カテゴリー: Trademark Registration

End of the TOKYO 2020 Olympic emblem dispute

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On March 12, 2025, the Japan IP High Court handed down a decision regarding the validity of TM Reg no. 6008759 for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Emblem owned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
[Court case no. Reiwa6(Gyo-ke)10057]

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Emblem

The official emblem of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was scrapped in 2016 (see below left) and replaced with the new emblem (see below right) before the opening of the Olympics, as you recall.

Even after the Games closed without spectators in 2021, a year after originally scheduled to due to a global pandemic, the new official emblem was to face with another challenge at the Japan Patent Office (JPO) in 2022.

The contested new emblem was filed by the IOC for use on all goods and services in every class from 1 to 45 with the JPO on April 25, 2016. In the course of substantive examination, the mark was assigned to the Tokyo Olympic Committee (TOC). Subsequently, the JPO granted registration on December 7, 2017 (TM Reg no. 6008759). Upon the Olympic Games finalizing, it was re-assigned to the IOC in December 2021.

Invalidation action

A group of Japanese legal experts filed an application for a declaration of invalidity against the new Tokyo 2020 Olympic Emblem with the JPO on June 21, 2022. They claimed that the emblem should be invalidated in contravention of Article 4(1)(vi), (vii), (x) and (xix) of the Japan Trademark Law.

The experts argued, inter alia, that the IOC failed to comply with Article 31(1) of the Trademark Law, which prohibits the licensing of a trademark registration to a third party given the mark was registered subject to Article 4(2).

Article 4(2) provides an exception to allow the registration of a trademark applied for by a non-profit organization engaged in activities in the public interest, even if the trademark is unregistrable under Article 4(1)(vi).

In this respect, the experts considered it illegal that the IOC granted a trademark license to the TOC, other organizers and sponsors. In fact, under the license, the TOC sent C&D letters based on TM Reg no. 6008759 to entities seeking to benefit from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in order to prevent ambush marketing.

In these circumstances, the contested mark should be declared invalid in contravention of Article 4(1)(vii) because the IOC had a bad faith intent to unjustifiably protect the profits of official sponsors without legal basis by harming the interests of other entities.

It should be noted that Article 31(1) was revised in 2019, one year after the registration of the contested mark. Now, the prohibition to license the registered mark under Article 4(2) no longer exists.

IP High Court decision

In its ruling, the IP High Court acknowledged the need to restrict ambush marketing, which deliberately attempts to persuade or mislead consumers into believing they are associated with a sporting mega-event, or to use their IP without permission.

The Court found that since the elimination of the restriction on granting a license for a mark registered under Article 4(2) came into effect immediately after the promulgation of the Trademark Law Revision in 2019, it would rather serve to promote the appropriate use of the famous trademark for the public interest and satisfy the intention behind the law.

Therefore, even if the IOC had licensed the contested mark to the TOC and official sponsors in order to prevent ambush marketing, it would be irrelevant to find that the contested mark should be invalidated in contravention of Article 4(1)(vii) due to the likelihood of causing damage to public order or morality.

JPO Status Report 2025

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According to “JPO Status Report 2025” released on March 24, 2025, by the Japan Patent Office (JPO), a total of 158,792 trademark applications were filed in 2024. This number decreased 3.2% compared to the previous year when the number of applications amounted to 164,061.

Pfizer Inc. remains a top-ranking foreign registrant for the fifth year in a row. NEOPLE Inc, a Korean video game developer, was ranked in 8th (47 registrations) in 2024, a drastic increase from the previous year, when it was ranked in 2559th.

Requests for accelerated examination increased to 8,138 by 8.0% in 2024, which enables applicants to obtain trademark registration within 2 months.

As a background, it should be noted that the entire trademark process for general examination at the JPO (the total time of application from filing to registration) takes 7.3 months on average, which gets 0.4 months longer than the previous year.

You can access and download the full text of “JPO Status Report 2025” from here.

Top 10 Trademark News in Japan, 2024

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As the year 2024 comes to an end, it is a good time to share the top 10 trademark news in Japan by counting the total number of likes on the Linkedin “Like” Button.

