Drive to Hokuriku

  • 2023年06月16日
#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

  • 2023年06月07日
#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

  • 2023年05月29日
#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

  • 2023年05月24日
#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

Flowers and Dumplings

  • 2023年05月10日
#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)

Work of “Intellectual Property”

  • 2023年04月26日
#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”

  • 2023年04月19日
#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)

4D Gummy

  • 2023年04月12日
#trademark

 I found a delicious looking gummy candy at the store: 4D Gummy BLOCKS are gummy candies from KANRO Co., Ltd. (importer).

4D Gummy

The 4D in this 4D Gummy is 3D for 3-Demention and Delicious. The 4D Gummy from Amos are not only a snack, but also a toy, a learning and communication tool. 4D Gummy are both delicious and fun.

 As of today, Kanro Co., Ltd. has 28 Japanese Patent applications, 3 Japanese Design registrations, and 308 Japanese Trademark applications. (Raspberry)

“4D 3D + DELICIOUS”
Right holder: Shenzhen Amos Sweets & Foods Co., Ltd.
Japanese Registration number: No. 6182567
Registration date: September 20, 2019

AmosGummy | Build Yummy Fun with Innovative 4D Gummy Candy

As if it were meat! ~NEXT Kalbi 2.1~

  • 2023年04月05日
#trademark

 The other day, I found an ingredient at a certain member warehouse type store that caught my attention a bit, and I bought it.

 It is NEXT Kalbi 2.1, a meat made from soybeans (alternative meat).
NEXT Kalbi 2.1 NEXT Kalbi 2.1

 Because it is seasoned, it is easy to cook, just a quick pan-frying.
NEXT Kalbi 2.1 NEXT Kalbi 2.1

 How does it taste?
 Very tasty! The look and texture is completely meat! If you taste it carefully, you can smell the slight aroma of soybeans. But if you are not told anything, you might think it is just ordinary meat. Alternative meat has finally entered the 2.1 version.

 Next Meats, the company that markets NEXT Kalbi 2.1 and other alternative meat products, has adopted the philosophy of “Promote the well-being of our planet.”. Next Meats is a Japanese food-tech venture company established to combat the escalating global warming.

 Next Meats has a total of 29 registered trademarks at this time, including “NEXTカルビ” and “NEXTYAKINIKU”. (Hiro)

Next Meats https://www.nextmeats.global/value
About Next Meats https://shop.nextmeats.jp/pages/about

The Mystery of the Dekopon Name

  • 2023年03月22日
#trademark

From winter to spring, I often see “Dekopon” in supermarkets. I sometimes buy Dekopon because it is sweet and tasty, with a distinctive appearance of the head sticking out like a hump. A product called “Shiranui” (Shiranuhi,), which looks like dekopon, can also be found.

デコポン

Both “Dekopon” and “Shiranui” are the result of crossbreeding “Kiyomi” and “Ponkan,” but “Dekopon” is a registered trademark of the Kumamoto Prefectural Fruit Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations (JA Kumamoto Kajitsuren) (Japanese Registration No. 2495156), while “Shiranui” is a common name.

Because the name has a great impact, when you see a citrus fruit with a hump on its head, you tend to say “Dekopon!”. However, “Dekopon” is a type of “Shiranui” citrus that must meet quality standards such as a sugar content of 13 degrees or higher and a citric acid content of 1.0% or lower, and only licensed agricultural organizations are allowed to use the “Dekopon” trademark.

March 1 has been registered as “Dekopon Day” by the Japan Anniversary Association, in honor of the first shipment of “Dekopon” from Kumamoto Prefecture on March 1, 1991. “Dekopon” is also produced in Aichi and Mie Prefectures. (Syszo)

JA Kumamoto Kajitsuren – Trademarks
JA Kumamoto Kajitsuren – Beware of unauthorized use of the registered trademark “Dekopon”
Wikipedia – Dekopon
J-PlatPat – Japanese Trademark Registration No. 2495156