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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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Google’s Trademark Battle over Street View

2020年11月8日Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Google, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, Likelihood of confusion, similarity of mark, Street View, Trademark oppositionArticle 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark, Similarity of service, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

The Opposition Board of the Japan Patent Office (JPO) sided with Google LLC and decided to cancel trademark registration no. 6086044 for word mark “STREET VIEW MODEL (SVM)” due to a likelihood of confusion with...

Court Case: Parallel imports of trademarked goods in Japan

2020年10月31日2UNDR, Fred Perry, Parallel import, Supreme Court, Tokyo District Court, trademark infringementparallel import, Tokyo District Court, trademark infringementMasaki MIKAMI

In a trademark dispute pertinent to parallel imports, on October 22, 2020, the Japan Tokyo District Court allowed the parallel import of “2UNDR” men’s underwear from Singapore into Japan. [Court case no....

LEGO Triumphs In ‘CATTYLEGO’ Trademark Battle at JPO

2020年10月25日Article 4(1)(viii), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), CATTYLEGO, Famous mark, invalidation trial, LEGO, Likelihood of confusion, Trademark oppositionArticle 4(1)(viii), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Invalidation trial, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

LEGO eventually scored a win over PETSWEET CO., Ltd., a Taiwanese company, in a trademark dispute against ‘CATTYLEGO’ thanks to the JPO’s finding a likelihood of confusion with “LEGO” famous for toy...

Bentley Victorious in Trademark Opposition over Winged B logo

2020年10月18日Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Bentley, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, Likelihood of confusion, Trademark opposition, Winged B logoArticle 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, Device mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

The Opposition Board of the Japan Patent Office (JPO) decided in favor of Bentley Motors Limited, the definitive British car company, in their attempt to oppose the registration of the trademark consisting of a copied...

PGA

2020年10月11日Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, Monogram, Perfect Gear Agency, PGA, Professional Golf Association, trademark appealAbbreviation, Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, Device mark, Monogram, Similarity of mark, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

In a recent administrative decision, the Appeal Board of Japan Patent Office (JPO) disaffirmed the examiner’s refusal and held a composite mark, consisting of words “PERFECT GEAR AGENCY” and a monogram “PGA”, is...

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