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Trademark Protection
Trademark Protection

Japan Trademark Registration

Protect Your Brand in Japan Through a Simple Process Backed by Certified Local Attorneys

Simple steps to register your trademark

STEP 1

Comprehensive Trademark Study

Before filing your trademark in Japan, you must evaluate any issues that may arise during the registration process. Our Comprehensive Trademark Study not only lists similar trademarks (graphic and phonetic) that may conflict with yours but also provides you with an Attorney's opinion on the trademark registration possibilities and the class(es) that your goods/services belong to.

  • Graphic and phonetic similarity trademark search report
  • Trademark attorney's analysis and advice
  • Trademark class recommendation
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STEP 2

Trademark Application Filing

Specialized attorneys will file your trademark application in Japan and carry out all the necessary formalities to bring your application for approval and registration. As soon as your trademark is filed, we will send you a filing report that will include the application number and application date. Also, we will send you a scanned copy of the filed application.

  • Process Handled by Experienced Trademark Attorneys
  • Filing the Report & a Scanned Copy of the application
  • Tracking the Registration Process Online
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STEP 3

Trademark Registration Certificate

Once your trademark application is approved, our attorneys complete all the formalities necessary to obtain the registration certificate in Japan. After the certificate is issued, it is forwarded to your address along with a registration report specifying the registration number, registration date, and any special consideration that should be taken into account in Japan.

  • Process Handled by Experienced Trademark Attorneys
  • Delivery of Registration Certificate & Report
  • Monitoring & Notification of Important Dates
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Additional Services in Japan

Discover how our services help protect and strengthen your brand in Japan.

Trademark Search

Check if your trademark is available for registration with our easy-to-use search tool.

Search Trademark

Trademark Renewal

Renew your trademark to maintain uninterrupted protection for your brand.

Renew Trademark

Domain Registration

Safeguard your local domain with ease through our trusted partner, Register.Domains.

Search .JP Domains

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it necessary for me to sign a Power of Attorney?

Yes, you must sign a power of attorney to complete the application process.

What are the steps involved in the trademark application process in Japan after filing?

The process for a trademark application in Japan includes the following steps:

  • Examination – The trademark office reviews the application for:
    • Deceptiveness
    • Distinctiveness
    • Clarity
    • Classification
    • Formalities
    • Conflicts with existing registrations
    • Violations of morals or public policy
    • Unauthorized use of a stage name, pen name, or person's portrait
    • Similarities with recently expired marks (within one year)
    • Marks that could mislead consumers about the quality of goods or services
    • Conflicts with names used for rice
  • Registration – If the application passes the examination, a registration certificate is issued.
  • Publication – Details are made public for potential opposition. The publication is stored in DVD format, not printed.
    • Mark
    • Goods/services
    • Applicant's name and address
    • Applicant's citizenship and country of incorporation
    • Application date and number
    • Date of first use of the mark
    • Trademark representation
    • Priority claim information
    • Specimen

    • What actions are necessary to meet the usage requirement for a trademark?

    To meet the use requirement, the mark must be used within 3 years of its registration date and during any 3 consecutive years while it is valid. The use must be minimal and take place within this jurisdiction.

    Do I need to use my trademark before applying for registration?

    Yes. You must either be using the mark already or have a genuine plan to use it before you can apply for registration.

    Who is eligible to challenge my trademark registration?

    Anyone with an interest can challenge the trademark registration.

    How many trademark applications should I submit?

    The number of applications you should file depends on your mark's features, your budget, and the level of protection you want in Japan.

    If your trademark includes unique text and design elements, and you want both protected, we suggest filing two trademark applications: one for the text (as a "Word Mark") and another for the design (as a "Combined Mark").

    Filing two applications offers these benefits:

  • Enhanced protection. If someone files a "Combined Mark" with similar text but a different design, their mark might be registered if you only filed a "Combined Mark" and not a "Word Mark," as their mark would still be considered different overall.
  • Protection for evolving logos. Companies often update their logos. If you only file a "Combined Mark" and not a "Word Mark," your new logo won't be protected. You must use your trademark as registered, or it could be canceled.
  • Comprehensive text and design protection. A "Word Mark" application allows flexibility in using your mark in various styles, while a "Combined Mark" protects the design elements.

    • If your trademark includes a slogan or a unique design symbol, consider filing separate applications for each to ensure extra protection.

    How long is a registered trademark valid for once it has been approved?

    Your registered trademark will be valid for 10 years from the date it is registered.

    Can a registration be canceled?

    You can cancel a registration for the following reasons:

    • The mark insults someone's dignity
    • It was registered in bad faith
    • The mark is prohibited
    • It is used in a misleading or deceptive way
    • It includes a protected badge or emblem
    • It goes against moral standards or public order
    • It involves a geographical indication
    • It includes a protected armorial bearing, flag, or state emblem
    • The mark is generic or too common
    • The mark is functional, misleading, deceptive, disparaging, non-distinctive, or merely descriptive

    Should I register my trademark using local language characters?

    Yes, to ensure wider and stronger protection in Japan, it's advisable to register your trademark in local characters.

    If you only register the trademark in its original form (Latin characters), it might not fully protect its equivalent in the local language. This could allow others to use or register the same or a similar trademark in local characters.

    Besides the legal advantages, registering and using the trademark in local characters can also offer commercial benefits. People in Japan will more easily recognize your brand if they can read and pronounce it correctly.

    Registering your trademark both in its original form and in local transliteration/translation will offer better protection against potential infringements.

    What is the typical duration for trademark registration approval?

    Typically, it takes about 6 months to get a trademark registered, as long as there are no objections or challenges.

    If I register my trademark in Japan, will it be protected in other countries?

    No, registering your trademark in Japan only protects it within Japan's borders.

    What is the duration of the opposition period?

    The opposition period starts on the day the Official Gazette is published and lasts for two months from that date.

    Is it possible to claim priority for a patent application in Japan?

    Yes, you can use the filing date from your home country as the filing date in Japan if the following conditions are met:

    • Your home country is a member of the Paris Convention.
    • The filing date in your home country is within 6 months before the filing date in Japan.
    • Your home country is a member of the WTO (World Trade Organization).
    • International registration can originate from Japan.

    What rights do I have if I have a registered trademark in Japan?

    In Japan, registering a trademark gives you rights, but even if a trademark isn't registered, it can still be protected if it's well-known.

    What rights do you gain by registering a trademark?

    Yes. In Japan, registering a trademark grants the owner these rights:

    • The exclusive right to use the trademark
    • The right to oppose any later applications that conflict with their trademark
    • The right to request the cancellation of any later conflicting registrations
    • The right to take legal action against anyone infringing on the trademark
    • The right to seek compensation or damages from those who infringe on the trademark
    • The right to permit others to use the trademark
    • The right to request customs authorities to seize counterfeit goods

    Still have questions?

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