Distinctiveness

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…

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), 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(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, IP High Court, Position mark, Trademark Appeal 02/18/2023

Tragic End of Trademark Challenge for Louboutin

In a series of Louboutin’s legal ch…

alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Composite mark, Descriptive mark, Distinctiveness, Katakana, Trademark Appeal 12/25/2022

TM Race: Which is Registrable, “Virtual Marathon” or “Virtual Tokyo Marathon”?

In a recent administrative decision…

Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 09/24/2022

JPO rejected “BAMBI MAMA&BABY” due to a conflict with “BAMBI”

In a trademark appeal disputing the…

Article 3(1)(vi), Device mark, Distinctiveness, Three dimensional mark, Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination Manual 09/05/2022

Marks IP Wins Trademark Dispute to Register 3D Shape of Hard Rock Guitar Hotel

On August 8, the Appeal Board of th…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Non-Traditional trademark, Position mark, Trademark Appeal 06/11/2022

JPO Rejected Colormark of Louboutin’s red soles

On June 7, 2022, the Appeal Board o…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, examination, Famous mark 05/14/2022

Update of Colormark in Japan – Who awarded the 9th registration?

On March 25, 2022, the Japan Patent…

Article 46, Distinctiveness, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, similarity of service 04/17/2022

Trademark Opposition or Invalidation, Which Is Useful in Japan?

Opposition A trademark opposition i…