In an appeal concerning the similarity between the registered mark “Ribbon” and a junior application containing the literal elements “Ziploc” and “Ribbon,” the Japan Patent Office (JPO) overturned the examiner’s refusal and held that the two marks were dissimilar.
(Appeal Case No. 2025-4546, decision dated January 19, 2026)

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The contested mark: “Ziploc Ribbon”

SC Johnson & Son, Inc. filed a trademark application on February 14, 2024, for a composite mark comprising the literal elements “Ziploc” and “Ribbon,” with the word “Ribbon” placed below “Ziploc” within a ribbon design (see image below). The application designated plastic bags and containers in Classes 16 and 21. [TM Application No. 2024-14335]

“Ziploc” is widely known as a brand of reusable, re-sealable zipper storage bags and containers manufactured by S. C. Johnson & Son, a US-based company.

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JPO examination

On January 29, 2025, the JPO examiner rejected the application pursuant to Article 4(1)(xi) of the Japan Trademark Law, citing prior registered trademark No. 4873505 for the word mark “Ribbon” in standard character, which has been registered since 2005 for identical or similar goods in the same classes.

SC Johnson filed an appeal against the examiner’s decision on March 25, 2025, seeking revocation of the refusal.

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Appeal Board decision

The JPO Appeal Board reversed the examiner’s decision and concluded that the marks were dissimilar, reasoning as follows:

1. Because the literal elements of the applied-for mark are depicted in a similar monochromatic color scheme and arranged in close proximity, relevant consumers are likely to perceive the mark as a single, unified whole.
2. The term “Ribbon” possesses only a low degree of inherent distinctiveness, as it is commonly used to denote a long, narrow strip of material employed for tying or decorative purposes.
3. Given that the element “Ziploc,” which is prominently displayed in the contested mark, is widely recognized as an indicator of origin for the applicant’s zipper storage bags and containers, there is no evidence to suggest that the term “Ribbon,” shown beneath “Ziploc” in a smaller font, plays a dominant role in identifying the commercial source of the goods.
4. In light of the foregoing, it is unreasonable to assess similarity between the marks based solely on the shared element “Ribbon.”

Based on this analysis, the Appeal Board set aside the examiner’s refusal and granted registration of the “Ziploc Ribbon” mark.

Masaki MIKAMI, Attorney at IP LAW – Founder of MARKS IP LAW FIRM