…

Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xvi), composite, Composite mark, Geographical indication, Opposition, Trademark Examination Guideline, Violation of public order 05/03/2019

GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION BOURBON LOSES TRADEMARK OPPOSITION

In a recent decision, the Japan Pat…

alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Article 4(1)(xvi), Descriptive mark, examination, Famous mark, Madrid Protocol 07/08/2017

JPO decided trademark “WHITNEY HOUSTON” is descriptive when used on music recordings

In a recent appeal decision, the Ja…