Color marks

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…

Color marks, Famous mark, Invalidation, IP High Court, Likelihood of confusion, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Non-use cancellation, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Three dimensional mark, Tokyo district court, trademark infringement 12/27/2025

Top 10 Trademark News in Japan, 2025

As the year 2025 comes to an end, i…

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), 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…

Color marks, Composite mark, compound mark, Design invalidation, Device mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Invalidation, IP High Court, Letter of consent, Likelihood of confusion, Madrid Protocol, New Trademark Law, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Trade dress, Trademark Appeal 12/29/2024

Top 10 Trademark News in Japan, 2024

As the year 2024 comes to an end, i…

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(1)(vi), Article 3(2), Color marks, Descriptive mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, IP High Court, Non-Traditional trademark, Three dimensional mark, Trademark Appeal 04/21/2024

Japan IP High Court said No to registering the color of Hermes packaging

The Japan IP High Court ruled to di…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, Non-Traditional trademark 11/11/2023

JPO rejection to Kubota Tractors’ Color Marks

On October 31, 2023, the Japan Pate…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Non-Traditional trademark, Position mark, Trademark Appeal 08/26/2023

Japan IP High Court Decision to A Position Mark of Dr. Martens’ Yellow Welt Stitch

On August 10, 2023, the Japan IP Hi…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(1)(vi), Article 3(2), Color marks, Famous mark, Trademark Appeal 05/05/2023

JPO Appeal Board Rejects Hermes Packaging Colors

On April 25, 2023, the JPO Appeal B…