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...

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...

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...

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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