Distinctiveness

Acquired distinctiveness, alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(v), Descriptive mark, Distinctiveness, examination, Trademark Appeal 03/07/2021

“FS12” can’t be registered due to a lack of distinctiveness

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) affir…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(2), damage, Descriptive mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, IP High Court, Similarity of mark, Three dimensional mark, Tokyo district court, Trade dress, Unfair Competition Law 12/26/2020

Hermès beat Birkin Bag Imitator for Trademark Infringement

On December 17, 2020, the Japan IP …

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, Article 3(1)(vi), Article 3(2), Distinctiveness, IP High Court, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Position mark, Trademark Appeal 09/13/2020

Japan IP High Court Ruling on Distinctiveness of Position Mark

On August 27, 2020, the Japan IP Hi…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, IP High Court, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Trademark Appeal 07/12/2020

Japan IP High Court Refuses Trademark Protection for Orange Color Mark

On 23 June 2020, the Japan IP High …

abbreviation, Article 3(1)(vi), composite, Composite mark, Descriptive mark, Device mark, Distinctiveness, Figurative mark, IP High Court, Trademark Appeal 06/28/2020

Japan IP High Court ruling: “I♡JAPAN” lacks distinctiveness as a trademark

On June 17, 2020, the Japan IP High…

abbreviation, Article 4(1)(xi), composite, Composite mark, compound mark, Descriptive mark, Distinctiveness, IP High Court, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 06/20/2020

Japan IP High Court sided with Apple Inc. in “CORE ML” trademark dispute

On May 20, 2020, the Japan IP High …

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…

Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), compound mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 05/03/2020

HERMES scores victory in trademark battle over KELLY

In a trademark opposition at the Ja…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Distinctiveness, IP High Court, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Position mark 02/29/2020

First ruling by IP High Court on New Type of Trademark in Japan

On February 14 2020, the Japan IP H…