A trademark, unlike a patent or a copyright, protects a recognizable sign, design or expression that identifies a service or product. The most famous of these trademarks are instantly recognizable images that not only identify with a particular product but also have become part of modern culture. Some instantly recognizable trademark examples include the silhouette of an apple with a bite out of it or golden double arches forming a capital M.
Trademarks are a critical part of establishing a brand presence and they carry even more weight in a brand focused economy such as Japan’s. In Japan, trademarks are protected and regulated under the Trademark Law. The Trademark Law is an indispensable part of Japan’s protection for intellectual property, which as a whole, facilitates a safe environment for designers to create and protect their intellectual property without fear of it being stolen or misused.
If you have any questions about trademark law in Japan, please contact our office for a legal consultation.