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

abbreviation, alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, Composite mark, compound mark, Famous mark, Geographical indication, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 08/14/2022

LE MANS, Unsuccessful Trademark Race spending more than 24 Hours

On July 29, 2022, the Opposition Bo…

abbreviation, alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, compound mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark, similarity of service, Trademark Appeal 08/06/2022

No confusion between “InstaShop” and “Instagram”

On July 27, 2022, the Appeal Board …

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(vi), Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Violation of public order 07/31/2022

Olympic Lose Trademark Race with Olimple

In a trademark opposition disputing…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, Composite mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Violation of public order 07/23/2022

GUCCI Unsuccessful in Trademark Opposition

On July 12, 2022, the Japan Patent …

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 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Device mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 07/10/2022

PUMA wins opposition over Formstrip mark

The Opposition Board of Japan Paten…

Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, compound mark, Device mark, Similarity of mark, similarity of service, Trademark Appeal 07/02/2022

Trademark dispute: RIVER vs river

In a recent decision, the JPO Appea…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 06/26/2022

APPLE Unsuccessful in Trademark Opposition to “MACLOGIC”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 06/18/2022

Fashion magazine “ELLE” loses “RIELLE” trademark opposition in Japan

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Non-Traditional trademark, Position mark, Trademark Appeal 06/11/2022

JPO Rejected Colormark of Louboutin’s red soles

On June 7, 2022, the Appeal Board o…