Japan Trademark Law

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 11/20/2021

Is the Academy Award-winning film “La La Land” a famous trademark?

In an appeal decision, the Japan Pa…

Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, compound mark, Device mark, Famous mark, Figurative mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 11/14/2021

Failed trademark opposition by Disney over a 3-circle silhouette

In a recent decision, the Japan Pat…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 11/07/2021

Huda Kattan failed to take back trademark HUDABEAUTY

In a trademark opposition against T…

Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, similarity of service, trademark infringement 10/23/2021

Famous mark Protection under Trademark Law

Japan is a rigid “first-to-file” ju…

Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Bad faith, Device mark, Famous mark, Figurative mark, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Violation of public order 10/17/2021

Failed Opposition by Longines over Winged Hourglass logo mark

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

Advisory Opinion, Article 26(1)(vi), Article 28, Article 3(1)(vi), Device mark, Famous mark, Figurative mark, Hantei, Trademark Examination Guideline, trademark infringement 10/10/2021

LV Damier pattern is unenforceable TM right against traditional Japanese checkered pattern

In an advisory opinion on trademark…

Fee, JPO Announcement 10/03/2021

Japan: Increase in Trademark Fees, Effective April 1, 2022

On September 14, 2021, the Japan Pa…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 09/19/2021

Isn’t it MIRACLE?

In recent administrative decision, …

abbreviation, alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, similarity of service 09/11/2021

HUGO BOSS Unsuccessful in Blocking “BOSS”

German luxury fashion house Hugo Bo…

Article 4(1)(xix), Bad faith, Composite mark, Famous mark, Katakana, Opposition, Similarity of mark 09/05/2021

BEYOND MEAT defeats “Beyond Meat Burger”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) sided…