Inherent distinctiveness

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...

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

2019年7月6日Acquired distinctiveness, Article 3(1)(v), Article 3(2), Daimler, EQ, IP High Court, Japan Trademark Law, Mercedes Benz, Secondary meaningAcquired 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 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...

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