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

Article 4(1)(viii), Letter of consent, Name of a living individual, Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination Guideline 12/03/2023

Is Mr. Benjamin Brown around?

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) rever…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, compound mark, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 11/26/2023

JPO decision to trademark dissimilarity, Unbelievable or Believable?

On November 9, 2023, the JPO Appeal…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Likelihood of confusion, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, similarity of service, Trademark Appeal 11/19/2023

JPO decided trademark “MONO” dissimilar to “MONO+”

In a trademark appeal disputing sim…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, Non-Traditional trademark 11/11/2023

JPO rejection to Kubota Tractors’ Color Marks

On October 31, 2023, the Japan Pate…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, IP High Court, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 11/05/2023

Trademark dispute: HITACHI vs hitasi

On October 16, 2023, the Japan Pate…

Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(viii), Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, compound mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, similarity of service 10/29/2023

ANYTIME FITNESS Unsuccessful Opposition against “anytime 24” mark in relation to fitness service

On October 17, 2023, the Japan Pate…

alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Article 4(1)(xvi), Composite mark, Distinctiveness, Generic term, Trademark Appeal 10/21/2023

Japan IP High Court ruled “athlete Chiffon” descriptive in relation to hotel and restaurant services.

On October 12, 2023, the Japan IP H…

Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, similarity of service 10/15/2023

Trademark Opposition Case: “DROP” vs “THE DROP”

In a trademark opposition disputing…

Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 10/07/2023

Trademark Opposition: JEEP vs JEIP321

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, Device mark, Famous mark, Figurative mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Violation of public order 09/30/2023

Failed Trademark Opposition over VW TYPE-2

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) did n…