Have a Break

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

AR and MR Simulation Technology

  • July 19, 2023
#patent #trademark

　When we wear a head-mounted display and look around us, we see objects in virtual space superimposed on top of real space. This is Augmented Reality (AR). MR (Mixed Reality) is a technology that allows objects in virtual space to move freely. In recent years, AR and MR have been widely used for work support and training in the medical field and other industrial fields, and are also called XR (cross reality) when VR (virtual reality), AR, and MR are combined.

　SUN-SHIELD Co., Ltd., an underground tunneling company using the propulsion and shield tunneling methods, is actively using AR and MR simulation technology in the planning of underground tunneling work and in the manufacturing and maintenance of tunneling machines used in the construction process. We can find examples of actual applications on the Sunshield channel on YouTube(link below).

　In terms of intellectual property, SUN-SHIELD Co., Ltd., has acquired patent rights to the “Work Support System” (Japanese Patent No. 6969807) and trademark rights to the “SUN-SHIELD MR Simulator” (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 6379062).

SunShield_MRsimulator

　The role of underground development in urban development projects will become increasingly important in the future. We look forward to more effective use of XR’s state-of-the-art technology in the work that supports it. (Conan)

SUN-SHIELD Co., Ltd., Website
https://www.sunshield.co.jp/home-en/

YouTube Sun-Shield Co., Ltd., Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvS6w4NRWGAZ7aOcw34CXmA

Uiro of Ise

  • July 12, 2023
#trademark

“Uiro” is a Japanese confectionery that I want to eat regularly. It is also famous as a Nagoya specialty, and one of our long-time customers, Toraya Uiro Co., Ltd. specializes in raw Uiro in Ise City, Mie Prefecture. Unlike Nagoya Uiro, which is generally made of rice flour, Toraya Uiro is made of wheat flour.
It is easy to stop by as there are stores in department stores in Nagoya, and the “Raw Uiro” which does not use preservatives is beautifully arranged in the showcase and looks delicious to look at.
This time, I chose “Tanabata Uiro,” which is only available in summer.
It is a black Uiro that looks like the night sky and is sprinkled with chestnuts like stars, and as I love brown sugar Uiro the most, I couldn’t get enough. The Uiro was pleasantly sticky and very delicious.

Toraya Uiro Tanabata Uiro

The registered trademark that we helped to obtain is the tiger mark (Japanese registration number 3058956) used on the packaging and the tiger mark with “ya” (Japanese registration number 4149016) used on the handbag. The trademark registered more than 25 years ago is still in use and continues to support the store.

Toraya Uiro Toraya Uiro

Toraya Uiro celebrated its 100th anniversary in March this year, and will continue to make delicious Uiro for the next 100 years.

Toraya Uiro celebrated its 100th anniversary

By the way, we also recommend the Kotorayaki in the shape of the Toraya logo. It is cute and delicious.

Toraya Uiro Kotorayaki

https://www.torayauiro.com/

Food Loss Prevention “Moonlight” with a reason

  • July 5, 2023
#trademark

The “Morinaga Biscuit” series by Morinaga Seika Co., Ltd. is a biscuit that has been popular for many years.
Among them, “Moonlight” has a sweet and slightly moist texture, and is a particular favorite of mine, so I sometimes like to buy it.
It goes well with tea or milk.

Morinaga Biscuit Moonlight

A check on J-PlatPat shows that it was registered on June 30, 1983, 40 years back from this year (2023), which gives a sense of its long history.
Almost 40 years after the registration date, on June 28, 2023, a product called “Moonlight with a reason” was put on the market.
The product is filled with “moonlight” that has been broken or chipped during the manufacturing process in order to reduce food loss, and the content is about three times larger than the normal amount.
I welcome this kind of initiative because I always break it when I eat it and the content volume is large.
The product will be sold through a mail order site, but I hope that it will also be available at supermarkets and convenience stores. (Time)

Registered trademark “Moonlight”
Japanese Registration number: No. 1596290
Registration date: June 30, 1983
URL:https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/TR/JP-1979-060552/F1A61BF7B3F991657F142A0E7BA6AD413BCEA8E2519E3C59BD7A88B734029160/40/ja

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

Discovery of Client Products

  • May 29, 2023
#intellectual property #trademark

Last week, I went to a large hospital near my workplace for my company’s regular medical checkup. My least favorite part of the checkup is the blood draw. I didn’t want to see the needle being inserted or the blood being drawn, so I distracted myself by looking at the box on the table. The box contained antiseptic cotton for use prior to needle insertion. I looked carefully at the lid of the box and saw that it was a product called ” Alwety ” made by Osaki Medical Co., Ltd.

