Have a Break

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

Blue Lock’s “That Mark”

  • March 8, 2023
#trademark

　“Blue Lock” is a very popular soccer animation in which one world-class striker is chosen by kicking out 299 out of 300 high school FWs. When we checked the trademark, we found that not only the title “Blue Lock” but also “that mark (*)” consisting of five pentagons was registered as a trademark in graphic form only (Japanese registration 6673890, with colors, registration date: 2023/2/21). Indeed, when I see it, I think “It’s a Blulo!”.
　*The “O” in the “LOCK” logo in the photo. The “O” in the “LOCK” logo in the photo is a single color of blue in the trademark.

Blue Lock

　Looking at the application history of this trademark, we see that an amendment was filed in response to a notice of reasons for refusal, and the description of “gemstones” in Class 14 was deleted from the designated goods and services. Coincidentally, I couldn’t help but feel a connection to the fact that Jinpachi Ego, the representative of Blue Lock, calls the gathered high school strikers “gemstones of talent” in the work. (Marron)

Antidote to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

  • March 1, 2023

　Recently, I came across an interesting article in the newspaper. The article is titled, “Gas Poisoning ‘Special Drug’ Expected” (subtitle: Doshisha University Develops Antidote for CO and Other Poisonous Compounds).

https://www.ytv.co.jp/press/kansai/186719.html (Yomiuri TV News (Japanese only))

　According to the article, a team led by Doshisha University professor Hiroaki Kitagishi (organic chemistry) has developed a compound that detoxifies gas poisoning caused by carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen cyanide. The team aims to put the compound to practical use in emergency situations as a “special medicine” against gas poisoning, which is a leading cause of death in fires.

　The press release can be found on the website of Doshisha University, to which Professor Kitagishi belongs. The research results are scheduled to be published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) and will be available online on February 21, 2023 (Japan time). A link to the paper is also introduced, so please take a peek if you are interested. It is an open access paper, so it can be viewed and downloaded for free.

　Since there was a press release, I assumed that a patent application had already been filed, so I searched the Japan Patent Office’s J-PlatPat system for the patent application. I found a registered patent application for a “cyanide antidote. Surprisingly, the right has already expired and is in the public domain.
(Japanese Patent No. 5619500, filed July 12, 2010, registered September 26, 2014, terminated September 26, 2019 due to non-payment of pension).

　In addition, a Google search shows that there is a history of research on antidotes for toxic gases generated during fires that has been conducted since around 2010 by a group at Doshisha University led by Professor Kitagishi and a group at Tokai University led by Professor Akira Kawaguchi. In other words, it seems that the latest version of a compound that has been studied for quite some time has been announced, leading to this article.

　The word “antidote” reminds me of atropine, which became known after the Tokyo Subway Sarin Incident, but I was a little surprised that there could be an antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning as well!
　Carbon monoxide produced in a fire, for example, is colorless and odorless, and has the frightening image of causing death before you know it. I can’t help but hope that the use of antidotes at emergency scenes will be realized as soon as possible and that as many lives as possible will be saved. (blink)

A quick and eye-catching logo mark

  • February 22, 2023
#trademark

Although it will have ended by the time this article is published, February is Valentine’s Day.
I very much look forward to the chocolate fairs held at various department stores every year. This year, in particular, I went to a department store right after the fair started because I had been curious about some chocolates since last year.
The chocolate I had been curious about was the “Suzuno Truffles” sold by the Japanese confectionery Suzukake only during the Valentine’s Day season.

Suzukake "Suzuno Truffles"

As you can see in the photo above, the truffles come in three different flavors (matcha, hojicha, and brown rice) and are presented in a very cute box with colorful flowers on it.

By the way, when you buy sweets at Suzukake, they put your purchase in a paper bag with the following symbol on it.

Suzukake "Suzuno Truffles"

The hieroglyphic character for “ka (meaning:confectionery)” is eye-catching, and many people may recognize this logo.
When I see someone carrying this paper bag, my feet naturally turn to the store and I think, “I’ll buy one too…” This logo has a great advertising effect (at least for me).

The “Ka” logo mark has been registered as a trademark for the designated product “confectionery” (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 6059376, etc.).
(Sakuramochi)

BONSAI

  • February 15, 2023
#design

The other day, I saw a news report that black pine bonsai grown at a bonsai center in Takamatsu City were exported to the EU after two years of cultivation and management. Japanese bonsai are very popular overseas, but the EU had a two-year export requirement from the standpoint of quarantine against pests and diseases.

