Monthly Archives: June 2023

Biore Sound Trademark and Design

  • June 28, 2023
#design #trademark

　Biore has a sound trademark. The designated products are soaps and cosmetics.
　Biore is a face and body care brand of Kao Corporation.

Biore Sound Trademark

　Related products of the Bioré brand include body wash, foam hand soap, and skin care products.
　I recently purchased Biore-u’s paw pad-shaped foaming hand soap. Unlike the regular pump dispenser, which dispenses bubbles horizontally from a single opening, the paw pad type hand soap has a pump dispenser that dispenses bubbles vertically upward from several openings. The shape of the pump dispenser was so striking and eccentric that it was registered as a design.

　In the past, when using foam hand soap, one used both hands to wash one’s hands, pushing the pump with the right hand and picking up the foam hand soap with the left hand. However, with the paw pad-type foam hand soap, I can pick up the foam hand soap with one hand and wash my hands with it. It is very convenient, and I think it is good not only in terms of functionality but also in terms of hygiene.

Biore-u's paw pad-shaped foaming hand soap Biore-u's paw pad-shaped foaming hand soap

　I thought it was a product for which not only the character trademark but also the sound trademark and the design were protected and utilized in a multifaceted way to further enhance the brand power and protect and utilize intellectual property. (Raspberry)

Japanese Sound Trademark Registration number : No. 5805052｜J-PlatPat
Japanese Design Registration number : No. 1710004｜J-PlatPat

INTA2023 in Singapore

  • June 21, 2023
#intellectual property #trademark

　I participated in INTA2023 held in Singapore from May 16 to 20. INTA2023 is the annual meeting of INTA (International Trademark Association), where many trademark attorneys, patent attorneys, and other IP professionals gather from all over the world. This year, more than 3,700 companies from around the world gathered for the event. This year, more than 8,000 people from over 3,700 companies and organizations registered to attend.

Singapore INTA2023

　The venue was the Sands Expo & Convention Center. The exhibition hall on the first floor was very spacious, and many companies and organizations exhibited booths, including companies and IP firms that provide IP-related tools from various countries. During the exhibition, I had meetings with local representatives of various countries with whom I have daily business relationships, and also interacted with IP professionals from various countries whom I met both inside and outside the venue. Interaction with IP professionals whom I got to know by being approached during breaks and by talking to them was an experience that I was able to have only because I participated in the real event.

INTA2023 INTA2023

　Singapore is famous for the Merlion! So after the meeting, we stopped by Merlion Park. The actual Merlion was just as I had imagined, neither too big nor too small, and in both color and shape. It was a new discovery that there was a mini Merlion behind the Merlion.

Merlion mini Merlion

　During my business trip, most of the people I saw at the airport and in town, and those I interacted with inside and outside the venue, were not wearing masks, and I was honestly perplexed by the difference from the situation in Japan before my departure. But at the same time, I remembered the situation that was normal and usual before the Corona disaster. I believe that in the future there will be more real exchanges in Japan and economic activities in various industries will become more active. As one of patent attorneys, I will continue to engage in activities that will lead to the boosting of the intellectual property industry and industrial circles. (Hiro)

Drive to Hokuriku

  • June 16, 2023
#trademark

This is Swimmer.
When I went for a drive the other day, I found this signboard at a service area on the Hokuriku Highway.

Hokuriku Expressway Dou-Raku

If you look closely, you will see a small sign that says Registered Trademark.
I immediately searched for it on the JPO Information Platform and sure enough, there it was.
The owner of the “Hokuriku Expressway Dou-Raku” trademark is Central Nippon Expressway Company Limited, and the Japanese Trademark registration number is No. 5434280.
Among the three designated products are printed materials, and I found an information magazine with the same name at a store in the service area, so I took one home with me.
The contents are quite worthwhile, including traffic information, history of tourist attractions near the road, and gourmet food information.
It is important to contribute to the development of the surrounding area in this way.

the coast of Hokuriku

Behind the service area was the coast of Hokuriku with a very nice view of the Sea of Japan.

Hokuriku Doraku(J-PlatPat)
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/TR/JP-2011-018496/FF08C77B2B9232EA38A77560F9A324A9C0C008F3F99EE2577553D482CD6ED19F/40/en

Nago-Nyan

  • June 7, 2023
#trademark

The other day, I found “Nagoyan” sold in bulk at a convenience store.
“Nagoyan” is a Japanese confectionery produced and sold by Shikishima Baking Co. It has long been loved as Nagoya’s famous confectionery because of its soft sweetness and moist texture.

It is not uncommon to find them sold at convenience stores and supermarkets, but upon closer inspection, they are labeled “Nago-Nyan”. Nago…nyan?
Since I was so curious, I bought some to try along with “Nagoyan” and “Nama-Nagoyan” (“Nago-Nyan” was sold in some convenience stores in advance).

Nagoyan

Unlike the smooth appearance of “Nagoyan,” “Nago-Nyan” is shaped like a paw, and the yolk bean paste contains white chocolate cream, which is not included in “Nagoyan.
Changing the name of a well-known product slightly is a very interesting idea, as well as attracting more attention. (Syszo)

Nago-Nyan

“Nago-Nyan” has been on sale from June 1 in the Kanto to Kyushu regions.
https://www.pasconet.co.jp/release/1949/ (Japanese only)

“Nagoyan” and “Nama-Nagoyan” are registered trademarks. “Nago-Nyan” is a pending trademark registration.

Nagoyan (public gazette)
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/TR/JP-2000-110921/AB1CC1E929A0482E7F4F84C55BD38FA4A96910E21641D91C785356518457BE83/40/ja
Nama-Nagoyan (public gazette)
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/TR/JP-2020-016451/35B80F48ED38733ABD7198B5BD9713ACB7223990032D8A76BD0AF34DBA31F355/40/ja
Nago-Nyan (public gazette)
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/TR/JP-2023-016361/3296718F6A9701BD7F9BF42E60DEE780CC78CDF17D94E47269F9E70954C4C10A/40/ja