Japan Trademark Law

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…

abbreviation, Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Cancellation trial, Composite mark, Famous mark, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 10/04/2020

Coffee Trademark Battle

Colombian Coffee Federation (FNC) f…

Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, compound mark, Famous mark, Invalidation, IP High Court, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark 09/27/2020

Starbucks defeated in trademark battle to defend the logo

On September 16, 2020, the Japan IP…

Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark 09/20/2020

ZARA successful in invalidating the Zarbleu mark

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) sided…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(vi), Article 3(2), Distinctiveness, IP High Court, New Trademark Law, Non-Traditional trademark, Position mark, Trademark Appeal 09/13/2020

Japan IP High Court Ruling on Distinctiveness of Position Mark

On August 27, 2020, the Japan IP Hi…

Article 4(1)(xi), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 09/06/2020

HENNESSY vs. INESSY

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), composite, Composite mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, similarity of service 08/30/2020

Failed Opposition by ESPRIT against trademark registration “ESPRIT SELECTION”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(viii), compound mark, examination, Famous mark, IP High Court, Name of a living individual, Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination Manual 08/23/2020

Fashion Designer Lost Trademark Dispute Over His Name

On July 29, 2020, the Japan IP High…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), composite, Composite mark, Opposition, Similarity of mark, similarity of service 08/15/2020

Economic Forum Trademark Dispute

World Economic Forum, the Internati…

abbreviation, Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), composite, Composite mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Trademark Appeal 08/09/2020

POLO RALPH LAUREN vs. US POLO ASSN

The Appeal Board of the Japan Paten…