recent developments of trademark law in japan ~introduction of registration for non-traditional...
TRANSCRIPT
Recent Developmentsof Trademark Law in Japan
~Introduction of registration for non-traditional marks~
Tomoya KurokawaSOEI Patent and Law Firm
AIPLA-JPAA
Pre-Meeting
October 21, 2014
Contents
1. Definition of “trademark” under the law
2. Examples of possible registration for non-traditional trademark
3. How to file non-traditional trademark
4. Effective date of the amended law
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“Trademark” under the current law
A “trademark” is:
“any characters, figures, signs or three-dimensional shapes,
or any combination thereof,
or any combination thereof with colors.”
Color → No Sound → No Motion → No
Hologram → No Position → No Texture → No
Taste → No Fragrance → No
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“Trademark” under the amended lawA “trademark” is:
(1) recognizable by human perception, and comprises,
(2) (i) characters, figures, signs, three-dimensional shapes or colors, or
(ii) any combination thereof, or
(iii) sounds, or
(iv) other matters which designated by Cabinet Order.
Color → Yes Sound → Yes Motion → Yes
Hologram → Yes Position → Yes Texture → No
Taste → No Fragrance → No 4
Possible registrations ~ Colors~
CTM Reg. 5978283
Deutsche Post
Class 39 “Transportation”
Actual Use:
Quoted from their Website
CTM Reg. 3793361
Mars Petcare UK
Class 31 “Foodstuffs for cats” etc.
Actual Use:
Quoted from their Website
Color itself is NOT inherently distinctive. So, applicant has to prove its secondary meaning based on extensive use of the color(s) for specific products.5
Possible registrations ~ Sounds~
Sounds which goods usually generate are NOT distinctive.
ex.) engine starter sound for vehicle engine
US Reg. 2442140
Yahoo!
Class 42 “Computer services” etc.
Sound of a human voice yodeling "YAHOO".
US Reg. 4361853
Samsung Electronics
Class 9 “Mobile telephones” etc.
Sound of a bell playing a B4 dotted eighth note, a B4 sixteenth note, an F#5 sixteenth note, a B5
sixteenth note, an A#5 eighth note, and an F#5 half note.
Music is NOT distinctive.
ex.) classical music, pop music6
Possible registrations ~ Motions ~
Characters, figures, signs, three-dimensional shapes or colors constituting a mark must alter with time.
CTM Reg. 1864610
Berggren
Class 41 “Education” etc.
US Reg. 2442140
Twentieth Century Fox Film
Class 9 “Motion picture films” etc.
AllowedNot
allowed
Allowed
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Possible registrations ~ Holograms ~
Characters, figures, signs, three-dimensional shapes or colors constituting a mark must alter due to visual effects.
KR Reg. 4009318260000
Give&Take system
Class 14 “Leather watch band” etc.
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Possible registrations ~ Position ~
If the portion described with solid line does NOT have distinctiveness, the mark is NOT distinctive because position itself is NOT inherently distinctive. So, applicant has to prove its secondary meaning based on extensive use of the color(s) for specific products.
US Reg. 2363544
IBM
Class 9 “Cursor control device”
The mark consists of the color red used on the cursor control device
component of the goods.
US Reg. 2442140
Christian Louboutin
Class 25 “footwear”
The mark consists of a red lacquered outsole on footwear that contrasts
with the color of the adjoining ("upper") portion of the shoe.
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How to file non-traditional trademark
Trademark type• “Color mark”
Trademark (specimen)• ex)
Trademark description• ex) The trademark
consists of the color purple (pantone 248C).
Proof of acquired distinctiveness (may be filed later)
Color Mark Trademark type• “Sound mark”
Trademark (specimen)• Provide score, or
explanation of sounds if it is unavailable.
Audio file including sound mark
Sound Mark
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How to file non-traditional trademark
Trademark type• “Motion mark”
Trademark (specimen)• ex)
Trademark description• Explain elements of mark
and alteration of the elements with time.
Motion Mark Trademark type• “Hologram mark”
Trademark (specimen)• ex)
Trademark description• Explain elements of mark
and alteration of the elements due to visual effects.
Hologram Mark
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How to file non-traditional trademark
Trademark type• “Position mark”
Trademark (specimen)• ex)
Trademark description• ex) Explain elements of
mark and the position where the elements are attached.
Proof of acquired distinctiveness (may be filed later)
Position Mark
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Effective date of the amended law
Examination guideline for non-traditional mark:- is still under discussion- is expected to be finalized by December 2014
Effective date of the amended law:- must be no later than 14 May 2015- is expected sometime in April or May 2015
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