MARKS IP LAW FIRM

Japanese IP Attorney Firm specializing in Trademarks with a commitment to excellence

TEL (+81) 6-6123-7894

Home / trademark application

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...

Coronavirus Impact on Trademark Procedures in Japan

2020年5月9日coronavirus, COVID, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, JPO, outbreak, trademark applicationTrademark Appeal, Trademark Examination GuidelineMasaki MIKAMI

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has announced the measures it has taken to help foreign users for trademarks during the coronavirus outbreak.

Response...

OKLOK vs OKLOCK

2020年4月25日Article 4(1)(vi), Dissimilarity of mark, JAPAN PATENT OFFICE, Japan Trademark Law, OKLOCK, OKLOK, similarity of mark, trademark appeal, trademark applicationArticle 4(1)(xi), Refusal appeal, Similarity of goods, Similarity of mark, Trademark AppealMasaki MIKAMI

In a trademark dispute, similarity between “OKLOK” and “OKLOCK”, the Appeal Board of the Japan Patent Office found both marks dissimilar and reversed examiner’s rejection.[Appeal case no. 2019-16781, Gazette...

JPO Annual Report 2019

2019年7月13日Annual report, FA Pendency, JPO, Madrid Protocol, trademark applicationAnnual reportMasaki MIKAMI

The Japan Patent Office released its 2019 Annual Report (in Japanese only) on July 12, 2019, which contain informative figures and statistics relating to IP applications in Japan and on all other activities of the...