IP High Court

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...

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...

Japan IP High Court Ordered Unofficial Mario Kart To Pay Nintendo Over $450,000

2020年2月1日damages, IP High Court, Mario Kart, Nintendo, Unfair Competition Prevention ActFamous mark, IP High Court, Unfair Competition Prevention ActMasaki MIKAMI

On January 29, 2020, the Japan IP High Court ruled in favor of Nintendo over a case against go-kart operator Mari Mobility (the company formally named Maricar) and ordered damage compensation of 50 million JP.

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Empire Steak House loses to trademark its restaurant name in Japan IP High Court battle

2020年1月12日Article 4(1)(xi), EMPIRE, EMPIRE STEAK HOUSE, IP High Court, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, Supreme CourtArticle 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, IP High Court, Madrid Protocol, Refusal appeal, Similarity of mark, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

On December 26, 2019, the Japan IP High
Court ruled to uphold a rejection by the Japan Patent Office (JPO) to International
Registration no. 1351134 for the mark “EMPIRE STEAK HOUSE” in class 43 due to a
conflict with...

Trademark Dispute Over Cigarette Sub-Brand “SIGNATURE”

2019年9月22日Article 4(1)(xi), Cigarette brand, Gudang Garam, IP High Court, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, No.555, SIGNATURE, STATE EXPRESSArticle 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...

Fashion Designer in trademark fight over his name

2019年8月31日Article 4(1)(viii), Designer name, IP High Court, JPO, KEN KIKUCHIArticle 4(1)(viii), Composite mark, IP High Court, Refusal appeal, Trademark Examination GuidelineMasaki MIKAMI

On August 7, 2019, the Japan IP High Court ruled to dismiss an appeal by Ken Kikuchi, a Japanese jewelry designer, who contested a decision by the Japan Patent Office (JPO) to deny trademark registration for a composite...

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...

PUMA Triumphs in Trademark Battle over Iconic Jumping Cat Logo

2019年4月28日Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xv), invalidation trial, IP High Court, Jumping Cat, Likelihood of confusion, PUMA, PUMA Jumping Cat Logo, Trademark opposition, Trademark ParodyArticle 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(xv), Device mark, Famous mark, Invalidation trial, IP High Court, Likelihood of confusion, Violation of public order1 CommentMasaki MIKAMI

After eight years of prolonged dispute, PUMA SE could achieve a victory over trademark battle involving famous its iconic jumping cat logo. The Japan IP High Court has overturned decisions by the Japan Patent Office (JPO) which said that a...

IP High Court ruling: “BULK AAA” confusingly similar to “BULK HOMME”

2019年3月10日AAA, Article 4(1)(xi), BULK AAA, BULK HOMME, invalidation trial, IP High Court, Japan Trademark LawArticle 4(1)(xi), Composite mark, Invalidation trial, IP High Court, Similarity of markMasaki MIKAMI

On March 7, 2019, the Japan IP High Court revoked a decision by the Japan Patent Office (JPO) to invalidation trial over a dispute of similarity between trademark “BULK AAA” and “BULK HOMME”, and ruled “BULLK AAA” shall be...

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