table of contents
Introduction
In recent years, other industries have also developed and entered pet-friendly products and services. In addition, consumers are not just purchasing basic pet supplies and keeping their pets, but are increasingly looking to improve the quality of their lives through pets.
Furthermore, in general, there seems to be a strong tendency for people to choose products with a "brand" in mind when it comes to pets and their personal items. In this situation, it is important to brand pet products to differentiate them and beat the competition.
In fact, trademarks related to pets are applied for in various categories of goods and services. At our firm, we would like to help our customers with their business in the field of intellectual property.
Selection of classification
When applying for a trademark related to pets, you need to select which category to apply for. Trademarks are classified into classes 1 to 45 depending on the goods and services they represent.Classes 1 to 34 are classified as goods, and classes 35 to 45 are classified as services. is.
When filing a trademark application, care must be taken to ensure that the goods or services using the trademark are covered by the appropriate classification.
Pets are not only sold live, but also consume pet food and supplies, and receive beauty and medical services. Therefore, there are a wide range of classifications for trademarks related to pets.
Next, we will introduce the categories related to typical pets.
Pet products (Category 1 to Category XNUMX)
<Sales of animals, fish, birds, and insects>
The sale of living pets falls under Category 31. Specifically, in similar group code XNUMXDXNUMX, designated products include beasts, pet animals, dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, pet birds, and ornamental fish.
<Pet food>
Pet food and feed are assigned the similar group code 31B33 of Class 01.
Designated products vary depending on the type of pet and the ingredients, so care must be taken when selecting. For example, they vary depending on the type of pet (dog, cat, rabbit, etc.), and also depending on the ingredients (chicken fillet, corn, salmon, etc.). Furthermore, designated products are broadly categorized by the type of feed, such as pet gum, pet milk, and pet drinks.
<About pet personal items>
Please note that each product is divided into detailed categories. The most representative ones can be divided into a wide variety of categories as follows.
●Category 3: Pet cleaning agents, deodorants, etc.
●Category 5 Drugs for pet animals, supplements, vitamins, etc.
●Category 8 Pet nail clippers
●Category 9 Pet-related equipment such as radio wave transmitting and receiving equipment for pet search
●Class 18 Clothing for pet animals
●Category 20 Pet huts, etc.
●Class 21 Bird cage
●Class 28 Pet toys
Pet services (classes 35 to 45)
When opening a pet shop, it is necessary to register not only for pet-related products, but also for pet-related services.
<About pet-related services>
●Class 35
Services such as retailing of products in so-called pet shops are specified in Class 35 (e.g. "Providing benefits to customers in the retail or wholesale business of pet animal feed" (similar group code: 35K11)
Additionally, the similar group code 35B01 has been given to "Provision of information regarding the purchase and sale of pet animals." Note that if you file an application specifying a wide range of retail services in Category 35, the Patent Office may notify you of reasons for refusal such as ``There is doubt whether the product is actually being used or is planned to be used.'' It will be. All of these can be resolved without any problems if you deal with them properly, so it is important not to give up easily even if you are notified of the reasons for refusal.
●Class 41
Regarding pets, we offer ``pet training, animal exhibitions, planning, operation, and holding of pet shows, holding seminars on the care and nursing of pet animals, animal hygiene nurses, animal beauticians, domestic dog trainers, This includes implementation of qualification examinations and certification of qualifications for veterinary health nurse qualifications.
<Services involving pets>
●Category 39 Travel planning with pets
●Category 43: Provision of accommodation facilities such as pet hotels, temporary storage, and services where pets and people can eat and drink together.
●Class 44: Medical and beauty services for pets
●Chapter 45 Pet care, pet funerals, and assistance in finding lost pets
Research
Trademarks are registered at the Japan Patent Office in Japan, but registration may be refused depending on, for example, whether there is a prior trademark. To prevent this, it is effective to conduct a trademark search before filing. Additionally, mistakes in classification or selection of products (services) may make it impossible to secure the appropriate scope of rights, which may lead to trouble.
When selling a wide range of pet personal items, it is necessary to comprehensively specify the products and secure a broader range of rights. Furthermore, as costs increase as the number of categories increases, strategic selection of categories is important.
Furthermore, even if the products do not appear similar at first glance, there are many products that are presumed to be similar across categories. For example, pet clothing, toys, cushions, and brushes are assigned the same similar group code even if they are in different categories, and in principle they are presumed to be similar to each other, so care must be taken when conducting trademark searches.
Registration abroad
Additionally, if you manufacture, sell, or import or export pet-related products overseas, you will need to apply to each country's patent office or register your trademark in each country using the international registration system. For more informationCategories of foreign trademark systems .
”HARAKENZO more ” supports everyone in the pet industry.
The environment surrounding pets continues to change.
For example, while sales of pet food and supplies have reached a plateau, we are in a period of change, with demand for improved pet products and services that express individual lifestyles. In order to brand a product in response to these consumer needs, it is first necessary to investigate whether it infringes on previous trademarks, and then register the trademark to protect the brand and prevent imitations. It is important to prevent copyright infringement by products.
”HARAKENZO more " In response to the various changes in the pet industry, we would like to help everyone in the pet industry protect their intellectual property through trademark registration. First of all, please feel free to consult with us.
Information about the Startup/Co-Creation Support Office
”HARAKENZO more " We have established a "Startup and Co-Creation Support Office" that specializes in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. On the "Startup/Co-Creation Support Office" page, we also provide detailed information on intellectual property strategy measures, including brand strategy measures. Please take a look.