Incidentally, a bonsai is a work of art that can be cared for in a way that appeals to an individual’s sense of beauty. However, it is not subject to design registration because it uses natural materials and cannot be mass-produced.

BONSAI

The photo shows a maple bonsai that has been in my parents’ garden for 60 years.(Swimmer)

Nagoya Doughnut

  • February 8, 2023
#trademark

　The other day, I received a Nagoya Doughnut. The package is very cute with the orca and castle logo. Furthermore, the doughnut is flavored with Ogura(sweet red bean paste) margarine, which is delicious, and I thought it would be a very nice souvenir as a Nagoya specialty. The Nagoya doughnuts are a product of Meihou Foods Inc. There are numerous products, and I am also interested in their dorayaki(a bean-jam pancake) and manju(steamed bun).

Nagoya Doughnut

　When I checked the trademark registration, Nagoya Donut was not registered, but four of the numerous product names were registered.
　Nagoya Donut is a good name, but I wondered if it would be difficult to register it as a trademark. One of the registered trademarks of Meiho Foods Inc. is “Milky Magic”. This “Milky Magic” is a straw product that changes the taste of milk, and I would like to try drinking milk with this straw.(Raspberry)

Protecting the lives of your precious pets – Japan Animal Referral Medical Center

  • February 1, 2023
#patent #trademark

　About two months ago, my dog (male, 11 years old) looked unwell, so I took him to see his veterinarian, who referred him to the Japan Animal Referral Medical Center for a detailed examination.

animal Hospital

　At the Japan Animal Referral Medical Center, veterinarians in specialized medical fields provide optimal examination, diagnosis, and treatment for sick animals using specialized medical equipment.
　　　https://www.jarmec.co.jp/english/

　“JARMEC”, the abbreviation for Japan Animal Referral Medical Center, and the mark of Japan Animal Referral Medical Center are registered as Japanese trademarks (No. 5075207 and No. 5922959) for the designated service of “treatment of animals”. Japan Animal Referral Medical Center has also obtained a Japanese patent (No. 6840886) for the invention of “The planting inhibitor for cancer cells of dogs”.

JARMEC_Trademark

　As a result of a detailed examination, fortunately no tumor or other abnormality was found in my dog, and he was diagnosed as being under observation for the time being. The index values improved with the administration of medication, and he is now living a healthy life. (Conan)

medical examination

　(Note) The illustration is an image and has nothing to do with the Japan Animal Referral Medical Center.

Electric Salt

  • January 25, 2023
#patent #trademark

　“Electric Salt” is a spoon- and bowl-shaped device that enhances the salty taste of low-sodium food by approximately 1.5 times via stimulation, and was developed through joint research by the laboratory of Dr. Homei Miyashita of the Department of Frontier Media Science, School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences (Miyashita Laboratory) and Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (Kirin). They are currently conducting demonstration tests and aim to launch the “Electic Salt” device in 2023.

　“Electric Salt” is equipped with a unique electric current waveform Electric taste sensation technology, which is effective when a weak electric current flows through a spoon or bowl. I was watching TV during the year end and new-year holidays and noticed that it was featured in several programs.

　I thought that they might have a patent, so I looked it up and found two Japanese applications related to Electric taste sensation, where the applicant is Meiji University and Dr. Homei Miyashita is the inventor. (JP 2021-045399 and JP 2019-212799)
　In addition, the trademark “Electric Salt” has been applied for by Kirin Holdings Company, Limited, and is currently under examination. (Japanese trademark application 2022-088846)

　Japanese people are said to consume too much salt. It is likely to be introduced from the medical and nursing care fields at first, but I would like to try it when it becomes available at an affordable price. (Marron)

Reference article: Meiji University 2022 press release

The thing that was a big hit in 2022.

  • January 18, 2023
#design

Have you ever tried Yakult 1000?
It has become such a hot topic that it is difficult to obtain, and I have visited convenience stores, supermarkets, and pharmacies, but it was still sold out.
I was wondering if it was really effective in “relieving stress” and “improving the quality of sleep” as shown in the commercials, and when I really wanted to try it, I noticed that a Yakult lady came to the entrance of our office every morning and was able to purchase it♪

Yakult 1000

It looks like it comes in a larger container than regular Yakult and tastes a little stronger.
I don’t know if it really ” relieving stress ” and ” improving the quality of sleep ” or if it is a placebo effect, but I personally felt that it somehow improved my sleep quality.

