Articles by Masaki MIKAMI

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Article 4(1)(xvi), Famous mark, Inherent distinctiveness, Katakana, Refusal appeal, Trademark Appeal 04/12/2026

MARKS IP successfully assists “European Sugar Cone” with proving acquired distinctiveness as a trademark for ice cream in Japan

In an administrative appeal, the Ja…

Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, Composite mark, compound mark, Device mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Violation of public order 04/04/2026

Trademark Dispute: RUBIK CUBE vs RUBiK Pi

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

Accelerated examination, Annual report, JPO Announcement, JPO Status Report, Trademark Registration 03/28/2026

JPO Status Report 2026

According to the “JPO Status Report…

Fee, Madrid Protocol 03/21/2026

JPO Decreases the Individual Fee for the Madrid Protocol from April 12, 2026

As from April 12, 2026, the am…

Accelerated examination, Article 4(1)(xi), Refusal appeal, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 03/14/2026

JPO found BISOU dissimilar to its mirrored mark

In an appeal disputing the similari…

Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, compound mark, Likelihood of confusion, Refusal appeal, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 03/07/2026

Two words arranged in two lines with different fonts are considered in their entirety, the JPO says

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) rever…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Color marks, Device mark, Famous mark, Inherent distinctiveness, Position mark 02/28/2026

JPO denied registration of Thom Browne RWB Stripe as a color mark three times in a row

The JPO examiner rejected Thom Brow…

Article 4(1)(xi), Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 02/21/2026

ALCOTT Unsuccessful in Trademark Opposition against ACLOTT

In a trademark dispute regarding si…

Article 3(1)(iii), Inherent distinctiveness, Refusal appeal, Trademark Appeal 02/14/2026

OneClick is not descriptive in relation to computer software, JPO says

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) overt…

Article 4(1)(xi), Refusal appeal, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 02/07/2026

JPO Found Trademark “Finto” Dissimilar to “Fi.n.t”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) set a…