Post on 09-Jul-2020
1
Sunao SATOJapanPatentOfficeJanuary21,2016
Session9RoleoftheDesignatedContractingParty,i.e.SubstantiveExaminationandOppositionProcedureBeforeaDesignatedContractingParty,NotificationsbyDesignatedOfficeontheStatusofInternationalRegistration,RespondingtoRefusals,etc.
http://www.cambodiaip.gov.kh/https://www.facebook.com/cambodiaip.gov.kh/
Website :Facebook :
1.FlowofExaminationProcedures
2.SpecificRequirementsforDesignatingJapan
3.FrequentlyCitedGroundsforRefusal
4.JPOExaminationPractices
5.ProcedurestoRespondtoProvisionalRefusals
6.AfterReceivingaGrantofProtection
7.Opposition,AppealsandTrials2
TableofContents
NotificationofTerritorialExtensiondesignatingJapan(deemedtobeanapplicationfiledwiththeJPOon thedateofinternationalregistration/recordalofsubsequentdesignation)
3
1.FlowofExaminationProcedures- ataglance
FirstOfficeActionA)StatementofGrantofProtection
orB)NotificationofProvisional Refusal
Publicationoftheregisteredmark
Publicationoftheapplication
LimitationàWIPOorWrittenAmendment/WrittenOpinionà JPO(viaarepresentativedomiciledinJapan)
A)
PaymentofSecondPartofIndividualFeeàWIPOà RegistrationonJPO’sregister(ProtectioninJapanisconfirmed) Opposition
Period
B)
ConfirmationofProvisionalRefusal
Decisiontorefuseatrademarkregistration
StatementofGrantofProtection
AppealagainstExaminer’sDecision
NotificationofTerritorialExtensiondesignatingJapan
4
Examination
Publicationoftheregisteredmark
Publicationoftheapplication
Opposition Period
ConfirmationofProvisional Refusal
Appeals againstExaminer’sDecision
StatementofGrantofProtection
NotificationofProvisional Refusal
PaymentofSecondPartofIndividual FeeàWIPO
WrittenAmendment/WrittenOpinionà JPO(viaarepresentativedomiciledinJapan)
3months+extendable1month
3months
RegistrationonJPO’s register
2months
3monthsExamination
Publicationoftheapplication
6- 7monthsonaverage(asofOctober2014)
1.FlowofExaminationProcedures- timeline
Decisiontorefusearegistration
LimitationàWIPO Anytime*AnytimethecaseisbeforetheJPOinordertoresolvegrounds forrefusal.
5
2.SpecificRequirementsforDesignatingJapan
• ThemarkhastobeoneofthetypesprotectedundertheJapaneseTrademarkActArticle2(1),namely“anycharacter(s),figure(s),sign(s),threedimensionalshape(s),oranycombinationthereof,oranycombinationthereofwithcolors,orsoundsoranyothersprescribedintheCabinetOrder.
RevisedAct3-Dmarks OKPositionmarks OKColorpersemarks OKMotionmarks OKHologrammarks OKSoundmarks OKOlfactorymarks -Tastemarks -
*RevisedtrademarkActhascomeintoeffectasfromApril1,2015
6
2.SpecificRequirementsforDesignatingJapan
l TheJapaneseTrademarkActdoesnotprotectguaranteemarks.
l TheJPOfollowstheproceduresbelowwhenthemarkisindicatedasa“collectivemark,certificationmark,orguaranteemark”inthenoticeofdesignation:
i)TheJPOissuesthenotificationofprovisional refusalinvitinganapplicanttoindicatewhichtypeofmarkstheapplicantwishestoprotectinJapan,andtosubmitnecessarydocuments suchasaproofofbeing thejuridicalperson.
ii)Ifholders seekprotectionunder“guaranteemarks”,theirapplicationswillberefused basedonthemainparagraphofArticle3(1).
Types ofmarksCollective mark Protectableas“collective marks”or“regionalcollectivemarks”Certification marks Protectableas“collective marks”,“regionalcollectivemarks”,or
“ordinarymarks”
Guarantee marks Not-protectable
7
2.SpecificRequirementsforDesignatingJapan
u PaymentofSecondPartofIndividualFee (Rule34(3))
lSecondpartofindividualfee:328(CHF)foreachclass*FirstPart:99(CHF)foroneclassplus× 75(CHF)foreachadditionalclass
lPaymenttoWIPO
lWithin3months fromthedateonwhichthestatementofgrantofprotectionissent.Ifthesecondpartoftheindividualfeeis notpaidwithinthedeadline,theinternationalregistrationwillbecancelledwithrespecttoJapan.*ThenewRule5bis“ContinuedProcessing”willtakeeffectonJan.1,2015,wherebyanapplicantorholderwhofailedtocomplywithatimelimitmaysubmitarequesttoIBforcontinuedprocessing.