Yakult 1000 is a product of Yakult Honsha Co.,Ltd. (Japanese Design Registration No. 1648553)
I try to drink it only on weekdays, because if I continue to drink it every day, I will develop a tolerance to it and will not feel its effects. (Rabbit)

Yakult 1000 / Y1000 (Japanese only)
Japanese Design Registration No.1648553｜J-PlatPat [JPP] (inpit.go.jp)

Far-infrared graphite heater

  • January 11, 2023
#patent

　I live in Nagoya, where it rarely snows and I, who is sensitive to cold weather, feel comfortable all year round, but this year it has been getting colder in December.
　The living room at home is comfortable thanks to air conditioning, but the coldness of the changing room and washroom, which are only used during bathing and at dawn, has been an issue for many years. I had been holding it back for a long time, partly because I felt a sense of resistance to the idea of using them only for a short time, but this year I finally purchased a far-infrared graphite heater for spot heating that I found in a newspaper flyer.

Aladdin far-infrared graphite heater

　This time, I purchased an Aladdin brand far-infrared graphite heater (two-light tube). Despite its retro appearance, it also has a device that automatically turns off the power when clothes touch it. The moment I turned it on, it warmed up immediately even at a distance, and it seemed to be safe even if I was naked. I am very satisfied with the comfort as if the extremely cold place until now was a lie.
　Incidentally, a few days after the heater was delivered, Nagoya suddenly had its first snowfall (and it was cold enough to record 10 cm of snow for the first time in eight years), but thanks to the far-infrared heater, it was as if nothing had happened.

　Currently, the company that sells Aladdin brand appliances is called Sengoku Corporation. Some time ago, an article was published in the JPO’s public relations magazine, “Patent Vol. 51,” and I would like to introduce it to you.
　According to the article, a major company with which Sengoku had a business relationship suggested “Why don’t you buy our patented technology for ultra-high-performance heaters?” and the purchase of the technology became a turning point in the company’s business.
　Sengoku was originally an OEM specialist for home appliances, but as it enhanced its technological capabilities, it has grown by utilizing the patented technology acquired through the business transfer under the management policy of “bringing in resources that are not available in-house from outside.

　Sengoku’s website introduces the company’s Japanese Patent No. 4739314, and a search on J-PlatPat reveals that there is also a related patent, Japanese Patent No. 5383741 (divisional application of Japanese Patent No. 4739314). Referring to these gazettes, it appears that the “major company” mentioned above was Panasonic Corporation, since (at the time of publication of the gazette) the “patentee Panasonic Corporation” is listed as the “patentee.
　It is said that about half of all patents are unused patents, etc., and the problem is that these patents are so-called “treasure troves”. Since only the patentee is granted a patent for an invention, no one other than the patentee is allowed to work the invention, and the unused patent remains unexercised for the duration of the patent (up to about 20 years). This can be considered a major social loss.
　In this sense, the steps taken by Aladdin Brand and Sengoku Co. might be a great reference for us. (blink)

Der Baumkuchen

  • January 5, 2023
#trademark

Last Christmas, I bought Juchheim ‘s “Der Baumkuchen” as a gift for my family.
I had been interested in it for a long time but never had a chance to buy it, but I happened to see it on a TV program and decided immediately to buy it for Christmas this year!

Juchheim's "Der Baumkuchen" Juchheim's "Der Baumkuchen"

The outer box is Christmas-specific and cute.
The Der Baum, with its attractive bumpy mountain shape, is said to be baked using the same recipe and production method as in the past. As you can see from the names of the ingredients in the images, they do not use vegetable fats such as margarine and shortening, but use butter and no food additives such as expanders, and are made using only natural ingredients, showing their strong commitment to making safe and secure sweets.

Juchheim's "Der Baumkuchen"

The head office is located in Kobe City, but the central factory is actually located in Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture.
I first learned that Juchheim ‘s confectionery was adopted as a tax return gift from Anjo City.

It has been 100 years since Karl Juchheim, the founder of Juchheim, decided to settle permanently in Japan and opened the first Juchheim store in Japan in Yokohama. In 2009, the 100th anniversary of the company’s founding, a trademark application was filed for the Juchheim logo, including “SEIT 1909” printed on the outer box, and a design that appears to represent the bumpy surfaces of a Der Baumkuchen. (Japanese Registration No. 5299158)

Juchheim

I ate too much cake and chicken for Christmas, so it will be a little while before I can enjoy Der Baum with my family. I am very much looking forward to it♪ (Cacao)

The History of Juchheim | Juchheim
Juchheim Der Baum (L) – Details of the gift – Satofull (satofull.jp)

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