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- Written by Patent Attorneys, Patent Engineers, Trademark Engineers, Translators, and Administrative staff -

STONE ROLLS

  • December 18, 2024
#trademark

The other day, I received a can of mackerel.
It had a label with the mark ‘STONE ROLLS’.

Kinka mackerel

…STONE ROLLS?
It’s a strange-looking mark, and it seems strange as English too.
I was intrigued, so I did a little research.

The label also says “Kinka mackerel, landed in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture”.
I realized when I looked up this information that Kinka mackerel is a local brand product of Ishinomaki, and is being promoted together with Kinka gin and Kinka bonito…

STONE ROLLS

Is STONE ROLLS a pun on the direct translation of Ishinomaki?
When I searched for STONE ROLLS itself, it came up!

According to the can label and this website, it seems that STONE ROLLS is read as “stonroruzu”. However, it is registered as “stone rolls” in the standard characters on J-PlatPat.

The waters around Kinkasan Island, a small island off the coast of Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture, are rich in fish,
“The mackerel that live in the reefs around Kinkasan Island and do not migrate are shipped under the Kinkasan Mackerel brand. Originally, they were called the ‘reef mackerel’ that come up to Ishinomaki Port.“
Although ‘Kinkasan Mackerel’ is not a regional collective trademark, it seems to be expected as a regional brand. ‘Large-sized mackerel that are caught off the coast of Kinkasan Island and landed at Ishinomaki Port in season’. I’m looking forward to tasting them now. (blink)

A patented invention to prevent customer harassment

  • December 11, 2024
#patent

　This article introduces a patented invention that uses scientific methods to solve the problem of customer harassment.

　In the invention of Japanese Patent No. 7164793 “Speech Processing System, Speech Processing Device, and Speech Processing Method” (patent holder: SoftBank Corp.), a speech signal from a customer speaking to a call center operator is recognized by a speech processing device. If a specific word sequence is detected in the speech signal that insults the listener, denies the listener’s character, or otherwise makes the listener feel uncomfortable, the specific word sequence is removed or replaced with another word sequence. In addition, the customer’s emotions are evaluated, and if the anger level is high, a synthesized voice with suppressed emotions is output. This reduces the stress on the operator.

customer harassment

　In the invention of Japanese Patent No. 7384558 “Harmful Behavior Detection System and Method” (patent holder: Hitachi Systems, Ltd.), for example, the harmful behavior detection system detects and supports responses to harmful behavior such as malicious complaints from customers to store staff in stores. If a shop assistant receives a malicious complaint from a customer, the information terminal will detect words that indicate the possibility of harmful behavior from the voice data that has been recognized by voice recognition, and send it to the server. The server will make a judgment regarding the status of the malicious complaint, and if the degree of the malicious complaint is high, a security guard will be dispatched immediately.

customer harassment

　In Tokyo, the Customer Harassment Prevention Ordinance will come into effect on April 1st, 2025. It is hoped that providers of goods and services and customers (consumers) will respect each other’s positions, and that a fair and sustainable society free from customer harassment will be realized. (Conan)

All About Medicine

  • December 4, 2024
#patent #trademark

I think the term “generic” to refer to generic drugs has become widespread.
Generic drugs are medicines that are manufactured and sold after the patent on a new drug (original drug) has expired. They are inexpensive medicines that have been approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as having the same active ingredients and efficacy as the original drug.
In the past, when I was prescribed medicine at the hospital, I remember having to express my preference for a generic drug, or having my preference asked by the doctor or pharmacist, but now I get the impression that generics are prescribed as a matter of course without any particular confirmation.
It seems that the efforts made to promote their use in order to reduce medical costs have had a certain effect on the spread of generics.

Medicine

By the way, although it tends to be hidden behind the topic of the My Number insurance card, did you know that a new system for generics was introduced in October?
For some brand-name drugs (long-term listed drugs) that have generics, if you request a prescription for the brand-name drug, a “special fee” will be added on top of the usual co-payment.
It is hoped that this initiative will further promote the use of generic drugs.
About the choice medical treatment of long-term publication product| Saving on medical expenses | Japan Health Insurance Association

Now, a question out of the blue.
What is the first Japanese registered trademark?

