Article 4(1)(xvi)

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)(xvi), Article 4(1)(xvii), Famous mark, Geographical indication, Opposition, Violation of public order 07/12/2025

JPO Finds trademark “yes no champagne” for wines with the protected appellation of origin “Champagne” registrable even if owned by Japanese company.

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Article 4(1)(xvi), Composite mark, Distinctiveness, Generic term, Trademark Appeal 10/21/2023

Japan IP High Court ruled “athlete Chiffon” descriptive in relation to hotel and restaurant services.

On October 12, 2023, the Japan IP H…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Article 4(1)(xvi), Device mark, Famous mark, Three dimensional mark, Trademark Appeal 02/12/2023

JPO Decision: the Volkswagen Beetle 3D shape Lacks Distinctiveness

The JPO Appeal Board affirmed the e…

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 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…

Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xvi), Composite mark, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 01/24/2021

SMART vs SMART TYRE

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Article 4(1)(xvi), Distinctiveness, Madrid Protocol, Trademark Appeal 12/06/2020

El Clasico Scores a Goal in Trademark Race

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) overt…

Acquired distinctiveness, alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Article 4(1)(xvi), Descriptive mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Geographical indication, Trademark Appeal 06/13/2020

Sweet, but long road to register “Ghana” on chocolates

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) allow…

alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(1)(vi), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Article 4(1)(xvi), Descriptive mark, Famous mark, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 03/15/2020

SWATCH Defeated in SWATCH vs iWATCH Trademark Dispute

The Trial Board of Japan Patent Off…