First ruling by IP High Court on New Type of Trademark in Japan

, , , , , , , , , Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Inherent distinctiveness, IP High Court, New Trademark Law, New type of trademark, Position mark, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

On February 14 2020, the Japan IP High Court ruled to uphold the Japan Patent Office (JPO) decision and rejected TM application no. 2016-009831 for a 3D position mark consisting of three virtual images of oil stove flame...

Acquired distinctiveness for 3D shape of OMRON digital thermometer

, , , , , , , Accelerated examination, Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Inherent distinctiveness, Three dimensional mark, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

The Japan Patent Office recently admitted trademark registration for a three-dimensional shape of digital thermometers ‘MC-670’ and ‘MC-681’ manufactured by Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd. by finding acquired...

Calvin Klein defeated with trademark battle over “CK”

, , , , Abbreviation, Acquired distinctiveness, Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismissed an
opposition by Calvin Klein Trademark Trust, a well-known name in fashion, who
claimed “CK” device mark is likely to cause confusion with Calvin Klein when
used on various...

JPO rejects 3D Shape Mark of Giant Cotton Candy

, , , , , , Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Inherent distinctiveness, Refusal appeal, Three dimensional markMasaki MIKAMI

In a dispute of registrability to a unique
three-dimensional shape of giant cotton candy, the Appeal Board of Japan Patent
Office (JPO) refused protection of the 3D mark due to lack of distinctiveness.  
[Appeal case...

JPY 71 Million Damages Award Against Design Copycat of BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE

, , , , , Acquired distinctiveness, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Trade dress, Unfair Competition Prevention ActMasaki MIKAMI

In a civil legal battle involving design copycat of luxurious “BAO BAO” bags designed by ISSEY MIYAKE, a Japanese fashion designer, the Tokyo District Court sided with ISSEY MIYAKE and found infringement under the...

The Japan IP High Court Finds “EQ” Entitled to Trademark Registration Belonging to Mercedes Benz

, , , , , , , , Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(v), Inherent distinctiveness, IP High Court, Refusal appeal, Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination GuidelineMasaki MIKAMI

On July 3, 2019, the Japan IP High Court reversed a decision of the Japan Patent Office (JPO) finding that the company Daimler AG was entitled to registration of “EQ” for Motor vehicles in class 12, even though the...

Trademark registration for Tasaki’s Akoya pearls ring

, , , , Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Device mark, Inherent distinctiveness, Three dimensional mark, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

In March 17, 2017, Japanese jewelry house TASAKI & Co., Ltd., the Japanese leading producer of Akoya pearls, filed an application for trademark registration at the Japan Patent Office (JPO) for the following three-dimensional mark for rings...

LUIS POULSEN Victory over trademark infringement lawsuit for Pendant Lamp Shade

, , , , , Acquired distinctiveness, Device mark, Famous mark, Similarity of mark, Three dimensional mark1 CommentMasaki MIKAMI

On December 27, 2018, the Tokyo District Court sided with Luis Poulsen A/S, a Danish company, in a lawsuit for trademark infringement against R&M Japan Co., Ltd. who imported into Japan and sold lighting apparatus allegedly identical with or...

IP High Court denied registering 3D Shape of Nursing Care Bed

, , , , , Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), IP High Court, Three dimensional mark, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

The Japan IP High Court, in its ruling on November 29, 2018, did not side with Paramount Bed Co., Ltd., a Japanese manufacturer and distributor of medical and nursing care product, who filed an appeal against refusal decision by JPO to TM...