Trademarks including another person’s name
On February 18 of this year, it was reported that the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill by a vote of 81 to 30 to rename Palm Beach International Airport as “Donald J. Trump…
Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services [Compatible with the NICE International Classification, 13th Edition – Version 2026]
Following the amendment to the Appended Table of the Ministerial Ordinance (the Ordinance for Partial Revision of the Regulation for Enforcement of the Trademark Act; Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Ordinance No. 79 of…
Criminal Penalties for Infringement of Industrial Property Rights
Legal measures available against industrial property rights infringement typically include civil claims such as injunctions, claims for damages, restitution of unjust enrichment, and measures to restore business credibility. However, from the perspective of deterrence and…
For those considering patent applications, trademark registrations, or design registrations in Japan
When filing applications with the Japan Patent Office from abroad, it is necessary to do so through a Japanese patent attorney. We understand that finding a Japanese patent firm from overseas may not be straightforward….
Let’s Recognize the Value of Filing a Divisional Application! – Part 2
A divisional application allows you to shift the scope of your invention at any time, as long as you are within a permissible period for filing a divisional. In other words, you may broaden, reframe,…
Hague System and Filing Trends
This year marks exactly 100 years since the Hague Agreement was instituted in 1925. On November 6, 2025, a centenary symposium was held in The Hague, the Netherlands, hosted by the World Intellectual Property Organization…
Buzzwords and Distinctiveness
A news report says that a total of 30 terms that trended in 2025 have been nominated for this year’s “Buzzword of the Year” award. These nominated words reflect the social and economic climate, such…
“HALLOWEEN” and Trademarks
“HALLOWEEN”, the festival held every year on October 31, is now a household name. However, few people know that a large number of trademarks have been registered that include the word “Halloween”, whether written in…
In Japan today, the usefulness of divisional applications has greatly increased!
Part 1 In recent years, the number of divisional applications filed in Japan has been rising. This is believed to be because companies that are more likely to engage in litigation have begun to recognize…
Three-dimensional trademarks and trademark infringement
It has been reported in the news that a company located in Kyoto City was arrested for possessing a bag resembling the “Birkin” bag by French luxury brand Hermès in a store in the city…
Trademark registration at low cost
Would you like to register your trademark at low cost? Here is some advice for those who think that it must be expensive to consult with a patent attorney. Costs for trademark registration are divided…
Trademark “First-to-File Rule” in Japan
If you wish to expand your business into Japan, trademark protection is crucial. In Japan, as the “First-to-File Rule” applies to trademark registrations, you need to apply for your brand name or logo prior to…
The first trademark registration where Letter of Consent (LOC) was applied
Japan Patent Office announced that trademark registration was granted to a trademark application where Letter of Consent was applied. It is the first case of trademark registration since JPO revised the Japan Trademark Law and…
Speed of examinations by JPO
Japan Patent Office updated “The JPO Key Features”, showing the speed and quality of examinations on fiscal year 2023 as follows: The above information is quoted from “The JPO Key Features”. https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/news/keyfeatures/index.html JPO conducts accelerated…
JPO Status Report 2025
Japan Patent Office announced the release of the JPO Status Report 2025, a compilation of statistical information and policy outcomes from 2024. According to JPO, the total number of patent applications in 2024 is 306,855,…