Trademark Appeal

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, IP High Court, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Trademark Appeal 07/12/2020

Japan IP High Court Refuses Trademark Protection for Orange Color Mark

On 23 June 2020, the Japan IP High …

abbreviation, Article 3(1)(vi), composite, Composite mark, Descriptive mark, Device mark, Distinctiveness, Figurative mark, IP High Court, Trademark Appeal 06/28/2020

Japan IP High Court ruling: “I♡JAPAN” lacks distinctiveness as a trademark

On June 17, 2020, the Japan IP High…

abbreviation, Article 4(1)(xi), composite, Composite mark, compound mark, Descriptive mark, Distinctiveness, IP High Court, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 06/20/2020

Japan IP High Court sided with Apple Inc. in “CORE ML” trademark dispute

On May 20, 2020, the Japan IP High …

Acquired distinctiveness, alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Article 4(1)(xvi), Descriptive mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Geographical indication, Trademark Appeal 06/13/2020

Sweet, but long road to register “Ghana” on chocolates

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) allow…

Article 4(1)(xi), examination, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 06/06/2020

LEPUS vs. LEPS

In an appeal decision, the Japan Pa…

Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, compound mark, examination, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 05/31/2020

JPO decided “Antithesis” dissimilar to a mark consisting of it and other eight terms placed in 9 rows

In an administrative appeal disputi…

Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal, Violation of public order 05/16/2020

Never Register “BOND GIRL” Never Again

In a recent administrative decision…

Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination Guideline 05/09/2020

Coronavirus Impact on Trademark Procedures in Japan

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has a…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 04/25/2020

OKLOK vs OKLOCK

In a trademark dispute, similarity …