8
u JPOconductsexaminationon:- Clarityofgoods/services- Absolutegrounds- Relativegrounds- IntentiontoUse
3.FrequentlyCitedGroundsforRefusal
u FrequentlycitedGroundsforRefusalare:(1)Clarityofgoods/services(Article6(1))(2)Similaritytopriorregisteredtrademarks(Article4(1)(xi))(3)IntentiontoUse(mainparagraph,Article3(1))
[Note]JPOdoesnothaveapartialregistrationsystem,meaningthatifapplicantsdonotrespondtoprovisionalrefusals,theirentireapplicationswillultimatelyberefused.
9
4.JPOExaminationPractices(1)GoodsandServices
(1)Clarityofgoods/services(Article6(1))
CLASSHEADINGS
lClassheadingsoflistofclasses,withexplanatorynotesundertheNICEAgreement,donotcoverallgoodsorservicesinthatclass.
lSomeoftheclassheadingsareacceptableasindicationsofgoodsorservices,providedthattheindicationmeetstheclarityrequirement.
lUnacceptableclassheadingsandexamplesforalternativeindicationsareprovidedontheJPO’swebsite(Englishpage):http://www.jpo.go.jp/torikumi_e/t_torikumi_e/japan_under_the_madrid_protocol.htm
1:Chemicals usedinindustry, scienceandphotography,aswellasinagriculture,horticultureandforestry;6:Ironmongery,smallitemsofmetalhardware;goodsofcommonmetalnotincluded inotherclasses;7:Machinesandmachinetools;9:Scientific, nautical,surveying, photographic, cinematographic,optical,weighing,measuring,signaling, checking(supervision), life-savingandteachingapparatusandinstruments;12:Vehicles; apparatusforlocomotionbyland,airorwater;14.Preciousmetalsandtheiralloysandgoodsinpreciousmetalsorcoatedtherewith,notincluded inotherclasses;16:Paper,cardboardandgoodsmadefromthesematerials,notincluded inotherclasses;17:Rubber,gutta-percha,gum,asbestos,micaandgoodsmadefromthesematerialsandnotincluded inotherclasses;packing, stoppingandinsulatingmaterials;18:Leatherandimitations ofleather,andgoodsmadeofthesematerialsandnotincluded inotherclasses;20:Goods (notincluded inotherclasses) ofwood, cork,reed,cane,wicker,horn,bone, ivory,whalebone, shell,amber,mother-of-pearl,meerschaumandsubstitutes forallthesematerials,orofplastics;24:Textilesandtextilegoods, notincluded inotherclasses;31:Grainsandagricultural,horticulturalandforestryproductsnotincluded inotherclasses;36:Financial affairs;monetaryaffairs;37:Repair;40:Treatmentofmaterials;41:Sportingandculturalactivities;42:Scientificandtechnologicalservices andresearchanddesignrelatingthereto;44:Agriculture,horticultureandforestryservices;45:Personalandsocialservicesrenderedbyotherstomeettheneedsofindividuals.
Unacceptableclassheadings[NCL(10-2014)]
10
4.JPOExaminationPractices(1)GoodsandServices
11
Class Unacceptableindications Examplesofacceptableindications
6 Goodsofcommonmetalnotincluded inotherclasses;
Pipes ofmetal;metalmaterialsforbuilding orconstruction;metaljoinery fittings;safes;hardwareofmetal,small;prefabricatedbuilding assembly kitsofmetal;reservoirsofmetal;industrialpackagingcontainersofmetal;
7 Machinesandmachinetools; Metalworkingmachines andtools;constructionmachinesandapparatus;textilemachinesandapparatus;foodorbeverageprocessingmachines andapparatus;printingorbookbinding machines andapparatus;agriculturalmachinesandimplements;packagingorwrappingmachinesandapparatus;
9 Scientific, nautical,surveying,photographic, cinematographic,optical,weighing,measuring, signaling, checking(supervision), life-savingandteachingapparatusandinstruments;
Apparatusandinstruments forscientific researchinlaboratories;nautical,surveying, photographic,cinematographic,optical,andweighingapparatusandinstruments;measuringapparatus;luminous ormechanicalsignals;electricmonitoring apparatus;life-saving apparatusandequipment;teachingapparatus;
16 Paper,cardboardandgoodsmadefromthesematerials,notincluded inotherclasses
Paper,boxesofpaper,tableclothsofpaper,tablenapkins ofpaper,cardboardandcardboardarticles;
42 Scientificandtechnologicalservices andresearchanddesignrelatingthereto;
Scientificandtechnologicalresearchanddevelopment;computersoftwaredesign;industrial design;
Examples:
*PleaserefertotheJPO’s websiteforalternativeindications forotherclasses.http://www.jpo.go.jp/torikumi_e/t_torikumi_e/japan_under_the_madrid_protocol.htm
NCL(10-2014)
4.JPOExaminationPractices(1)GoodsandServices
12
Unacceptableindicationsrelatingtoretail/wholesaleservices(Class35)l“Retailservices”,“Retailstoreservices”or“Retailservicesorwholesaleservicesforallgoods”à Theseareconsideredtobetoovague.Goodswhicharesubjecttoretailorwholesaleservicesmustbespecified.e.g. “Retailservicesforcosmetics”
l“Thebringingtogether,forthebenefitofothers,ofavarietyofgoods(excludingthetransportthereof),enablingcustomerstoconvenientlyviewandpurchasethosegoods”àItisnotclearwhethertheservicedescribedaboveisservicetosupportothers’businesses;orretailservicesorwholesaleservices.
