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Japan IP High Court ruled “AZURE” is unregistrable due to “AZULE”

2021年1月17日Article 4(1)(xi), AZULE, AZURE, IP High Court, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, similarity of mark, similarity of service, trademark appealArticle 4(1)(xi), IP High Court, Similarity of mark, Similarity of service, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

On December 23, 2020, the Japan IP High Court affirmed a decision of the Japan Patent Office (JPO) finding that the “AZURE” mark is similar to senior trademark registration no. 5454302 for word mark “AZULE” in...

The University of Oxford Failed in Opposition Against “OXFORD” mark

2021年1月10日Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(viii), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, geographical indication, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, Likelihood of confusion, Oxford, similarity of mark, Trademark opposition, University of OxfordAbbreviation, Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(viii), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, Famous mark, Geographical indication, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark, Trademark Opposition, Violation of public orderMasaki MIKAMI

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismissed an opposition filed by Oxford Limited against trademark registration no. 6164941 for composite mark comprised of term “OXFORD” and a square X symbol in class 25, 35,40 by...

Mercedes-Benz StarParts vs Star-Parts

2021年1月3日Article 4(1)(xi), Mercedes Benz, similarity of mark, StarParts, trademark appealAlphabetical word, Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, Device mark, Famous mark, Refusal appeal, Similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

In an administrative decision, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) held the “Mercedes-Benz Star Parts” with a car device mark is dissimilar to the “Star-Parts” word mark.[Appeal case no. 2020-650009, Gazette issued...

Hermès beat Birkin Bag Imitator for Trademark Infringement

2020年12月26日Birkin, damages, Hermes, IP High Court, passing-off, Tokyo District Court, Trade dress, trademark infringement, Unfair Competition Prevention ActAcquired distinctiveness, Article 3(2), Famous mark, IP High Court, Similarity of mark, Three dimensional mark, Tokyo District Court, Trade dress, trademark infringement, Unfair Competition Prevention ActMasaki MIKAMI

On December 17, 2020, the Japan IP High Court upheld awards for JPY2,900,000 for damages suffered by Hermès in relation to a trademark infringement and passing-off case regarding the Birkin Bag imitations.[Court case no....

iPad vs MI PAD

2020年12月20日Apple Inc., Article 4(1)(xv), international registration, iPad, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, Likelihood of confusion, Madrid Protocol, MI PAD, Trademark opposition, XiaomiAlphabetical word, Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Similarity of service, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

JPO sided with Apple Inc. in a dispute with a China-based consumer electronics company, Xiaomi that registers and uses the “MI PAD” trademark on tablet computers by finding that “MI PAD” is likely to cause...

Katakana to prevent mispronunciation of brands

2020年12月12日Google, Hiragana, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, Kanji, Katakana, Levis, Michelin, NIKE, Uber, XXIOAlphabetical word, KatakanaMasaki MIKAMI

The unique writing system of the Japanese language consists of three different character sets: Kanji (several thousands of Chinese characters),...

El Clasico Scores a Goal in Trademark Race

2020年12月6日Article 3(1)(iii), Article 4(1)(xvi), El Clasico, FC Barcelona, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, lack of distinctiveness, LaLiga, Real Madrid, trademark appealArticle 3(1)(iii), Article 4(1)(xvi), Generic term, Inherent distinctiveness, Madrid Protocol, Refusal appealMasaki MIKAMI

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) overturned the examiner’s refusal and decided to register the “El Clasico” mark in connection with sporting activities, production of sports events, sports information services, and...

Securely Protecting Trademark Abbreviations

2020年11月29日Abbreviation, Abercrombie & Fitch, acronym, Family Mart, Famima, McDonald, nicknameAbbreviation, Composite mark, Famous mark, Non-use cancellation, Similarity of markMasaki MIKAMI

Japanese is prone to abbreviate trademarks.
Occasionally, the abbreviation has no resemblance to its original name. A brand
owner should be mindful of how the public perceives and uses its trademarks in
Japan....

Tips to Pass the JPO Trademark Registration Exam in 2 months

2020年11月22日Accelerated examination, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, JPO Status Report, trademark examination guidelineAccelerated examination, Annual report, fast track examination, JPO Announcement, JPO Status Report, Trademark Examination Guideline, Trademark Examination ManualsMasaki MIKAMI

"JPO Status Report 2020" reveals more applicants make use of the “Accelerated Examination” in order to obtain an earlier trademark registration.

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Less than 1.5% Success Rate for Getting Color Mark Registration in Japan

2020年11月15日Christian Louboutin, colormark, Hermes, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, non-traditional trademark, Red BullAcquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Colormark, Inherent distinctiveness, New Trademark Law, New type of trademark, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

Japan opened the gate to Non-Traditional trademark, namely, color, sound, position, motion, hologram, in April 2015. It seems true that, beyond expectation, JPO has a significantly high hurdle to clear.

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