Trademark Appeal

Article 4(1)(vii), examination, Famous mark, Katakana, Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination Guideline, Trademark Examination Manual, Violation of public order 06/27/2021

“MONA LISA” May Smile At You

In a recent decision, the Japan Pat…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), compound mark, Distinctiveness, examination, Similarity of mark, similarity of service, Trademark Appeal 06/13/2021

JPO found Italian word “Panetteria” distinctive in relation to restaurant service

In a recent administrative decision…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), compound mark, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 05/15/2021

Trademark Similarity: APLAY vs applay

In a trademark dispute pertinent to…

Article 4(1)(xi), composite, Composite mark, examination, Famous mark, Generic term, Katakana, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 03/21/2021

JPO rejects “AIR NECKTIE” due to similarity to NIKE “AIR”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

Acquired distinctiveness, alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(v), Descriptive mark, Distinctiveness, examination, Trademark Appeal 03/07/2021

“FS12” can’t be registered due to a lack of distinctiveness

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) affir…

Article 4(1)(xi), IP High Court, Similarity of mark, similarity of service, Trademark Appeal 01/17/2021

Japan IP High Court ruled “AZURE” is unregistrable due to “AZULE”

On December 23, 2020, the Japan IP …

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), composite, Composite mark, Device mark, examination, Famous mark, Figurative mark, Madrid Protocol, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 01/03/2021

Mercedes-Benz StarParts vs Star-Parts

In an administrative decision, the …

alphabetical name, Article 3(1)(3), Article 4(1)(xvi), Distinctiveness, Madrid Protocol, Trademark Appeal 12/06/2020

El Clasico Scores a Goal in Trademark Race

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) overt…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, JPO Announcement, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination Guideline 11/15/2020

Less than 1.5% Success Rate for Getting Color Mark Registration in Japan

Japan opened the gate to Non-Tradit…

abbreviation, alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), composite, Composite mark, Monogram, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 10/11/2020

PGA

In a recent administrative decision…