Descriptive mark

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…

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…

Acquired distinctiveness, alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(v), Article 3(2), Descriptive mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, IP High Court 07/06/2019

The Japan IP High Court Finds “EQ” Entitled to Trademark Registration Belonging to Mercedes Benz

On July 3, 2019, the Japan IP High …

abbreviation, alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(vi), Descriptive mark, examination 12/16/2018

AI SCAN ROBO

In a recent administrative decision…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1), Article 3(2), Color marks, Composite mark, Descriptive mark, examination, Famous mark, Three dimensional mark 04/28/2018

Trademark registration for Kikkoman’s Soy sauce 3D Bottle

In October 11, 2016, Kikkoman Corpo…

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…

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…