1: Japan IP High Court said No to registering the color of Hermes packaging

The Japan IP High Court ruled to dismiss Herme’s appeal against the JPO decision that rejected Hermes packaging color due to a lack of inherent and acquired distinctiveness.

Japan IP High Court said No to registering the color of Hermes packaging.

2: Can a ‘Letter of Consent’ guarantee successful trademark registration in Japan?

The revised Japan Trademark Law will come into effect on April 1, 2024, introducing the “Letter of Consent” as a means to overcome conflicts with earlier trademark registrations.

Can a ‘Letter of Consent’ guarantee successful trademark registration in Japan?

3: COCO vs. KOKO

In a recent administrative decision, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) found that the trademarks “CoCo” and “koko” are dissimilar and unlikely to cause confusion.

COCO vs. KOKO

4: CHANEL defeated in Trademark Opposition against “COCOCHI”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) handed a loss to Chanel SARL in trademark opposition against TM Reg no. 6674710 for the “COCOCHI” mark by finding unlikelihood of confusion with “COCO”.

CHANEL defeated in Trademark Opposition against “COCOCHI”

5: ZARA Unsuccessful Opposition against TM “LAZARA”

On April 22, 2024, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismissed an opposition filed by Industria de Diseño Textil, SA (INDITEX), owner of the fashion brand “ZARA”, against TM Reg no. 6699667 for word mark “LAZARA” in classes 25 due to dissimilar marks and unlikelihood of confusion with “ZARA”.

ZARA Unsuccessful Opposition against TM “LAZARA”

6: CHANEL Lost in Trademark opposition against “COCOBABY”

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) did not side with CHANEL in an opposition against TM Reg no. 6650252 for wordmark “COCOBABY” in class 25 by finding dissimilarity of mark between “COCOBABY” and “COCO”.

CHANEL Lost in Trademark opposition against “COCOBABY”

7: Trademark Dispute: Chateau Mouton Rothschild vs MOUTON

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) declared invalidation of TM Reg no. 6090508 for wordmark “MOUTON” in classes 35 and 43 due to a likelihood of confusion with famous mark “Mouton” as a source indicator of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, one of the most famous wine estates in the world.

Trademark Dispute: Chateau Mouton Rothschild vs MOUTON

8: Hermes Victory with Invalidating Birkin Lookalike Design

The Japan IP High Court has ruled in favor of Hermes in a dispute over the validity of Design Reg no. 1606558 by finding a likelihood of confusion with Hermes.

Hermes Victory with Invalidating Birkin Lookalike Design

9: Trademark dispute: VALENTINO GARAVANI vs GIANNI VALENTINO

In a trademark opposition claimed by Valentino S.p.A. against TM Reg no. 6550051 for the GIANNI VALENTINO mark, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) decided to cancel the registration due to a conflict with earlier IR no. 975800 for the VALENTINO GARAVANI mark.

Trademark dispute: VALENTINO GARAVANI vs GIANNI VALENTINO

10: Japan IP High Court gives Green Light to 3D “Godzilla” shape as Trademark

On October 30, 2024, the Japan IP High Court disaffirmed the administrative decision by the Japan Patent Office (JPO) not to register the 3D shape of the eponymous character from the film “Shin Godzilla” as a trademark.

Japan IP High Court gives Green Light to 3D “Godzilla” shape as Trademark

Trademark dispute: UNITED vs UNITED GOLD

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In a dispute over the similarity of the marks “UNITED” and “UNITED GOLD” in connection with apparel, the Japan IP High Court upheld the JPO decision and found that both marks were dissimilar.
[Court case no. Reiwa6(Gyo-ke)10066, decided on December 10, 2024]

UNITED GOLD

Nishitomi Shoji Co., Ltd. filed a trademark application with the Japan Patent Office (JPO) on January 17, 2022 for the word mark “UNITED GOLD” in standard character for use on apparel in class 25 and retail services for apparel in class 35.

