Trademark Appeal

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…

Annual report, Cancellation trial, examination, Invalidation, JPO Announcement, Non-use cancellation, Trademark Appeal 08/06/2023

JPO Annual Report 2023

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) relea…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Famous mark, Three dimensional mark, Trademark Appeal 07/15/2023

CASIO Successful in Registering 3D Shape of “G-SHOCK” Watch

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) disaf…

Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Device mark, examination, Famous mark, Trademark Appeal 06/25/2023

Audemars Piguet Unsuccessful Challenge of TM Registration for Iconic Shape of “ROYAL OAK” Timepiece

On June 8, 2023, the Japan Patent O…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(1)(vi), Article 3(2), Color marks, Famous mark, Trademark Appeal 05/05/2023

JPO Appeal Board Rejects Hermes Packaging Colors

On April 25, 2023, the JPO Appeal B…

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…

alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Composite mark, Descriptive mark, Distinctiveness, Katakana, Trademark Appeal 12/25/2022

TM Race: Which is Registrable, “Virtual Marathon” or “Virtual Tokyo Marathon”?

In a recent administrative decision…

Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 09/24/2022

JPO rejected “BAMBI MAMA&BABY” due to a conflict with “BAMBI”

In a trademark appeal disputing the…