Non-Traditional trademark

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…

Accelerated examination, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Trademark Appeal 10/25/2025

YONEX Scored Win in Registering Color mark

On October 21, 2025, the Japan Pate…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Trademark Appeal 11/23/2024

No Green Light to Kawasaki Green Color Mark

On November 15, 2024, Kawasaki Heav…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(1)(vi), Article 3(2), Color marks, Descriptive mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, IP High Court, Non-Traditional trademark, Three dimensional mark, Trademark Appeal 04/21/2024

Japan IP High Court said No to registering the color of Hermes packaging

The Japan IP High Court ruled to di…

Article 3(1)(vi), Device mark, Distinctiveness, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Position mark, Trademark Appeal 01/21/2024

Hummel Victory in Appeal to Overcome Rejection against Chevron Position Mark

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) Appea…

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…

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, 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…

Color marks, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Non-Traditional trademark, Position mark, Similarity of mark, Tokyo district court, Unfair Competition Law 03/13/2022

Louboutin Unsuccessful in Litigation over Red Soles

On March 11, 2022, the Tokyo Distri…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(1)(vi), Article 3(2), Color marks, Famous mark, Non-Traditional trademark, Trademark Appeal 12/04/2021

Hermes Challenge to Register Packaging Colors

HERMES INTERNATIONAL, a French luxu…