The applicant promotes men’s suits bearing the applied mark via internet.

https://unitedgold.jp/

In accordance with a request for accelerated examination from the applicant based on the actual use of the mark on any one of the designated goods and services, the JPO carried out a substantive examination and registered the mark on March 25, 2022 [TM Reg No. 6534957].

Invalidation action

On December 15, 2023, Howard Corporation, an owner of earlier TM Reg no. 2053119 “UNITED” in class 25, filed an application for a declaration of invalidity against the mark “UNITED GOLD” with the JPO in contravention of Article 4(1)(xi) of the Japan Trademark Law due to its similarity to earlier trademark “UNITED”.

https://www.haward.co.jp/united.html

However, the JPO Invalidation Board found “UNITED GOLD” to be dissimilar to “UNITED” and therefore dismissed the invalidation action on June 17, 2024 [Invalidation Case No. 2023-890089].

To challenge the JPO decision, Howard filed an appeal with the IP High Court on July 10, 2024, claiming that the JPO erred in finding that the contested mark “UNITED GOLD” should be assessed in its entirety.

In the compliant, Howard argued that the term “GOLD” has a low degree of distinctiveness in relation to the goods and services in question. On the other hand, the term “UNITED” is highly distinctive because of its meaning. If so, the term “UNITED” plays a dominant role in identifying a source of the contested mark

IP High Court ruling

The IP High Court, at the outset, referred to the Supreme Court ruling in 2008 which established the criterion to grasp a composite mark in its entirety in the assessment of similarity of the mark.

“Where a mark in dispute is recognized as a composite mark consisting of two elements or more, it is not permissible to assess the similarity of mark simply by means of taking out an element of the composite mark and then comparing such element with the other mark, unless consumers or traders are likely to perceive the element as a dominant portion indicating its source of origin of goods/service, or remaining elements truly lack inherent distinctiveness as a source indicator in view of sound and concept.”

Based on the criteria, the court found that contested mark shall be assessed in its entirety on the following grounds:

  1. From appearance and meaning, there is no reasonable ground to find “UNITED” and “GOLD” shall be recognized individual and separable.
  2. In conjunction with clothing of class 25, more than 150 trademarks that contain the term “UNITED”, e.g. “UNITED ARROWS”, “UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON”, “UNITED TOKYO”, “UNITED DOORS”, are registered with the JPO in the name of third party. These facts suggest that the term “UNITED” is also lowly distinctive in relation to apparel.
  3. Even if there are actual examples in which the term ‘GOLD’, when combined with another distinctive term, implies a high quality of the goods, it would be anything but convincing to find that the term ‘UNITED’ plays a dominant role in identifying the goods and services bearing the contested mark, given that, as stated above, the term ‘UNITED’ has a low degree of distinctiveness.

Based on the foregoing, the judges concluded that the JPO did neither err in comparing both marks as a whole nor applying Article 4(1)(xi).

Japan IP High Court gives Green Light to 3D “Godzilla” shape as Trademark

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On October 30, 2024, the Japan IP High Court disaffirmed the administrative decision by the Japan Patent Office (JPO) not to register the 3D shape of the eponymous character from the film “Shin Godzilla” as a trademark.
[Judicial case no. Riewa6(Gyo-ke)10047]

GODZILLA

Godzilla, a science-fiction monster spawned from the waste of nuclear tests that resembles an enormous bipedal lizard was released in Japanese film in 1954. The character has since become an international pop culture icon. After the original 1954 cinematic masterpiece, Godzilla has appeared in more than 30 films spanning seven decades and several eras produced by Toho Co., Ltd.

https://godzilla.com/blogs/movies

On July 29, 2016, the film “Shin Godzilla (Godzilla Resurgence)” produced by Toho was theatrically released as a 31st film of Godzilla trilogy. The film grossed $79 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing live-action Japanese film of 2016. It received 11 Japan Academy Prize nominations and won seven, including Picture of the Year and Director of the Year.

https://godzilla.com/blogs/movies

Toho Co. filed a trademark application with the JPO for the 3D shape of Godzilla’s fourth form in the film “Shin Godzilla”, the final evolutionary form of the character appearing in the film, as a trademark for use in stuffed toys, figures, dolls and toys of class 28 on September 29, 2020 (TM App no. 2020-120003).

