Inherent distinctiveness

Trademark trolls target New Japan era name “REIWA”

2019年5月11日Era name, New era, REIWA, trademark trollInherent distinctiveness, Trademark Examination GuidelineMasaki MIKAMI

Over 1,200 applications filed for Reiwa-related trademarks in China within a month after announcement of the new Imperial era name “REIWA” by the Japanese government on April 1, 2019.

According to a search site of China's trademark office,...

Trademark registration for Tasaki’s Akoya pearls ring

2019年4月21日Acquired distinctiveness, Akoya pearls, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), TASAKIAcquired 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”

2019年3月31日Article 3(1)(iii), Hisamitsu, Japan Trademark Law, Salonpas, trademark appealArticle 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...

AI SCAN ROBO

2018年12月16日AI, AI SCAN ROBO, Article 3(1)(vi), inherent distinctivenessArticle 3(1)(vi), Inherent distinctiveness, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

In a recent administrative decision, the Appeal Board of Japan Patent Office (JPO) allowed registration for a word mark of “AI SCAN ROBO”, finding that the mark could function as a source indicator.
[Appeal case no. 2018-5433, Gazette issue...

Is Polaroid Photo Frame trademarked?

2018年8月26日Article 3(1)(vi), Japan Trademark Law, JPO, PolaroidArticle 3(1)(vi), Device mark, Inherent distinctiveness, Refusal appeal, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

In a recent decision, the Appeal Board of Japan Patent Office (JPO) admitted trademark registration for the Polaroid Photo Frame design mark (see below) in relation to services of photo printing, digital on-demand printing, processing of...

JPO refused 3M Company to register “3M” in relation to vehicles regardless of renowned 3M logo

2018年5月26日3M, Article 3(1)(v), Japan Trademark LawAbbreviation, Article 3(1)(v), Famous mark, Inherent distinctiveness, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

In a recent decision, the Appeal Board of Japan Patent Office (JPO) did not allow registration of a word mark “3M” written in standard character due to a lack of distinctiveness in relation to vehicles (class 12). [Appeal case no....

Trademark registration for Kikkoman’s Soy sauce 3D Bottle

2018年4月28日Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(2), Kikkoman, Soy sauce, three dimensional markAcquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Composite mark, Famous mark, Inherent distinctiveness, Three dimensional markMasaki MIKAMI

In October 11, 2016, Kikkoman Corporation, the world's leading producer of soy sauce, filed an application for trademark registration at the Japan Patent Office (JPO) for the following three-dimensional colored mark for soy sauce in class...

Never trademark “BON GOÛT” in food-service business

2018年3月10日Article 3(1)(iii), BON GOUT, descriptive term, inherent distinctiveness, trademark appealArticle 3(1)(iii), Inherent distinctiveness, Refusal appeal, Trademark Appeal1 CommentMasaki MIKAMI

The Appeal Board of the Japan Patent Office (JPO) decided to register a term of “bon goût” in relation to various foods of class 30 and restaurant service of class 43 by finding that the term is deemed a coined word to relevant public in...

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