Japan Trademark Law

Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 01/11/2025

STARBUCKS Unsuccessful Invalidation Action against Trademark “STARBOSS”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, Distinctiveness, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, similarity of service, Trademark Appeal 01/04/2025

JPO Decision: Trademark “Dear U plus” dissimilar to “dear U”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) overt…

Color marks, Composite mark, compound mark, Design invalidation, Device mark, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Invalidation, IP High Court, Letter of consent, Likelihood of confusion, Madrid Protocol, New Trademark Law, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Trade dress, Trademark Appeal 12/29/2024

Top 10 Trademark News in Japan, 2024

As the year 2024 comes to an end, i…

Accelerated examination, Article 4(1)(xi), composite, Composite mark, compound mark, Distinctiveness, Invalidation, IP High Court, Similarity of mark 12/21/2024

Trademark dispute: UNITED vs UNITED GOLD

In a dispute over the similarity of…

Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, composite, Composite mark, compound mark, Device mark, Famous mark, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 12/14/2024

Trademark Parody case : Champion vs Nyanpion

On Novem 20, 2024, the Japan Patent…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), composite, Composite mark, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, similarity of service 12/08/2024

COSME MUSEUM vs Cosmetic Museum

In a trademark invalidation action …

Accelerated examination, alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, similarity of service, Violation of public order 11/30/2024

COSTCO vs MINICOS

In a trademark opposition regarding…

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…

Article 4(1)(xi), Invalidation, IP High Court, similarity of goods, similarity of service, Trademark Examination Guideline 11/16/2024

IP High Court Found “Medical Equipment” Similar to “Rental of Medical Equipment”

On November 11, 2024, the Japan IP …

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…