Trademark Examination Guideline

Article 4(1)(vi), Famous mark, IP High Court, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Trademark Examination Guideline 01/29/2023

“OLYMPIAD vs OLYMBEER” trademark battle

The Japan IP High Court reversed a …

alphabetical name, Article 50, Cancellation trial, IP High Court, Non-use cancellation, Trademark Examination Guideline, Trademark Examination Manual 04/10/2022

Japan IP High Court Ruling: “Designed, Quality-controlled in France” is not equivalent to “Made in France”

On March 22, 2022, in an appeal aga…

Article 4(1)(xi), similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, similarity of service, Trademark assignment, Trademark Examination Guideline 12/31/2021

Letter of Consent in Japanese Trademark Practice

When trademark applicants receive a…

Article 4(1)(vii), Composite mark, Famous mark, Name of a living individual, Opposition, Trademark Examination Guideline, Violation of public order 12/12/2021

TM Opposition: Claude Monet vs Monet Design

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) sided…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(v), Article 3(2), Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination Guideline 11/27/2021

Formula One Successful in Registering “F1”

In a recent decision, the Appeal Bo…

Advisory Opinion, Article 26(1)(vi), Article 28, Article 3(1)(vi), Device mark, Famous mark, Figurative mark, Hantei, Trademark Examination Guideline, trademark infringement 10/10/2021

LV Damier pattern is unenforceable TM right against traditional Japanese checkered pattern

In an advisory opinion on trademark…

Article 4(1)(vii), examination, Famous mark, Katakana, Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination Guideline, Trademark Examination Manual, Violation of public order 06/27/2021

“MONA LISA” May Smile At You

In a recent decision, the Japan Pat…

Article 4(1)(i), Article 4(1)(iv), Device mark, Figurative mark, infringement, IP High Court, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Tokyo district court, Trademark Examination Guideline, trademark infringement 05/02/2021

IP High Court affirmed TM infringement in favor of Wenger over cross design

On April 21, 2021, the Japan IP Hig…

Accelerated examination, Annual report, fast track examination, JPO Announcement, JPO Status Report, Trademark Examination Guideline, Trademark Examination Manual 11/22/2020

Tips to Pass the JPO Trademark Registration Exam in 2 months

“JPO Status Report 2020” reveals mo…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, JPO Announcement, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination Guideline 11/15/2020

Less than 1.5% Success Rate for Getting Color Mark Registration in Japan

Japan opened the gate to Non-Tradit…