The JPO examiner, however, rejected the 3D mark based on Article 3(1)(iii) of the Trademark Law due to a lack of distinctiveness in relation to the goods. The JPO Appeal Board also dismissed an appeal on the same ground and held that the 3D shape has not acquired distinctiveness because of insufficient use of the 3D mark in relation to the goods in question (Appeal case no. 2021-11555).

On May 10, 2024, Toho filed an appeal to the IP High Court and called for the JPO decision to be revoked.

IP High Court decision

The IP High Court affirmed the findings of the JPO to reject the 3D shape due to a lack of inherent distinctiveness in relation to the goods in question.

In the meantime, the court found that the JPO errored in applying Article 3(2) and assessing the acquired distinctiveness of the 3D mark by stating that:

  1. Toho has produced and distributed 30 films in the “Godzilla” series over a 69-year period from 1954 to 2023, and although the shape of the “Godzilla” character in these films changed slightly, the basic shape of the character was largely the same, and the form of the Godzilla character with its countless folds and complex rocklike texture is distinctive among other monster characters of the same type.
  2. The applied mark represents the 3D shape of Godzilla’s fourth form in the film “Shin Godzilla”, the final evolutionary form of the character appearing in the film. It has the same features with the monster appeared in the previous “Godzilla” films. It is obvious that the basic shape of the “Godzilla” character has been widely recognized among general public to indicate a monster character produced by Toho even before the release of the film “Shin Godzilla”.
  3. Even if the term “use” under Article 3(2) of the Trademark Law should be limited to actual use of a sign strictly identical with the applied mark, in determining whether a consumer has come to “recognize the goods bearing the applied mark to indicate a specific source” under the article, it should be reasonable or rather necessary to consider the influence of the entire “Godzilla” films including “Shin Godzilla” on consumers’ recognition to the applied 3D mark.
  4. The interview conducted in September, 2021, targeting 1,000 interviewees of men and women aged 15 to 69 nationwide, showed an extremely high level of recognition, namely, 64.4% answered “Godzilla” or “Shin Godzilla” to the open-ended responses (70.8% among men).

Chrysler Wins Japan Trademark Invalidation Trial over “Jeeper”

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In a recent invalidation decision by the Japan Patent Office (JPO), Chrysler could finally achieve victory in a trademark dispute against “Jeeper”, regardless of their failed opposition in 2022.

[Invalidation case no. 2022-890064, decided on July 5, 2023]

Disputed mark

The wordmark “Jeeper” was filed by a Japanese individual for use on various hand tools in class 8 with the JPO on January 27, 2020 (TM App no. 2020-8907).

Since the JPO admitted registration of the mark on November 17, 2020, and published it for a post-grant opposition on December 8, 2020, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA US) LLC filed an opposition on Jan 26, 2021.

In the opposition, FCA argued the mark shall be canceled in contravention of Article 4(1)(xi) and (xv) of the Trademark Law due to the remarkable reputation and popularity of “JEEP” as a source indicator of Chrysler vehicles and a high degree of similarity between the mark “Jeeper” and Chrysler “JEEP.”

Article 4(1)(xi) is a provision to refrain from registering a junior mark that is deemed identical with, or similar to, an earlier registered mark.

Article 4(1)(xv) provides that a mark shall not be registered where it is likely to cause confusion with other business entities’ well-known goods or services.

However, on April 6, 2022, the JPO Opposition Board dismissed the opposition by questioning the famousness of the “JEEP” mark among relevant consumers of hand tools and finding a low degree of similarity between the two marks (Opposition case no. 2021-900035).

Invalidation action by FCA US LLC

To contest the Opposition Board decision, FCA US LLC filed an invalidation action with the JPO on July 28, 2022, and repeatedly argued the mark “Jeeper” shall be invalid due to its similarity to and the likelihood of confusion with “JEEP” when used on the hand tools in class 8.

The applicant did neither file an answer nor respond to the invalidation claims at all.