<Suggestionsforamendingandlimitingtheindication>“Thebringingtogether,forthebenefitofothers,ofavarietyofgoods(excludingthetransportthereof),enablingcustomerstoconvenientlyviewandpurchasethosegoods(otherthanretailorwholesaleservices)”or“Retailorwholesaleservicesfor[specifiedgoods]”
4.JPOExaminationPractices(1)GoodsandServices
13
Toolstofindacceptableindicationsofgoods/services
lListofGoodsandServicesatIndustrialPropertyDigitalLibrary(IPDL)
JPOwebsite:https://www2.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/SH1/sh1e_search.cgi?TYPE=000&sTime=1452059646885
Thedatabaseincludes:- IndicationsofgoodsandserviceslistedintheJapaneseMinisterialOrdinance- IndicationsintheNiceAlphabeticalList- IndicationsontheIDList- Indicationsacceptedinpastexaminations
lMadridGoods&ServicesManager(MGS)
4.JPOExaminationPractices(1)GoodsandServices
4.JPOExaminationPractices(1)GoodsandServices
14
15
(2)Similaritytopriorregisteredtrademarks(Article4(1)(xi))
4.JPOExaminationPractices(2)Similarity
Keyfactorsfordeterminingsimilarity:
pSimilarityofMarksVisual,auralandconceptualsimilaritiesofthemarksareallconsideredtogether.Otherfactorssuchastargetmarket/consumersforthedesignatedgoodsorservices,stateofcommercialtransactionsforthedesignatedgoodsorservices,andlevelofconsumers'awarenessaretakenintoconsideration.
pSimilarityofGoods/ServicesWhetherthegoods/servicesaresimilarintermsofproductionstage,stageofsales,materialsandquality,intendedpurpose,targetedconsumers,andrelationshipbetweenfinished-productsandpartsaretakenintoconsideration.*JPOexaminersuseSimilarGroupCodes toensureconsistent&efficientexamination.
24C01SportingEquipment
Class6 Class25
Class9
Class19
Class27
Class28
Divingboardsofmetal
Protectivehelmetsforsports
Divingboards,notofmetal
Skiboots, Gymnasticshoes,Golfshoes
Gymnasticmats
Skigear,Weightliftingequipment
Similar
WhatareSimilarGroupCodes?Similargroupcodespresumesimilarityofgoodsandservices andareusedaskeys forsearchingprior trademarks.Theyensureconsistencyindetermining similarityofgoodsandservicesduring theexaminationprocess;anddegreeofpredictabilityforapplicantsandholders.
16
4.JPOExaminationPractices(2)Similarity
ExaminationGuidelineforsimilargoodsandservices
http://www.jpo.go.jp/english/obtainment/rights/trademark/index.html 17
InternationalClassificationofGoodsandServicesAlphabeticalListinJapaneseTranslationwithSimilarGroupCode
Class9
Class9
4.JPOExaminationPractices(2)Similarity
18
(3)IntentiontoUse(mainparagraph,Article3(1))
4.JPOExaminationPractices(3)IntentiontoUse
l Itisnotnecessaryforthetrademarktobeinactualusewhenapplicantsfileapplications.
l JapaneseTrademarkActisbasedon“registration”ratherthan“use”.l However,whenitisreasonablyquestionablewhethertheholders
currentlyuseorwillusethetrademarkforthedesignatedgoods/services,JPOexaminerssendprovisionalrefusalstoconfirmtheholder’suseoforintenttousethetrademark.
