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

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)

Flowers and Dumplings

  • May 10, 2023
#trademark

In April, I visited the cherry blossom festival in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture.

cherry blossom festival in Okazaki

I had been to Okazaki several times before, but this time the area around Okazaki Castle was full of tourists and more lively than usual, probably due to the influence of the historical drama “What Will You Do, Ieyasu? “.

Although it had been a few days since the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, it was beautiful to see them while walking along the wide Oto River.

cherry blossom festival in Okazaki

On the way back from Okazaki, we stopped by the main store of the long-established confectioner “Bizen store”.
I bought several sweets including “Tefukin no shirabe,” a favorite of mine since childhood, and headed home with a smile on my face.
It was a very satisfying day of cherry blossom viewing and eating delicious sweets.

Tefukin no shirabe

The trademark “Tefukin no shirabe” was registered on November 7, 1997 for the designated goods “confectionery and a bread” (Japanese registration No. 3356611).

According to J-platpat, the oldest registered trademark currently held by Bizen store, a general partnership, is “Kodai Aoi” (Japanese Registration No. 259544), which was registered in 1934.
I can feel the history of the brand, which has been carefully protected from 1934 to the present. Next, I would like to try the “Kodai Aoi Mochi” which uses this trademark.
(Sakuramochi)

The Corona Era and the Common University Entrance Test

  • May 1, 2023
#intellectual property

　More than three years have passed since the era known as the Corona Disaster began in the latter half of January 2020; January 2020 was also the time when the last National Center Test for University Admissions was held. The following year, in 2021, the National Center Test for University Admissions was replaced by the Common University Entrance Test, and the third test was held in January of this year. As if in step with the Corona Era, the Common University Entrance Test has been conducted year after year.

　This year, Question 7 of the first question in Contemporary Society asked about appropriate policies regarding the relationship between patent rights related to drugs developed in developed countries for the treatment of “certain intractable diseases” and the use of such drugs in developing countries.

Excerpt from the question

　Developed countries have developed a cure for a certain intractable disease and the number of deaths has decreased significantly, whereas developing countries cannot afford to purchase the expensive cure, nor can they pay the high patent fees and manufacture it in their own countries. (omitted)
　Patent protection is important for developers of therapeutic drugs to recover the huge amount of money invested in new drug development and to conduct new research and development. (omitted) A policy of [ ] is appropriate to make therapeutics available now to people in developing countries without harming the interests of patent holders.

The correct choices to put in [ ] are as follows

　International organizations such as the World Health Organization use funds contributed by developed countries and philanthropic organizations to purchase therapeutic drugs and supply them to developing countries

　Although the question blurs the term “a certain incurable disease,” it is clear that the questioner is thinking of the coronavirus. It is assumed that this question was created based on the “Unit-Aid” concept, which was reportedly proposed by then Prime Minister Abe and considered by the G7 in May 2020.

https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/20200622-OYT1T50161/ (Japanese only)
https://www.sankei.com/article/20200704-WRHVX2QXPROZVOZWJZ3BIGAXDU/ (Japanese only)

　Two and a half years have passed since the event in the real world, and the question may have been posed at a time when the evaluation of the options has become socially established. As someone involved in intellectual property, I would be happy if the examination questions like this could help students to take an interest in the patent system. (Conan)

　(Note) The illustration is an image and has nothing to do with the questions of the Common University Entrance Test.

Work of “Intellectual Property”

  • April 26, 2023
#design #intellectual property #patent #trademark #utility model

The TV Drama series “Isn’t that Plagiarism?” has started!
I have been looking forward to the drama even more after reading the original novel. I am writing this article after the first episode aired, but I am very much looking forward to the future development of the drama as it has been reconstructed for the drama and there are many parts that differ from the original story from the very first episode. I was impressed by the lines “patents are a battle of words” and “the job of intellectual property is to protect the crystallization of someone else’s sweat and tears”.

In the first episode of the drama, the company where the main character works does not yet have an intellectual property department (IP department). How will the activities of the newly established IP department be depicted in the second and subsequent episodes? I think the content will be realistic as it is supervised by a patent attorney, so you will be able to gain knowledge that you can learn while enjoying the drama.

The original story has a subtitle “The Work of a New Intellectual Property Department Employee”.
I think it will help those companies that do not have an IP department but have a development department or a general affairs department that is concurrently in charge of IP. We would like to better understand the role of the IP department at our firm and utilize this information to provide services that are needed by our customers.

Isn't that Plagiarism? Isn't that Plagiarism?

By the way, the JPO also paid attention to this drama and tweeted about it.
It seems that they also cooperated in the filming of the drama, and you can see places that are not usually seen at the JPO. This is also noteworthy♪ (Cacao)

https://www.ntv.co.jp/sorepaku/original/ (Japanese only)
https://shueisha.online/culture/121224 (Japanese only)
http://www.jipa.or.jp/coffeebreak/hitokoto/hito2303.html (Japanese only)
https://twitter.com/jpo_NIPPON/status/1645696954343788545

The “Genkotsu Hamburger Steak” and the “Bomb Hamburger Steak”

  • April 19, 2023
#trademark

Hamburg steak is a favorite of men and women of all ages.
It originated in Hamburg, Germany around the 18th century, and the earliest reference to hamburger steak served to the general public in Japan is said to be the Sanuki Railway’s menu, a dining car receipt dated December 1902 (from Wikipedia). That is more than 120 years ago. Today, hamburger restaurants specializing in hamburgers are located in various parts of Japan, and each seems to have become popular in its own way.

Sumiyaki Restaurant Sawayaka, a restaurant in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a hamburger steak restaurant that became nationally known about 15 years ago when it was introduced on a national TV program.
Since there are no stores in other prefectures in Japan and reservations are not possible, customers from outside of the prefecture tend to line up on weekends and national holidays. Some people are heard to say, “I waited in line for five hours.

The most popular menu item at this restaurant is the “Genkotsu hamburger steak.” The hamburger steak is placed on a steak plate on a griddle, and the waiter cuts it into two pieces in front of you. The sound and smell of the rare part being cooked makes the dish even more appetizing!

Genkotsu hamburger steak

By the way, I recently learned that the “bomb hamburger steak” served at a restaurant called “Flying Garden” is famous in the northern Kanto region.
I have never had a “bomb hamburger steak” so I am very curious about it. I would like to try it if I have a chance.
By the way, both menus are registered under the following trademarks. (Time)

Genkotsu Hamburger Steak
Right holder : Sawayaka Corporation Ltd.
Japanese Registration number : No. 3364234
J-PlatPat_Genkotsu Hamburger Steak
J-PlatPat (Patent Information Platform)

Bomb hamburger steak
Right Holder : Flying Garden Co.
Japanese Registration No. : No. 3002310
J-PlatPat_Bomb hamburger steak
J-PlatPat (Patent Information Platform)

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