STONE ROLLS

  • 2024年12月18日
#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)

All About Medicine

  • 2024年12月04日
#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)

Hakuba brand

  • 2024年11月19日
#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

  • 2024年11月11日
#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

  • 2024年11月07日
#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

  • 2024年10月23日
#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

  • 2024年10月17日
#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)

Milk Frother

  • 2024年10月09日
#trademark

 This is an introduction to the trademarks we see every day without thinking. This time, I will be introducing ‘ZWILLING (registered trademark)’. I have been using kitchenware from this brand for a long time. Recently, I think I have been seeing this twin logo more and more. The pots, knives, etc. are functional and well-designed, and the kitchen appliances such as blenders have a simple design without any unnecessary functions, so they are easy to use and I really like them.

 I use a capsule-type coffee machine. Usually, I can drink it black and it’s delicious enough, but sometimes I want to drink it with the kind of foamed milk you see in coffee shops. Also, sometimes black coffee seems too strong for my taste. In these cases, this Milk Frother is very convenient. In Japan, it’s usually called a milk foamer, but it’s basically a milk frother.

ZWILLING Milk Frother

ZWILLING Milk Frother

 The ZWILLING Milk Frother I recently bought can’t be used to make latte art like an espresso machine, but it can easily make fine frothy milk, and it can also be heated, so it can easily make delicious café au lait. I’ve also tried using it with soymilk, and it worked perfectly.

 This summer was long, but recently, it finally feels like autumn is blowing through, and mornings and evenings are becoming more comfortable. This Milk Frother is going to be put to good use.
(blink)

Misonoza

  • 2024年10月02日
#trademark

I went to Misonoza with my family to celebrate Respect-for-the-Aged Day.
Misonoza is a long-established theater in Nagoya City that was rebuilt in 2018, and its modern and impressive architecture is famous as a tourist spot.
The white lattice pattern on the exterior wall is distinctive, and the vivid vermillion of the entrance and the green of the sign and logo mark are eye-catching.

Misonoza
Misonoza
Misonoza

When you search for “Misonoza” on J-PlatPat, you will find 5 registered trademarks.
Of the 4 that were applied for in 1991 and 1992, Japanese Trademark Registration No. 6042219, which was applied for in 2017, is a registered trademark with color. It is used vertically on the exterior walls and entrance pillars (see below).

Misonoza

Unlike the previous four cases, there are many divisions, and the content of the designated goods and the timing of the application show that the management after the reconstruction was taken into consideration.
Although I was unable to stop by, I assume that there are many souvenirs using this registered trademark on display in the attached shop.

It was my first time at the Misonoza, and I had a great time laughing and spending time with my family.
We had Yamamotoya’s miso-simmered udon for dinner, and it was a day full of Nagoya treats♪ (Cacao)

Coleman -THE SUNSHINE OF THE NIGHT-

  • 2024年09月25日
#design #patent #trademark

 Have you heard of Coleman? It is an American outdoor brand (company) that has long been known among campers. I remember using a Coleman gasoline-powered lantern when I was a kid on a camping trip with my family. That lantern lit up the darkness as brightly as daylight. Decades later, Coleman products such as tables and cooking stoves are still in use at the camps I have come to visit with my own children. The photo shows the LP gas cans used for the cooking stove and gas lantern. The white Coleman logo on a red background stands out.

Coleman Lantern Gas

 Research shows that Coleman was founded in Oklahoma around 1900 by William Coffin Coleman. Initially, the company specialized in gasoline-powered lamps, but as electric lighting became more widespread, it developed a gasoline-powered lantern that could be used outdoors, which it began selling in 1914 as the ‘Arc Lantern’. (Wikipedia – Coleman (camping equipment)). Today, a wide range of Coleman products, including tents, are sold in camping supply shops, home improvement centers and online retailers.

 A trademark search on J-PlatPat revealed 136 registered trademarks where the right holder is ‘The Coleman Company Incorporated’. The first registered trademark in Japan (1950), Japanese Trademark Registration No. 387738 (see image), reads ‘THE SUNSHINE OF THE NIGHT’between an illustration of the sun and the Coleman logo letters. Does it refer to a lantern?

Coleman Logo

 Of the 136 registered trademarks, approximately 60 contained the words ‘Coleman’ or ‘コールマン(Coleman in Japanese katakana)’. In addition, there were approximately 100 patent applications and 110 registered designs where the applicant/right holder was Coleman. A large number of intellectual property rights protect Coleman products and services (Hiro).