Forexample:• Scopeofthedesignatedgoods/services istoobroad• Naturalpersondesignating“retailandwholesaleservicesforclothing, foods,
household itemsdealinginallgoods together”• Designatedserviceislimitedtoonly thosequalified toprovidesuchservices
(eg.privatecompaniesdesignating“legalservices”thatonlyqualified lawyerscanprovide.)
l Inordertoresolvegroundsforrefusal,holdersneedstosubmitevidenceofproofshowingtheiractualuseortheirintenttouse;orlimitthescopeofthedesignatedgoods/services.
19
Thescopeofthedesignatedgoods/services isconsidered tobetoobroadinJPO’sexaminationpracticewhen:
ütheholderdesignatesgoodsorservicescoveredbyeightormoresimilargroupcodeswithinoneclass
e.g.à Seethenextslide.
ütwoormorekindsofretail/wholesaleservicesaredesignatede.g.
•“Retailservicesforclothing”, “Retailservicesforfootwear”,“Retailservicesforbagsandpouches”à considered tobeinthesametypeofretailservices(35K02)•“Retailservicesorwholesaleservicesforautomobiles”, “Retailservicesforcosmetics”à consideredthattwodifferenttypesofretailservicesaredesignated (Similargroupcodesare“35K04”and“35K10”respectively.)
4.JPOExaminationPractices(3)IntentiontoUse
20
Anexampleofacaseinwhichtheholderdesignatesgoodscoveredbyeightormoresimilargroupcodeswithinoneclass
Grouping SimilarGroupCode
Lifesavingapparatus 09G01
Apparatusforlaboratoryuse 10A01
Optical/Photographicapparatus 10B01
Measuring/testingapparatus 10C01
Electricwiresandcables 11A05
Telecommunicationapparatus 11B01
Electronicapparatus 11C01
Spectacles 23B01
Sportingequipment 24C01
Class 9
Fireescapes
Lifejackets
Laboratorycentrifuges
Ovensforlaboratoryuse
Cameras [photography]
Microscopes
Opticallenses
Pressureindicators
Scales
Cables,electric
Connections forelectriclines
DVDplayers
Headphones
Telephoneapparatus
Computers
Computer software
Integratedcircuits
Eyeglasses
Sunglasses
Protectivehelmetsforsports
4.JPOExaminationPractices(3)IntentiontoUse
21
Holdersmayrespondtogroundsbyanyofthefollowingways:(a)Providingdocuments*inordertoprovethattheyarecurrentlyconductingbusinessinJapan inconnectionwiththegoods/services.*newspaperarticles,catalogs,businessdocumentsetc.
(b)Providingdocumentsshowingthattheyareplanningtoconductbusinessinconnectionwiththegoods/servicesinJapan withinthreetofouryearsfromthedateoftheinternationalregistrationorthesubsequentdesignation:
(i)ADeclarationofIntentiontoUsestatingtheexpecteddatewhenthegoods/servicesusing thetrademarkwillbelaunchedinJapan;and(ii)Documentsstatingthecurrentstateandscheduleoftheirbusinessplan;or
(c)Limitingthegoods/servicestoareasonablerange.[ItemVIoftheprovisionalrefusalcanbehelpful.]
4.JPOExaminationPractices(3)IntentiontoUse
SeeVI.SuggestionsforAmendment/Limitation
22
4.JPOExaminationPractices - Suggestionsforamendment
• Filingrequeststolimittheindicationsofdesignatedgoodsandservices(OfficialFormMM6)
• Limitationcanberequestedatanytime,i.e.,anytimewhilethecaseisbeforetheJPOinordertoresolvegroundsforrefusal.
• LimitationscanberequestedbyholdersortheirrepresentativesforInternationalRegistrations.
q ProcedureforWIPO
q ProcedurefortheJPO• Submittingamendmentsoropinionsinwritingwithin3monthsfrom
thedateonwhichthenoticeofprovisionalrefusalwassent(extendablebyanother1monthuponrequest)
• AmendmentsoropinionscanbesubmittedonlythoughrepresentativesdomiciledinJapan.
23
5.ProcedurestorespondtoProvisionalRefusals
Holdersmayrespondtoprovisionalrefusalsby:
*Communication betweenaholderorrepresentativeforIRsandarepresentativeinJapanisimportant.
24
6.AfterreceivingaGrantofProtection
Aletterof“Decisiontograntaregistration”issenttotheholderorarepresentativedomiciledinJapan(ifany)fromJPO.
