Famous mark

abbreviation, Article 4(1)(viii), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 04/09/2023

Dolce & Gabbana Unsuccessful in Blocking Trademark “Ms. dolce”

The Japan Patent Office dismissed a…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, similarity of service 04/02/2023

VISA lost in a bid to oppose AIR VISA

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

Acquired distinctiveness, Device mark, Famous mark, infringement, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark, Three dimensional mark, Tokyo district court, Trade dress, trademark infringement, Unfair Competition Law 03/26/2023

Hermes Wins Birkin & Kelly Bag’s 3D Trademark Infringement Lawsuit

On March 9, 2023, the Tokyo Distric…

Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, examination, Famous mark, Letter of Protest, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark 02/25/2023

Letter of Protest protects PUMA from Free-rider

The JPO examiner raised her objecti…

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…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Article 4(1)(xvi), Device mark, Famous mark, Three dimensional mark, Trademark Appeal 02/12/2023

JPO Decision: the Volkswagen Beetle 3D shape Lacks Distinctiveness

The JPO Appeal Board affirmed the e…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Device mark, Famous mark, Figurative mark, IP High Court, Three dimensional mark, Trademark Appeal 02/05/2023

IP High Court Rules Lego 3D Figure Mark Unregistrable

The Japan IP High Court dismissed a…

Article 4(1)(vi), Famous mark, IP High Court, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Trademark Examination Guideline 01/29/2023

“OLYMPIAD vs OLYMBEER” trademark battle

The Japan IP High Court reversed a …

Acquired distinctiveness, Color marks, Famous mark, IP High Court, Likelihood of confusion, Position mark, Tokyo district court, Unfair Competition Law 01/22/2023

Louboutin 2nd Defeat in Litigation over Red Soles

By order of December 26, 2022, the …

Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, similarity of service 01/15/2023

Failed trademark opposition by Volkswagen: POLO vs. QOLO

On December 28, 2022, the JPO Oppos…