On March 29, 2024, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) released a new Trademark Examination Manual 46.02 regarding adequate goods and services in connection with the Metaverse and NFTs.
Virtual goods
- “Virtual goods” is unacceptable as a goods because of broad and vague description.
- Acceptable description (examples in virtual clothing) [similarity code]
- Cl. 9: Downloadable virtual clothing [11C01, 24E02, 26D01]
- Cl. 9: Downloadable computer programs for displaying clothing in virtual environments [24E02, 26D01]
- Cl. 9: Downloadable image files for displaying clothing in virtual environments [24E02, 26D01]
- Cl. 35: Online retail services for downloadable virtual clothing [11C01, 24E02, 26D01, 35K08, 35K15, 35K99]
- Cl. 41: Providing online images for displaying clothing in virtual environment [41E02]
- Cl. 42: Providing computer programs on data networks for displaying clothing in virtual environments [42X11]
- Unacceptable description
- Cl. 9: virtual goods (clothing)
- Cl. 9: downloadable virtual goods
- Cl. 9: downloadable virtual living ware
- Cl. 9: downloadable computer programs for displaying goods in virtual environments
- Cl. 9: downloadable image files for displaying goods in virtual environments
- Cl. 35: retail services for downloadable virtual goods
- Cl. 35: retail services for downloadable virtual foods and beverages
- Cl. 41: providing online images for displaying goods in virtual environment
- Cl. 42: Providing computer programs on data networks for displaying goods in virtual environments
- Inappropriate class
- Cl. 25: downloadable virtual clothing
- Cl. 25: virtual clothing
Services in connection with the Metaverse
- Acceptable description (examples)
- Metaverse Platformers
- Cl. 38: providing chatrooms in virtual environments [42X11]
- Cl. 42: hosting software platforms for virtual environment-based work collaboration [42X11]
- Service provider on the Metaverse
- Cl. 35: marketing through product placement for others in virtual environments [35A01, 35A02, 35B01]
- Cl. 36: online banking services renders in virtual environments [36A01]
- Cl. 41: simulated travel services provided in virtual environments for entertainment purposes [41F06]
- Cl. 41: online game services provided via virtual environments [41K01, 41Z99]
- Metaverse Platformers
- Similarity code
- Identical code is used when a service provided in the Metaverse achieves the same purpose and outcome as a service in the real world
- Cl. 35: advertising for other in virtual environments [35A01]
- Cl. 41: presentation of music concerts in virtual environments [41E03]
- Different code is used when a service provided in the Metaverse does not achieve the same purpose and outcome as a service in real world
- Cl. 41: simulated restaurant services provided in virtual environments for entertainment purposes [41K01, 41Z99] (cf. Cl. 43: restaurant services [42B01])
- Identical code is used when a service provided in the Metaverse achieves the same purpose and outcome as a service in the real world
NFTs
- “NFT” is unacceptable as a goods and service because of broad and vague description.
- Acceptable description (examples) [similarity code]
- Cl. 9: Downloadable computer software applications for minting non-fungible tokens [NFTs] [11C01]
- Cl. 9: Downloadable digital image files authenticated by non-fungible tokens [NFTs] [24E02, 26D01]
- Cl. 25: clothing authenticated by non-fungible tokens [NFTs] [17A01, 17A02, 17A03, 17A04, 17A07]
- Cl. 35: purchasing of digital image files authenticated by non-fungible tokens [NFTs] [35B01]
- Cl. 36: management of crypto assets authenticated by non-fungible tokens [NFTs] [36A01]
- Cl. 42: Providing online non-downloadable computer software for minting non-fungible tokens [NFTs] [42X11]
- Unacceptable description
- Non-fungible tokens [NFTs]
- Online retail services for non-fungible tokens [NFTs]
- Provision of an online marketplace for buyers and sellers of non-fungible tokens [NFTs]