JPO Decision

The JPO Trial Board admitted a high degree of reputation and recognition of the claimant’s trademark “JEEP” in connection with small 4WD cars. Besides, based on the facts that the JEEP mark has been used on T-shirts, backpacks, bags, mugs, lunch boxes, carabiners, key chains, spray bottles, containers, and cooler boxes, the Board found the JEEP mark has even become famous among consumers of goods other than automobiles.

Based on the above findings, the Board held that, by taking account of the famousness of the JEEP mark as a source indicator of the claimant’s small 4WD cars, the literal portion of “Jeep” shall play a prominent role in indicating the source of the disputed mark. If so, the disputed mark gives rise to the sound of “Jeep” and the meaning of “the claimant’s famous small 4WD cars” accordingly.

Bearing this in mind, the Board compared the prominent portion “Jeep” of the disputed mark with the claimant’s mark “JEEP” and found a close resemblance of both marks as a whole.

In assessing the likelihood of confusion, the Board held small 4WD cars are remotely associated with hand tools in class 8, however, the Board paid attention to the fact that camp items bearing the JEEP mark e.g., backpacks, mugs, carabiners, cooler boxes, etc., are closely associated with the goods in question.

Based on the foregoing, the Board found relevant consumers are likely to confuse a source of the goods in question bearing the disputed mark with the claimant and decided to invalidate the disputed mark based on Article 4(1)(xi) and (xv).

CASIO Successful in Registering 3D Shape of “G-SHOCK” Watch

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The Japan Patent Office (JPO) disaffirmed the examiner’s rejection and granted protection to the 3D shape of the Casio “G-Shock” watch by finding acquired distinctiveness as a result of substantial use over the past four decades.

[Appeal case no. 20212-11052, Gazette issued date: June 30, 2023]

CASIO “G-SHOCK” Watch

On April 28, 2021, Casio Computer Co., Ltd. filed a trademark application for the 3D shape of the first-released G-Shock, the DW-5000 (see below) to be used on ‘watches’ in class 14 with the JPO (TM application no. 2021-52961).

Rejection by JPO Examiner

On April 11, 2022, the JPO examiner rejected the 3D mark based on Article 3(1)(iii) of the Japan Trademark Law.

In the rejection, taking into consideration various decorations or patterns on the belt and case of wristwatches by other watchmakers (see below), the examiner considered the 3D shape of the applied mark lacks distinctiveness as a source indicator of wristwatch because relevant consumers and traders would recognize it simply represents a common shape of wristwatch adopted to enhance aesthetic function and psychological effect on the goods in question.

The examiner negated the acquired distinctiveness of the 3D shape of “G-Shock”, the DW-5000 regardless of continuous use on Casio’s wristwatches for 40 years on the grounds that:

  1. On the goods, catalogs, and advertisements, wordmarks “CASIO” and “G-SHOCK” have been constantly used as well.
  2. The “G-Shock” wristwatch collection has a lot of models that have a different appearance from the applied 3D shape.
  3. The market research that targeted a total of 1,100 men and women aged over 16 resulted in 55.52% of the interviewees answering “Casio” or “G-Shock” to an open-ended question when shown the 3D shape of the DW-5000. The percentage is insufficient to admit the 3D shape per se has acquired distinctiveness as a source indicator.
A screen shot from casio.com

On July 15, 2022, Casio filed an appeal against the rejection and disputed the acquired distinctiveness.

JPO Appeal Board decision

The Appeal Board affirmed the examiner’s finding in applying Article 3(1)(iii) of the Trademark Law.

In the meantime, the Board paid attention to the fact 66.27% of the interviewees selected “Casio” or “G-Shock” to a closed-ended question, where it mentions G-Shock along with other close competitors.

Provided that more than 60% of consumers associate the 3D shape with Casio or G-Shock, and the shape has the reputation as a representative model of the G-Shock with its unique shock-resistance form, the Board has a reason to believe the 3D shape per se has acquired a substantial degree of recognition among relevant consumers and played a role in source indicator of Casio’s wristwatches. If so, the examiner errored in applying Article 3(2) of the Trademark Law.

