Considerations before filing
The JPO published "Acceptable Description of Goods and Services" at Japan Patent Office.
While this is in Japanese, if a class is selected, the Acceptable Description appears in English as well.
If the actual goods or services correspond to the Acceptable Description, the Acceptable Description should be used.
At the time of filing, it is recommended to add broad identification of goods and services to support future limitation, especially when the actual goods or services do not correspond to the Acceptable Description.
Examination
All trademark applications are subject to a substantive examination.
Trademark application is examined for distinctiveness and registrability including:
Whether the trademark is identical or similar to any national flags or thereof
Whether the trademark contains a stage name of another person or a famous abbreviation thereof
Whether a famous trademark exists in Japan or abroad
Whether an identical/similar trademark is registered for identical/similar goods/services
If any requirement is not satisfied, the examiner issues a notice of reasons for rejection.
flow and fee
