POLO BCS defeated in trademark battle with POLO RALPH LAUREN

, , , , Abbreviation, Article 4(1)(xv), Division of trademark application, Famous mark, IP High Court, Likelihood of confusion, Refusal appeal, Similarity of markMasaki MIKAMI

In a ruling on the merits of whether or not an applied mark “POLO HOME / BRITISH COUNTRY SPIRIT” is likely to cause confusion with a world-famous trademark “POLO” by the fashion house Ralph Lauren, the Japan IP High Court sided with the...

SEGWAY unsuccessful in opposing SWAGWAY mark

, , , Article 4(1)(vii), Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark, Trademark Opposition, Violation of public orderMasaki MIKAMI

The Japan Patent Office dismissed a trademark opposition claimed by an American manufacturer of two-wheeled personal transporters, Segway Inc. against trademark registration no. 5910587 for the Swagway mark in class 12 by finding less likelihood...

Apple successful in a trademark opposition to block “PriPhone”

, , , , , Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of mark, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

Apple Inc. achieved a victory over trademark battle involving famous “iPhone”.
In a recent trademark opposition, case no. 2017-900319, the Opposition Board of Japan Patent Office (JPO) decided in favor of Apple Inc. to cancel trademark...

Apple Inc. Lost Trademark Opposition to “SMAPPLE” in Japan

, , , , , Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

The Japan Patent Office dismissed a trademark opposition claimed by the U.S. tech giant, Apple Inc. against trademark registration no. 5987344 for word mark “SMAPPLE” in class 9 and 37 by finding less likelihood of confusion with...

ROLEX Unsuccessful in Trademark Battle Over Crown Logo

, , , , Article 4(1)(xv), Device mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Madrid Protocol, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

In a recent trademark decision, the Opposition Board of Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismissed an opposition against IR no. 1263679  filed by Rolex SA, Swiss manufacturer of luxurious watches, based on the iconic Rolex crown.

[Opposition case...

Google victorious in trademark dispute for YouTube icon

, , , , , , , Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, Device mark, Famous mark, Invalidation trial, Likelihood of confusion, Similarity of markMasaki MIKAMI

The Trial Board of Japan Patent Office (JPO) recently upheld Google’s invalidation petition against TM Reg. no. 5665763 for the “Video Blog” mark in combination with figurative element (see below) due to similarity to YouTube icon and a...

Straight Wings Emblem Trademark Battle

, , , , , Article 4(1)(x), Article 4(1)(xi), Article 4(1)(xix), Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, Device mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

In a recent trademark decision regarding straight wings emblem on automobiles, the Opposition Board of Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismissed an opposition filed by BENTLEY MOTORS LIMITED and ASTON MARTIN LAGONDA LIMITED against trademark...

GODZILLA defeated GUZZILLA in IP High Court trademark battle

, , , , , , Article 4(1)(xv), Famous mark, Invalidation trial, IP High Court, Likelihood of confusionMasaki MIKAMI

On June 12, 2018, the Japan IP High Court denied the JPO Trial Board decision and sided with TOHO Co., Ltd., a Japanese filmmaker that unleashed Godzilla on the world, in a trademark dispute between GODZILLA and GUZZILLA.
[Judicial case no....

JPO sided with Apple Inc. over trademark battle between Mac and MacEdge

, , , , , Abbreviation, Article 4(1)(xv), Composite mark, Famous mark, Likelihood of confusion, Trademark OppositionMasaki MIKAMI

Apple Inc. has won a trademark opposition it lodged against GIGAZONE INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., a Taiwanese company, over Japanese trademark registration no. 5877027 for word mark "MacEdge".
[Opposition case no. 2016-900375, Gazette issued date:...