Based on the foregoing, the Board decided to cancel the examiner’s rejection and admitted registration of the applied mark exceptionally based on Article 3(2).

Hermes Wins Birkin & Kelly Bag’s 3D Trademark Infringement Lawsuit

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On March 9, 2023, the Tokyo District Court awarded HERMES INTERNATIONAL JPY5,640,112 for infringement of its trademark right pertinent to the 3D shape of the Birkin bag and Kelly bag.

[Judicial case no. Tokyo District Court – Reiwa3(wa)22287]

3D mark of Hermès Birkin and Kelly Bag

HERMES INTERNATIONAL, a French luxury fashion house, has owned Japanese trademark registration no. 5438059 for the 3D shape of the “Birkin” bag and no. 5438058 for the “Kelly” bag in connection with handbags (class 25) since 2011 by successfully demonstrating acquired secondary meaning as a specific source indicator of Hermès’ luxury bags.

Birkin and Kelly Bag Imitations

Hermes sued NAO INTERNATIONAL Co., Ltd. at the Tokyo District Court for violating its trademark right and the unfair competition prevention law by allegedly selling 214 Birkin look-alike bags and 184 Kelly look-alike bags in Japan with a price tag of JPY2,270 (approx. USD20) at their brick-and-mortal shops and online shop from December 20, 2019, to February 13, 2021.

Court decision

The Tokyo District Court found that the defendant’s bags respectively resemble 3D marks representing Hermès Birkin and Kelly Bag in an appearance on the ground that the defendant’s bags contain a basic and unique configuration enabling to distinguish Hermès Birkin and Kelly Bag from others. A difference in details is trivial and would not give rise to a distinctive impression in the mind of consumers.

Taking into consideration the fact that both bags are promoted for sale at the department store, the court has a reason to believe relevant consumers are likely to confuse the source of the defendant’s bags with Hermes.

Even though there is a severe price gap between the Hermes bag and the defendant bag, bearing in mind that authentic second-hand Hermès handbags are sold relatively at low prices, such a price gap would be anything but sufficient to negate the likelihood of confusion.

The court measured damages to recover (i) the defendant’s actual profits of infringing bags (JPY5,150,140) by reducing 20% (not attributable to goodwill on Hermès bags) for JPY4,120,112, (ii) “mental suffering” caused by an infringement for JPY1,000,000, and (iii) reasonable attorney fee for JPY520,000.

To read a full text of the Tokyo District Court decision (Japanese only), click here.

Warner Defeated in Trademark Opposition over TWEETY

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The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismissed an opposition filed by Warner Bros against Japanese trademark registration no. 6452448 for the TWETYBIRD mark with a device by finding dissimilarity to and less likelihood of confusion with “Tweety”, a yellow canary bird, featured in the Warner Bros Looney Tunes animated cartoons.

[Opposition case no. 2021-900459, Decision date: October 26, 2022]

Japan TM Reg no. 6452448

The opposed mark, consisting of the word “TWETYBIRD” and an encircled “B” device (see below), was filed by a Chinese company for use on various goods in classes 3,9,14,18,25, and advertising and other services in class 35 on December 16, 2020.

The JPO granted protection on August 25, 2021, and the mark was published for opposition on October 26, 2021.

Opposition by Warner Bros

On December 27, 2021, before the lapse of a two-month opposition period, Warner Brothers Entertainment Incorporated filed an opposition with the JPO, and argued the opposed mark shall be canceled in contravention of Article 4(1)(vii), (xi), (xv) and (xix) of the Japan Trademark Law by citing earlier trademark registrations for the mark “Tweety”, a yellow canary bird (see below) featured in the Looney Tunes animated cartoons.

Warner Bros alleged that the cited marks have been remarkably famous for the title of the animated cartoons or the name of the cartoon character produced by Warner Bros. In view of the close resemblance between the famous mark “Tweety” and a literal element “Twety” of the opposed mark, it shall be considered the opposed mark is similar to and likely to cause confusion with the opposed mark when used on the goods and service in question.

