PATENTS
Patents/utility models
August Issue [General] Newsletter Standard Strategy Response Review (Trial) In order to appropriately monetize intellectual property as a result of research and development and turn it into "earning power," and to achieve both market acquisition and market expansion, it is effective to appropriately promote the integrated use of standardization and intellectual property by combining research and development with secrecy, rights acquisition (patents, etc.), and standardization.
August Issue [Legal Affairs] Newsletter Summary of WIPO Notification Regarding UK's Ratification of the Madrid Protocol to Jersey On May 12, 2026, the British government deposited with WIPO a declaration extending its ratification of the Madrid Protocol to the Jersey jurisdiction. This extension will take effect on August 1, 2026. From that date onward, the UK's designated
This article explains the three eligibility requirements for expedited trademark examination, application methods and fees, evidence of use, examination period, ineligible applications, and points to note when using a trademark, based on the current procedures of the Japan Patent Office after the October 2025 revision. Even after filing a trademark registration application, trademark rights do not immediately arise. Registration decisions must be made after examination by the Japan Patent Office.
Supervised by Patent Attorney Hiroshi Moriyama: When considering trademark registration, it is important to search for identical or similar prior trademarks before filing an application. If a candidate name is already registered, not only may your trademark application be rejected, but using that name for goods or services may infringe on the trademark rights of others.
The necessity of obtaining trademark rights overseas Trademark rights, in principle, arise on a country-by-country basis, and their effect is limited to the country or region where they are registered. Even if a trademark is registered in Japan, that right is not automatically recognized overseas in the United States, China, Europe, ASEAN countries, etc. Therefore, the necessity of obtaining trademark rights overseas
Supervised by Patent Attorney Hiroshi Moriyama You may sometimes see symbols such as "TM," "™," "SM," "℠," and "® (R in a circle)" in the upper right corner of product names or company logos. These are generally called trademark marks, but their meanings and legal status are not the same. In conclusion, the TM mark is the name
Supervised by Patent Attorney Tomoharu Ishiguro: Product names, service names, company logos, characters, and sounds used in commercials can be registered as trademarks if they meet certain requirements. Regardless of the business field, such as sporting goods, clothing, games, food and beverage services, and online services, properly protecting the names and marks of products and services is essential for protecting your brand.
Supervised by Patent Attorney Toshimitsu Hatakeyama What is a trademark? A trademark is a mark used by a business to distinguish its own goods or services from those of other companies. Generally, trademarks include product names, service names, company names, brand names, logos, marks, symbols, and designs. For example