Secondary meaning

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…

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), 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), 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…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, Non-Traditional trademark 11/11/2023

JPO rejection to Kubota Tractors’ Color Marks

On October 31, 2023, the Japan Pate…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Famous mark, Three dimensional mark, Trademark Appeal 07/15/2023

CASIO Successful in Registering 3D Shape of “G-SHOCK” Watch

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) disaf…

Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Device mark, examination, Famous mark, Trademark Appeal 06/25/2023

Audemars Piguet Unsuccessful Challenge of TM Registration for Iconic Shape of “ROYAL OAK” Timepiece

On June 8, 2023, the Japan Patent O…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(1)(vi), Article 3(2), Color marks, Famous mark, Trademark Appeal 05/05/2023

JPO Appeal Board Rejects Hermes Packaging Colors

On April 25, 2023, the JPO Appeal B…

Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(3), Article 3(2), Color marks, Distinctiveness, Famous mark, IP High Court, Position mark, Trademark Appeal 02/18/2023

Tragic End of Trademark Challenge for Louboutin

In a series of Louboutin’s legal ch…