“Statementofgrantofprotection”and“Notificationofsecondpartofindividualfee”aresenttotheholderorarepresentativeofinternationalregistration(ifany)throughIB.
Paymentduedate
25
6.AfterreceivingaGrantofProtection
u PaymentofSecondPartofIndividualFee (Rule34(3))
l Secondpartofindividualfee:328(CHF)foreachclass*FirstPart:99(CHF)foroneclassplus× 75(CHF)foreachadditionalclass
l PaymenttoWIPO
l Within3months fromthedateonwhichthestatementofgrantofprotectionissent.Ifthesecondpartofindividualfeeis notpaidwithinthedeadline,theinternationalregistrationwillbecancelledwithrespecttoJapan.
*ThenewRule5bis“ContinuedProcessing”willtakeeffectonJan.1,2015,wherebyanapplicantorholderwhofailedtocomplywithatimelimitmaysubmitarequesttoIBforcontinuedprocessing.
26
uCertificateofTrademarkRegistrationCertificateoftrademarkregistrationwillbeissuedandsentdirectlytotheholderorarepresentativedomiciledinJapan(ifany) afterthetrademarkhasbeenregisteredatJPO.
6.AfterreceivingaGrantofProtection
27
FormalityCheck
Opposition
Publicationofapplication
SupremeCourt
2months
DecisionofRegistration
SubstantiveExamination
TrademarkApplication
RegistrationInvalidationtrial
CancellationtrialAppealagainst
DecisionofRefusal
IPHighCourt
DecisionofRefusal
NotificationofReasonsforRefusal
3months
RegistrationFeePayment
DecisionofCancelDecisionofmaintain
Publicationoftrademarkgazette
7.Opposition,AppealsandTrials
28
Article44(1)oftheTrademarkActApplicantswhoreceiveexaminers’decisionsstatingthattheirapplicationsare
toberefusedandwhoaredissatisfiedwiththesedecisionsmayrequesttohavetrialstoreversetheexaminers’decisionsofrefusalwithin3monthsfromthedateonwhichtheywereservedtheexaminers’decisions.
• UndertheTrademarkActofJapan,theapplicantswhoarenotsatisfiedwithexaminers’decisionsofrefusalfortheirtrademarks,arenotallowedtoimmediatelyfilelawsuitsincourts.Instead,theJPOestablishedasystemofexpartere-examinationproceedingsinordertoreviewandmakedecisionsonthevalidityofexaminationsconductedbyexaminers.
• ApanelofAdministrativeJudges,afterconductingex-officiosearches,willconducttrialstoreviewanddecideonthevalidityofexaminers’decisionsofrefusal.
Demandantoftrial
Dissatisfactionwithexaminer’sdecision
Reviewthevalidityofexaminer ’sdecisionofrefusal
PanelofAdministrative
Judges
7-1.AppealsagainstExaminers’DecisionsofRefusal
29
Whoconductsexaminations? Panel
Medeofexaminations Examinationbydocumentaryproceeding inprinciple
Participation Participationforthepurpose ofassistingtrademarkrightholders
Ex-officioexamination
1) Reasonsforwhichanappealisnotmadebytheopponentmaybeexamined
2) Goodsorservicesforwhichanopposition isnotmademaynotbeexamined
Opportunity forcounterargumentfortrademarkrightholders
Submission ofwrittenopinions inresponse toanoticeofreasonsforrescission
Decision Decisionofrescissionormaintenanceofregistration
Action
1) TrademarkrightholdermaytakeanactionbeforetheIntellectualPropertyHighCourtforrescissionofthedecisionofrescission.
2) Opponent isnotabletotakeanactionagainstthedecisionofmaintenance.
7-2.Oppositionstotrademarkregistration
30
Registration
PublicationofGazettecontainingthetrademark
Oppositiontotrademarkregistration
Examination
Noticeofreasonsforrevocation
Writtenopinion
Examination
Decisiononopposition
Decisionofmaintenance Decisionofrevocation
IntellectualPropertyHighCourt
SupremeCourt
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
7-2.Oppositionstotrademarkregistration
post-grantoppositions
Thankyouforyourattention!
31
p JPOwebsite:http://www.jpo.go.jp/index.htmp InformationforHoldersofInternationalRegistrationsseekingExtensionofProtectiontoJapanundertheMadridProtocol:http://www.jpo.go.jp/torikumi_e/t_torikumi_e/japan_under_the_madrid_protocol.htm
pFAQs >MadridProtocol:http://www.jpo.go.jp/english/faqs/madrid.html