JPO decision

The JPO Opposition Board admitted a certain degree of reputation and popularity of the cited marks to indicate a cartoon character. However, the Board questioned such popularity as a source indicator of Warner Bros from the totality of the circumstances and the produced evidence.

Besides, the Board found the literal element “TWETYBIRD” of the opposed mark shall be assessed in its entirety from the visual configuration. If so, the opposed mark would not give rise to a similar sound and meaning to “Tweety”. Therefore, the Board has a reason to believe that relevant consumers are unlikely to confuse a source of the goods and services in question bearing the opposed mark with Warner Bros due to a low degree of similarity between marks and reputation of the cited marks as a source indicator of Warner Bros.

In the decision, the Board mentioned it is doubtful if relevant consumers acquaint themselves with “Tweety Bird” as the full name of “Tweety”. If so, there is no reasonable ground to find the opposed mark violates morality or public order.

Based on the foregoing, the Board found the opposed mark shall not be canceled in contravention of Article 4(1)(vii), (xi), (xv), and (xix) and dismissed the opposition entirely.

Failed Opposition by Chanel over Monogram

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The Japan Patent Office (JPO) dismissed a trademark opposition filed by Chanel against TM Reg no. 6351256 for a composite mark containing a device made of two inverted and interlocked “C” by finding dissimilarity to and the unlikelihood of confusion with Chanel’s monogram.

[Opposition case no. 2021-900169, Decision date: September 30, 2022]

Opposed mark

The opposed mark consists of the words “MUSIC BAR” and “CHAYA”, and a device made of two inverted and interlocked “C” (see below).

HIC Co., Ltd. filed the opposed mark for use on restaurant service in class 43 on August 27, 2020, with the JPO. The examiner granted protection on January 19, 2022, and published for opposition on February 10, 2021.

Opposition by Chanel

Chanel filed an opposition on April 30 and argued the opposed mark shall be canceled in contravention of Article 4(1)(xi), (xv), and (xix) of the Japan Trademark Law by citing earlier trademark registrations for Chanel’s monogram on the ground that:

  1. The figurative element of the opposed mark is similar to the prestigious Chanel’s monogram made of two inverted “c” displayed as an ellipse in its central point (see below).
  2. Given the remarkable degree of popularity and reputation of Chanel’s monogram, relevant consumers with ordinary care are likely to confuse a source of the service in question bearing the opposed mark with CHANEL.
  3. Applicant must have applied the opposed mark, confusingly similar to Chanel’s monogram with an unfair intention to take advantage of the reputation and goodwill associated with Chanel’s famous trademark.

JPO Decision

The JPO Opposition Board admitted that Chanel’s monogram has acquired a high degree of reputation among relevant consumers of the service in question. Allegedly, CHANEL spent more than 5 billion JP-Yen on advertising in Japan each year since 2014. Annual sales revenue exceeds 50 billion JP-Yen. Jewelry accounts for 3 billion JP-Yen of the revenue.

In the meantime, the JPO denied visual similarity between the figurative element of the opposed mark and the monogram by stating:

“They share a similarity in that they are both figures with two “C”-shaped curves placed back-to-back on the left and right sides so that parts of the curves overlap. However, in addition to differences in the way the “C”-shaped curves are represented (whether the thickness varies or is uniform and whether the opening is wide or narrow), there are also differences in the way the entire composition is represented, such as asymmetrical and symmetrical figures, vertical figures with two deeply overlapping curves and horizontal figures with two shallowly overlapping curves. Furthermore, the overall impression of the composition is clearly different in terms of asymmetrical and symmetrical figures, vertical figures with two curves deeply superimposed and horizontal figures with two curves shallowly superimposed. Therefore, there is no likelihood of confusion in terms of appearance.”

Obviously, there is no likelihood of confusion in terms of appearance and conception. Therefore, taking account of the impression, memory, and association given to traders and consumers by means of the appearance, concept, and pronunciation of two marks as a whole, the Board has a reason to believe that two marks are dissimilar and there is no likelihood of confusion.

Based on the foregoing, the Board dismissed the entire allegations of Chanel and allowed the opposed mark to register as the status quo.