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Trademark Battle: SPEC vs. SPECK

2018年8月11日Article 4(1)(xi), Samsonite, SPEC, SPECK, Trademark oppositionArticle 4(1)(xi), Madrid Protocol, Similarity of mark, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

In a trademark opposition filed by Samsonite IP Holdings S.à.r.l., an owner of IR no. 1024440 for the mark “SPECK”, against Japanese TM Reg. no. 5980195 for the mark “SPEC”, the Opposition Board of Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismissed the...

Aston Villa lost trademark battle over rampant lion emblem

2018年8月5日Article 4(1)(xi), Aston Villa, Lion, Rampant lion, Trademark oppositionArticle 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, Device mark, Similarity of mark, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

In a trademark battle over rampant lion emblem, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismissed an opposition filed by Aston Villa Football Club Limited, one of the oldest and most successful football clubs in English football, holding that relevant...

Facebook Victory in Battle Over “F” icon

2018年7月28日Article 4(1)(xv), f logo, facebook, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, Likelihood of confusion, Trademark oppositionArticle 4(1)(xv), Device mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

In a recent administrative decision to trademark opposition filed by Facebook Incorporated., the Opposition Board of Japan Patent Office (JPO) declared cancellation of trademark registration no. 5927001 due to a likelihood of confusion with...

Toyota vs. Renault: Battle of the Brands

2018年7月21日Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), RENAULT, TOYOTA, Trademark opposition, TWINGO, WIGOArticle 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

In a trademark opposition between Toyota Motor Corporation (JAPAN) and Renault SAS (FRANCE), the Opposition Board of Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismissed the opposition against trademark registration no. 5932825 for word mark...

Trademark Dispute ROOT vs ROOTS

2018年7月14日Article 4(1)(xi), Root, ROOTS, similarity of mark, Trademark oppositionArticle 4(1)(xi), Similarity of mark, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) decided in a trademark opposition that ROOT is dissimilar to ROOTS in appearance, pronunciation and meaning.
[Opposition case no. 2017-900326, Gazette issue date: June 29, 2018]

Opposed...

Straight Wings Emblem Trademark Battle

2018年7月8日Aston Martin, Bentley, Likelihood of confusion, Toyota 86, Trademark opposition, UltramanArticle 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, Device mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

In a recent trademark decision regarding straight wings emblem on automobiles, the Opposition Board of Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismissed an opposition filed by BENTLEY MOTORS LIMITED and ASTON MARTIN LAGONDA LIMITED against trademark...

First National Trademark Registration in Japan

2018年7月1日Annual report, First national trademark registrationAnnual reportMasaki MIKAMI

According to “Annual Report 2018” released by the Japan Patent Office (JPO) on June 28, 2018, total number of trademark application filed to JPO in 2017 was 190,939, increased by 18 % compared to the previous year.

It is currently possible...

GODZILLA defeated GUZZILLA in IP High Court trademark battle

2018年6月23日Article 4(1)(xv), GODZILLA, GUZZILLA, invalidation trial, IP High Court, Likelihood of confusion, TOHOArticle 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Invalidation trial, IP High Court, Likelihood of confusionMasaki MIKAMI

On June 12, 2018, the Japan IP High Court denied the JPO Trial Board decision and sided with TOHO Co., Ltd., a Japanese filmmaker that unleashed Godzilla on the world, in a trademark dispute between GODZILLA and GUZZILLA.
[Judicial case no....

Japan: Trademark Law Revision Act of 2018 in force on June 9

2018年6月17日Article 10(1), Division of trademark application, New Trademark LawDivision of trademark application, New Trademark LawMasaki MIKAMI

The Japan Trademark Law Revision Act of 2018 (Act No. 33) passing congress on May 23, 2018, was promulgated on May 30 and becomes effective on June 9, 2018.

Revision act sets a high bar for requisite in dividing a trademark application under...

JPO sided with Apple Inc. over trademark battle between Mac and MacEdge

2018年6月10日Apple Inc., Article 4(1)(xv), Likelihood of confusion, Mac, MacEgde, Trademark oppositionAbbreviation, Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

Apple Inc. has won a trademark opposition it lodged against GIGAZONE INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., a Taiwanese company, over Japanese trademark registration no. 5877027 for word mark "MacEdge".
[Opposition case no. 2016-900375, Gazette issued date:...

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