Distinctiveness

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…

Article 3(1)(3), Distinctiveness, examination, Geographical indication, Trademark Examination Guideline 02/15/2020

JPO registers PUERTA DEL SOL as trademark

In a recent appeal decision, the Ja…

Accelerated examination, Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Distinctiveness, Three dimensional mark 12/15/2019

Acquired distinctiveness for 3D shape of OMRON digital thermometer

The Japan Patent Office recently ad…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(v), Article 3(2), Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Madrid Protocol 10/06/2019

Porsche wins trademark protection for “911”

Porsche, a German sports car maker,…

Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, Device mark, Distinctiveness, IP High Court, Similarity of mark 09/22/2019

Trademark Dispute Over Cigarette Brand “SIGNATURE”

In a decision dated September 12, 2…

abbreviation, alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Distinctiveness, Geographical indication, Opposition, Trademark Examination Guideline 09/15/2019

Is “VEGAS” an abbreviation for Las Vegas, or a source indicator?

In a trademark opposition disputing…

Acquired distinctiveness, alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(v), Article 3(2), Descriptive mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, IP High Court 07/06/2019

The Japan IP High Court Finds “EQ” Entitled to Trademark Registration Belonging to Mercedes Benz

On July 3, 2019, the Japan IP High …