Article 3(2)

Acquired distinctiveness, Alphabetical word, Article 3(1)(v), Article 3(2), Famous mark, Inherent distinctiveness, Trademark Appeal 05/08/2026

JPO Finds “ON” Distinctive in Relation to Footwear

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has r…

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…

Accelerated examination, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Trademark Appeal 10/25/2025

YONEX Scored Win in Registering Color mark

On October 21, 2025, the Japan Pate…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Three dimensional mark, Trade dress, Trademark Appeal 10/18/2025

JPO Rejected 3D shape of KitKat 2 Finger Mini Chocolate Wafers as Trademark

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) Appea…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Famous mark, Three dimensional mark, Trade dress 08/09/2025

JPO Grants TM Registration for 3D Shape of the Popular Pocky Cookie

On July 25, 2025, the Japan Patent …

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, New Trademark Law, Trademark Appeal 04/12/2025

JPO Said No to Register Kawasaki Green Color Mark

On March 19, 2025, the Japan Patent…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Trademark Appeal 11/23/2024

No Green Light to Kawasaki Green Color Mark

On November 15, 2024, Kawasaki Heav…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Device mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Three dimensional mark, Trademark Appeal 11/10/2024

Japan IP High Court gives Green Light to 3D “Godzilla” shape as Trademark

On October 30, 2024, the Japan IP H…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Device mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Three dimensional mark, Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination Guideline 05/26/2024

P&G Unsuccessful attempt to register 3D shape of SK-II bottle

In an attempt to register TM App no…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Device mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, IP High Court, Trademark Appeal 04/28/2024

IP High Court Rejected TM Registration of AP “ROYAL OAK” Watch Design

On March 28, 2024, the Japan IP Hig…