The correct answer is a trademark related to medicine!
(You can probably guess the answer from the flow of the story…)

The first trademark was applied for on October 1st 1884, the same year as the trademark registration system began, and was registered on June 10th the following year. When I checked up to trademark number 50 on J-PlatPat, I found that, as far as I could tell from the “type of goods and product name”, all but four of them were trademarks related to medicine.
According to the book “Edo and Meiji Era Logo Illustrated Dictionary: A Look Back at Company Marks through Registered Trademarks”, trademarks related to medicine, which was a major domestic industry from the Edo period and also suffered a lot of counterfeiting, were registered the most throughout the Meiji era.

This year marks 140 years since the trademark registration system was established. In addition to medicine trademarks, the book also introduces many other retro trademarks, together with their historical background. I think this is a book that is both a reference book and a fun read.
The first registered trademark (depicting a person cutting a fish and cutting their finger) is also quite unique, but personally, I think the impact of the 13th Japanese registered trademark, which is also related to medicine, is incredible! (Cacao)

Practical Training in Infringement Litigation: Aiming to become a patent attorney strong in infringement litigation

  • November 27, 2024
#infringement litigation #patent

　This is Hiro. I am participating in practical training in infringement litigation, which will be held a total of four times from the beginning of September to the end of November.
　The aim of this training is to “train patent attorneys to be strong in infringement litigation, using materials arranged from actual infringement litigation cases so that even patent attorneys with no litigation experience can experience infringement litigation virtually”. I decided to participate in this training because I thought it would be perfect for me, as a registered patent attorney with supplementary qualifications, but with few opportunities to be involved in litigation.

　In the first half of the training, participants were divided into several groups and carried out mock consultations, which were designed to simulate the drafting of complaints and other documents and strategy meetings with clients, and in the second half, the lecturers provided practical training by explaining the issues in infringement litigation based on recent court decisions, so that participants could acquire the knowledge and interpretation of the issues.

　After each session, you will be asked to submit a draft of a complaint, a written response, or a plaintiff’s brief. If you submit these drafts, you will be able to receive feedback on your work from the lecturers at the next session, and you will also receive individual feedback on your work by email, which will be very helpful.

　After the first training session, I dropped by the Japan Patent Office building, which is located close to the training venue (the Japan Patent Attorneys Association Hall). As it was a Saturday, there were no staff members there, but I felt a sense of urgency as I stood in front of the Japan Patent Office, which is deeply involved in my day-to-day work.

The Japan Patent Office building The Japan Patent Office building

Caspian Sea Yogurt

  • November 21, 2024
#patent

I will introduce a patented product that you may see every day without thinking about it.
This time I will introduce “Caspian Sea Yogurt”.

Caspian Sea Yogurt

“Caspian Sea Yogurt” is different from normal yogurt in that it has less whey (the clear top layer of water that forms in yogurt) and has a texture similar to cream. It seems that the technology registered as Japanese Patent Registration No. 3878953 is used.
According to the patent, the fermentation temperature is 27-33℃ and the fermentation time is 5-9 hours. Most normal yogurts are fermented at 42℃ for around 9 hours, so this product is unique in that it is fermented at a lower temperature. Using the information in the patent, I made some delicious yogurt at home using a yogurt maker.

If you are interested in the registered content, why not try searching at the following link (J-PlatPat)? (Chamomile)

Japan Platform for Patent Information｜J-PlatPat [JPP]

Hakuba brand

  • November 19, 2024
#trademark

It’s me, Swimmer.
I went to Hakuba Village in Nagano Prefecture over the autumn holidays.
The beautiful village, with its magnificent mountain views, has great hot springs and food, and it’s a place I often visit with my family.

Hakuba Village in Nagano Prefecture

When I think of Hakuba Village, I think of the ski events at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, but it’s amazing to think that it’s already been a quarter of a century since those exciting events.
The other day I saw on TV that the land prices in Hakuba Village were rising. When I drive around the village, I notice several new holiday home developments and stylish commercial facilities under construction, and I can feel that the value of the village is increasing.
This kind of redevelopment is good for the local economy, with places to work and tourists, but of course the rising land prices could damage the image of Hakuba Village that has been built up until now.

Well, when I got back, I immediately searched for “Hakuba Village” on J-PlatPat and found seven trademarks. It seems that Hakuba Village, the surrounding area, the tourist bureau, and everyone else are all working together to protect the Hakuba brand.

