Likelihood of confusion

Color marks, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Non-Traditional trademark, Position mark, Similarity of mark, Tokyo district court, Unfair Competition Law 03/13/2022

Louboutin Unsuccessful in Litigation over Red Soles

On March 11, 2022, the Tokyo Distri…

Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Device mark, Famous mark, Figurative mark, Invalidation, Likelihood of confusion, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 02/05/2022

A trademark dispute over Apple logo

On January 13, 2022, the Japan Pate…

Article 4(1)(viii), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark 01/29/2022

DIOR Successful in Blocking Trademark “zovladior”

On December 28, 2021, the Japan Pat…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, Similarity of mark, Trade dress 01/22/2022

Failed trademark opposition by HERMES against HAIRMES

On December 1, 2021, the Japan Pate…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark 01/09/2022

GAP Unsuccessful in Trademark Opposition against “Gapace”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

abbreviation, alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(viii), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Name of a living individual, Opposition, Similarity of mark 12/25/2021

DIOR Failed to Cancel Trademark “DIORLV”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) did n…

alphabetical name, Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bad faith, Famous mark, Opposition, similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, similarity of service, Standard character, Violation of public order 12/18/2021

Samsung Failed in TM Opposition against “Funky Galaxy”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismi…

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…

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…