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…
Trademarks
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…
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…
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…