Article 3(1)(iii)

Article 3(1)(iii), Consent, Famous mark, Inherent distinctiveness, Name of a living individual, Refusal appeal, Trademark Appeal 05/22/2026

JPO Refuses “PICASSO” for Printed Matter and Artworks Despite Authorization from the Picasso Family

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) affir…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Article 4(1)(xvi), Famous mark, Inherent distinctiveness, Katakana, Refusal appeal, Trademark Appeal 04/12/2026

MARKS IP successfully assists “European Sugar Cone” with proving acquired distinctiveness as a trademark for ice cream in Japan

In an administrative appeal, the Ja…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Color marks, Device mark, Famous mark, Inherent distinctiveness, Position mark 02/28/2026

JPO denied registration of Thom Browne RWB Stripe as a color mark three times in a row

The JPO examiner rejected Thom Brow…

Article 3(1)(iii), Inherent distinctiveness, Refusal appeal, Trademark Appeal 02/14/2026

OneClick is not descriptive in relation to computer software, JPO says

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) overt…

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)(iii), Article 3(2), Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Three dimensional mark, Trade dress, Trademark Appeal 10/18/2025

JPO Rejected 3D shape of KitKat 2 Finger Mini Chocolate Wafers as Trademark

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) Appea…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Famous mark, Three dimensional mark, Trade dress 08/09/2025

JPO Grants TM Registration for 3D Shape of the Popular Pocky Cookie

On July 25, 2025, the Japan Patent …

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, New Trademark Law, Trademark Appeal 04/12/2025

JPO Said No to Register Kawasaki Green Color Mark

On March 19, 2025, the Japan Patent…

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(2), Device mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Three dimensional mark, Trademark Appeal 11/10/2024

Japan IP High Court gives Green Light to 3D “Godzilla” shape as Trademark

On October 30, 2024, the Japan IP H…