Famous mark

Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, compound mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 06/05/2026

Trademark Dispute: PINGU vs pingu・pongu

In a recent opposition decision, th…

Article 3(1)(iii), Consent, Famous mark, Inherent distinctiveness, Name of a living individual, Refusal appeal, Trademark Appeal 05/22/2026

JPO Refuses “PICASSO” for Printed Matter and Artworks Despite Authorization from the Picasso Family

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) affir…

Acquired distinctiveness, Alphabetical word, Article 3(1)(v), Article 3(2), Famous mark, Inherent distinctiveness, Trademark Appeal 05/08/2026

JPO Finds “ON” Distinctive in Relation to Footwear

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has r…

Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 05/01/2026

ARC’TERYX Unsuccessful Trademark Opposition against “Arcsilk”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, Device mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 04/18/2026

JPO Decision: No Likelihood of Confusion with Lacoste Crocodile Logo

In a trademark dispute arguing simi…

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)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, Composite mark, compound mark, Device mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Violation of public order 04/04/2026

Trademark Dispute: RUBIK CUBE vs RUBiK Pi

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

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…

Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, compound mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Refusal appeal, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 01/24/2026

Ziploc Ribbon, Ziploc, or Ribbon?

In an appeal concerning the similar…

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…