The Hakuba Village character, which seems a little relaxed… It’s been made into various goods. I think it’s cute.
§Victoire Cheval Blanc Murao III

A snack that shows off the appeal of the local area – Hatahata Pie

  • November 11, 2024
#trademark

The other day, when I was looking for a souvenir for my colleagues after a trip to Akita Prefecture, I came across a snack called “Hatahata Pie”.

Hatahata Pie

I thought “I know about eel pie, but hatahata?”, however I was attracted by the eye-catching packaging and bought it, wondering what it would taste like.

After looking it up later, I found out that “Hatahata Pie” is a famous Akita confectionery that was created in 1977, and that it is made using salt from the Oga Workshop and “Shibata Yakiniku no Tare (Shibata Yakiniku sauce)” from Yokote city, and is baked into a shape that resembles hatahata, and then coated with “shottsuru”, a traditional fermented seasoning from Akita. Hatahata (Japanese sandfish) is the prefectural fish of Akita.

The founder of Kimuraya, which now includes the Hatahata Pie as one of its signature products, Kusuke Yamashita, trained at the famous Kimuraya in Tokyo, where he learned the art of making anpan (sweet buns filled with bean jam), and is said to have invented the wrapping material of aluminum foil used to wrap yokan (sweet bean jelly) and the oburato (wafer paper) used to wrap medicine.

“Hatahata Pie” was registered as a trademark in 2015 for designated products as a pie pastry (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 5730530).

The “Hatahata Pie”, which makes full use of the characteristics of the local area, was a delicious snack with a subtle salty flavor and a delicious aroma.

The prefectural fish of Aichi is the Japanese tiger prawn, and there are many snacks such as shrimp crackers, so please take them as a souvenir when you visit Aichi. (Syszo)

Duolingo

  • November 7, 2024
#trademark

I downloaded the Duolingo app after hearing about it in a TV commercial.
Duolingo is a language education app, and the app’s logo is a registered trademark (International Registration No. 1640955).

Duolingo

It seems that if the language setting of the app is Japanese, you can only choose from four languages (English, Chinese, Korean, French), but because I have set the app language to English, I was able to choose from other languages (about 40 languages).
Among them, I am taking a course in Spanish, which I studied a little when I was a student, and French out of curiosity.
Spanish is fun because I can recognize some familiar words, but I’m struggling with French because the pronunciation and spelling of the words are difficult.
The learning method is not just translation, and there are also games and conversations with the computer in the lessons, so it’s very interesting.
What’s more, this app is free!

I never thought I’d have the chance to study a new language as an adult, but I’m going to do my best to become a trilingual or quadrilingual with Duolingo! (Rabbit)

note-Note

  • October 23, 2024
#patent #trademark

At first glance, this file looks like an ordinary file. Actually, it is a patented product (Japanese Patent Registration No. 6505669).

note-Note music score file

This is the “note-Note music score file” sold by Music Eight Co. By holding the paper (sheet music) in place with the four corners, it does not get in the way of writing. The applicant is a joint application between Music Eight and Tanpopo Co. Ltd. In addition, “Note-Note” is also a registered trademark (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 5738437).

note-Note music score file

note-Note music score file

　When I was a student, I used to use various methods to make use of sheet music, such as using drawing paper or connecting pieces of paper together with cellophane tape, but now I’m impressed to see how convenient this product is.
This has been an autumn of art for me, and I feel that I might want to try working on music again. (Marron)

Website :The “note:Note” file for writing on sheet music (Japanese only)
https://www.music8.com/user_data/notenote_04.php

Warudake Boss Cafe

  • October 17, 2024
#trademark

Have you heard of Suntory’s “Warudake Boss Cafe”?

Suntory's “Warudake Boss Cafe”

As the advertising slogan says, “Just mix it with milk or water and you can easily make lattes and black coffee just like at a cafe”, this coffee base makes it really easy to make delicious drinks.
This product has been very useful this summer, fulfilling my desire to drink a delicious iced latte or iced coffee right away.
In the autumn and winter, I’m looking forward to enjoying hot, delicious drinks.

The trademark “BOSS CAFE” has been registered as a designated product for tea, coffee, etc. on November 15, 2013 (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 5630416).
(Sakuramochi)

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