Trademark dispute over Shogun Emblem of the Samurai Era

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , Article 4(1)(vi), Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, Device mark, Famous mark, Geographical indication, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

In a recent appeal trial over trademark dispute, the Trademark Appeal Board within the Japan Patent Office (JPO) overturned the Examiner’s determination and held that a combination mark with Tokugawa crest image and literal elements written in...

Giorgio Armani defeated with trademark battle over V-shaped wing device

, , , , , Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Device mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

In a recent administrative trademark decision , the Opposition Board of Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismissed an opposition filed by Giorgio Armani S.p.A against trademark registration no. 5983697 for V-shaped wing device mark on bags in class 18...

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...

HISAMITSU unsuccessful in registering a shape of “Salonpas”

, , , , Article 3(1)(iii), Device mark, Inherent distinctiveness, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

The Appeal Board of Japan Patent Office (JPO) disallowed registration of a shape of famous Japanese pain relief patches in the name of “Salonpas” manufactured by Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc. due to lack of inherent distinctiveness in...

Serapian Loses Trademark Opposition against S device mark

, , , , Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xv), Device mark, Likelihood of confusion, Madrid Protocol, Similarity of mark, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

The Italian-based fashion house Stefano Serapian S.r.l., known for its briefcases, handbags and purses opposed the registration in Japan of the trademark S logo owned by the Japanese company, Kabushiki Kaisha...

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...