Trademark Dispute Over Cigarette Sub-Brand “SIGNATURE”

, , , , , , , , Article 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, Device mark, IP High Court, Refusal appeal, Similarity of mark, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

In a decision dated September 12, 2019, the Japan IP High Court affirmed the Japan Patent Office's (JPO) determination to refuse registration for the STATE EXPRESS 555 "SIGNATURE" cigarette package design due to a...

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 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...

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...

JPO denied registering GRAND CANYON as trademark

, , , Article 3(1)(iii), Geographical indication, Trademark Appeal, Trademark Examination Guideline1 CommentMasaki MIKAMI

In a recent appeal decision, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) upheld examiner’s refusal and decided to reject trademark “GRAND CANYON” in connection with clothing and shoes of class 25 due to lack of distinctiveness. [Appeal case no....

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...