Inherent distinctiveness

Japan IP High Court ruling: “I♡JAPAN” lacks distinctiveness as a trademark

2020年6月28日Article 3(1)(vi), I love Japan, inherent distinctiveness, IP High Court, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, JPO, lack of distinctiveness, trademark appeal, trademark applicationAbbreviation, Article 3(1)(vi), Composite mark, compound mark, Device mark, Inherent distinctiveness, IP High Court, Refusal appeal, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

On June 17, 2020, the Japan IP High Court affirmed the JPO’s rejection of the “I♡JAPAN” mark in relation to various goods of class 14,16,18 and 24 due to a lack of distinctiveness. [Judicial case no. Reiwa...

Japan IP High Court sided with Apple Inc. in “CORE ML” trademark dispute

2020年6月20日Apple Inc., Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, CORE MIL, IP High Court, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, Seiko, similarity of mark, Supreme Court, trademark appealAbbreviation, Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, compound mark, Inherent distinctiveness, IP High Court, Refusal appeal, Similarity of mark, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

On May 20, 2020, the Japan IP High Court denied the JPO decision and sided with Apple Inc. by finding the “CORE ML” mark is dissimilar to senior trademark registration no. 5611369 for word mark “CORE” in...

Sweet, but long road to register “Ghana” on chocolates

2020年6月13日Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 4(1)(xvi), Chocolate, Ghana, inherent distinctiveness, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, Lotte, trademark appealAcquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Article 4(1)(xvi), Famous mark, Geographical indication, Inherent distinctiveness, Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination GuidelineMasaki MIKAMI

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) allowed trademark registration of “Ghana” in connection with chocolates of class 30 by finding acquired distinctiveness as a source indicator of Lotte Co., Ltd., a Korea-based...

JPO protects 3D shape of cherry design bottle for soy sauce dispenser

2020年4月18日3D mark, Article 3(1)(iii), dispenser, inherent distinctiveness, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, RISU, Secondary meaning, Soy sauce, three dimensional mark, trademark appealArticle 3(1)(iii), Inherent distinctiveness, Three dimensional mark, Trade dress, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

In a recent administrative decision, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) found 3D shape of cherry design bottle is inherently distinctive in relation to soy sauce dispensers in class 21 even without secondary meaning.[Appeal...

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

2020年2月29日Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), inherent distinctiveness, IP High Court, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, New type of trademark, Position mark, Rainbow, TOYOTOMIAcquired 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...

JPO registers PUERTA DEL SOL as trademark

2020年2月15日Article 3(1)(iii), geographical indication, inherent distinctiveness, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, PUERTA DEL SOLArticle 3(1)(iii), Geographical indication, Inherent distinctiveness, Refusal appeal, Trademark Examination GuidelineMasaki MIKAMI

In a recent appeal decision, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) overturned examiner’s refusal and decided to register trademark “PUERTA DEL SOL” in connection with jewels, accessories, clothing and other goods of class...

Acquired distinctiveness for 3D shape of OMRON digital thermometer

2019年12月15日3D mark, Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), Digital thermometer, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, OMRONAccelerated 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...

JPO rejects 3D Shape Mark of Giant Cotton Candy

2019年10月19日Article 3(1)(iii), Article 3(2), giant cotton candy, Harakuju, Japan Trademark Law, three dimensional mark, TOTTI CANDY FACTORYAcquired 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...

Porsche wins trademark protection for “911”

2019年10月6日911, Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(v), Article 3(2), Japan Trademark Law, PORSCHEAcquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(v), Famous mark, Inherent distinctiveness, Madrid Protocol, Refusal appealMasaki MIKAMI

Porsche, a German sports car maker, has recently won trademark protection for its widely known three-digit code “911” in Japan.[Appeal case no. 2018-650044]

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Is “VEGAS” an abbreviation for Las Vegas, or a source indicator?

2019年9月15日Article 3(1)(iii), geographical indication, Japan Trademark Law, Las Vegas, Trademark opposition, VEGASAbbreviation, Article 3(1)(iii), Geographical indication, Inherent distinctiveness, Trademark Examination Guideline, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

In a trademark opposition disputing over abbreviation for ‘Las Vegas’, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) decided the term “VEGAS” shall be distinctive in connection with a service of providing amusement facilities...

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