HOME > IP INFORMATION > Patent & Utility Model > Reports & Topics > Recent Major Amendments to Japanese Industrial Property Laws > I. 2005 Amendments
Recent Major Amendments to Japanese Industrial Property Laws
July 18, 2006
I. 2005 Amendments
1. Introduction of Regionally-based Collective Mark Registration System (Effective April, 2006)
(i) Purpose: Activation of local industry through protecting local brands.
(ii) Outline: “Regionally-based collective mark”
--- A word mark consists of a regional name and a name of goods/services.
The distinctiveness requirements have been relaxed under certain conditions to protect a regional brand at its stage of development (i.e. not known nationwide but within a defined area).
For more information, please see Japan Patent Office Annual Report 2005 Part 1 Chapter 2.
Outline of the New System
(C)Copyright:2006 Japan Patent Office