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

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…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 01/09/2022

GAP Unsuccessful in Trademark Opposition against “Gapace”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

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…

abbreviation, alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(viii), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Name of a living individual, Opposition, Similarity of mark 12/25/2021

DIOR Failed to Cancel Trademark “DIORLV”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) did n…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, Famous mark, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, similarity of service, Standard character, Violation of public order 12/18/2021

Samsung Failed in TM Opposition against “Funky Galaxy”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

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)(3), Article 3(1)(vi), Article 3(2), Color marks, Famous mark, Non-Traditional trademark, Trademark Appeal 12/04/2021

Hermes Challenge to Register Packaging Colors

HERMES INTERNATIONAL, a French luxu…

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…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 11/20/2021

Is the Academy Award-winning film “La La Land” a famous trademark?

In an appeal decision, the Japan Pa…

Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, compound mark, Device mark, Famous mark, Figurative mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 11/14/2021

Failed trademark opposition by Disney over a 3-circle silhouette

In a recent decision, the Japan Pat…