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The automotive industry is currently undergoing a period of dramatic change.
Due to the rapid strengthening of environmental regulations on a global scale, the time is fast approaching when zero-carbon-emission electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) will become the global standard for automobiles of the future.
The trend towards gasoline engines being considered obsolete is one in which the development of motors and other power units is relatively easy, and because development can be achieved with just a storage battery such as a lithium-ion battery, it is expected that companies from other industries besides automobile manufacturers will enter the market.
Furthermore, research and development into AI (artificial intelligence), IoT (Internet of Things), and autonomous driving technology that utilizes big data is being promoted nationwide through collaboration between the public and private sectors, and global competition is only intensifying.
We have created this page in the hope that those in the automotive industry will learn about trademark registration methods that are suited to the automotive industry, which is at a historic turning point.
Regarding automobiles and their parts
When registering a motor vehicle in Japan, it is designated as Class 12 "Motor vehicles and their parts and accessories."
It is also possible to specify positive indications such as "hybrid vehicle," "plug-in electric vehicle," "fuel cell electric vehicle," "hydrogen vehicle," "self-driving vehicle," and "autonomous vehicle" as sub-concepts.
Most automobile parts, such as "automobile engines" and "automobile tires," fall into the same category as Class 12. However, there are some exceptions: "automobile engine parts" fall into Class 7, "automobile headlights" into Class 11, and "automobile floor mats" into Class 27.
About Autonomous Driving Systems
Of course, the names of autonomous driving systems, which are currently in the midst of a development race, are also eligible for trademark registration.
The computer programs and artificial intelligence that are the core of autonomous driving are considered to be within the scope of Class 9 "computer programs," and providing big data for autonomous driving to others would likely be designated as a service under Class 35 "collection, management, and analysis of information related to big data." Also, if testing or research on big data for others were to be conducted, it would likely be designated as Class 42 "testing or research on big data."
However, because this is currently a rapidly evolving field, the names of designated goods and services have not kept up with the pace, and there are very few cases in which "artificial intelligence" and "big data"-related applications have been accepted for examination.
In the field of goods and services where there are few cases of examination acceptance, we recommend that you actively indicate the goods and services. Although there is a possibility that a notice of rejection will be issued during the examination, you can obtain an appropriate scope of rights by responding to the examiner in charge.
IoT×AI Support Office, Startup and Co-Creation Support Office Information
”HARAKENZO more " We have established the "IoT x AI Support Office" with a group of experts who can assist with obtaining rights and utilizing IoT (Internet of Things) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. If you would like to obtain rights for electronic and electrified vehicles, autonomous driving systems, etc., please take a look.
We have also set up a "Startup/Co-Creation Support Office" that specializes in supporting venture companies. On the "Startup/Co-Creation Support Office" page, you can find out more about the fees that can be reduced or deferred for applicants who are venture companies of a certain size, as well as details about public subsidies that can be granted under certain conditions. Please take a look.