Osaki

Osaki Medical Co., Ltd. manufactures and sells many products for medical and nursing care, and its products are spread not only in Japan but also in other countries.
Our firm assists in applying for trademark registration of product names and logos. They have an intellectual property department that is getting a lot of attention on TV, and we hope that they will continue to develop products that will benefit the world. （Rabbit)

Osaki Medical Co., Ltd. Website
https://www.osakimedical.co.jp/en/
Alwety Product List
https://www.osakimedical.co.jp/products/csm002_005/
Alwety Public Gazette
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/TR/JP-2002-099430/71176628B80000F0995BB36A0268F1A8EE61E4D09020C19E207F14D4754953D5/40/en

Potato Bag

  • May 24, 2023
#trademark

　”Potato Bag” and “Jagarico Bake-Tsutsi ” are kits for growing potatoes on balconies and other places with only watering, and are sold at home centers. The products are a mixture of fertilizer and soil for growing potatoes, but the appearance of the products has a strong impact, and I feel that Calbee’s brand power is well utilized.
　Our family purchased the potato bags. They also sold “Poroshiri” seed potatoes, but we were told that regular potatoes would also work, so we are growing potatoes that have sprouted as seed potatoes.
　I am looking forward to eating the delicious potatoes I grew myself in a little while! (Marron)

Potato Bag

　”Potato Bag” is a trademark of Calbee Potato Co. and “Jagarico” is a trademark of Calbee Co. “Poroshiri” is also registered as a variety by Calbee Potato Co.
（Reference URL）https://www.calbee.co.jp/newsrelease/221215.php

Manga Guide to “Intellectual Property” Work

  • May 17, 2023
#intellectual property #patent attorney

　The TV drama “Copy That?” was introduced on our blog some time ago. Have you been watching it?

　I watch it every week. By the way, I rarely watch TV dramas. I started watching it “just in case” because I work at a patent firm, but the content was more elaborate and interesting than I expected, and now I even record it every week to watch it (laugh). Personally, I have also learned the difference in perspective between a corporate IP department and a patent firm.

　I started reading the original novels (1 and 2) after watching the drama, and a comicalized version has already been published. It seems to be free to read so far. It looks like the original novel has been shrunk down so much that it can be read in no time at all. If you have read the novel, you may want to put the comicalized version off.

　In the vein of introducing the comicalized version of “Copy That?”, I would like to introduce another work that gives you a taste of “intellectual property” work in manga form.

　One such work is the manga “Heavy Guard,” published by the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA). Unlike “Copy That?” which is from the perspective of a corporate intellectual property department, this one depicts the daily work of a patent attorney from the perspective of a patent firm. Hirokane Production, well known for its “Kosaku Shima” series, is in charge of the artwork. So far, up to the 6th episode has been released, and each episode is divided into a first part and a second part, making it a fast-paced read. Its manga has more technical terms than “Copy That?” but it is not lacking in annotations.

　Although it is different from “Copy That?” and “Heavy Guard” which are easy-to-read manga works for general readers, the JPO has published a manga called “Manga Examination Criteria – AI/IoT Edition –”. This is a “cartoon of the basic concept of patent examination standards” with the “desire to familiarize non-patent experts with patent examination” and so on. The JPO hopes that “those who are interested in fields other than AI/IoT-related technologies” will also find the manga useful, since “the basic concept of patent examination is common to other fields as well”.

　The JPO has also published a manga, “History of Intellectual Property”. It introduces historical episodes of patents, designs, trademarks, etc., and features Korekiyo Takahashi, the first Commissioner of the Patent Office, as well as Japan’s ten greatest inventors. Local libraries have learning manga for children that feature inventions and discoveries, and this one is designed to be read in the same way.
(blink)

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