I. 2005 Amendments

1. Introduction of Regionally-based Collective Mark Registration System (Effective April, 2006)

1.  Purpose: Activation of local industry through protecting local brands.
2.  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