Rejection 2024-006916 (JP Appl. No. 2023-38613)

  The applied mark “TANABE CONSULTING” consists of “TANABE” and “CONSULTING.”  “TANABE” is a common Japanese family name expressed in English.  The Examiner further recognized that, in the industry related to the designated services of the trademark application, the term “CONSULTING” has been used as an indication of a business category.

  Therefore, the Examiner refused registration of the trademark application for “TANABE CONSULTING” on the ground that the applied mark lacks distinctiveness.

  The trial Examiners in the appeal determined that the Examiner’s decision was correct.

April 24, 2025

   (Applied Mark: JP Appl. No. 2023-38613)

TANABE CONSULTING (standard characters)

  Business management analysis or business consultancy etc. in Class 35.

  The appeal Examiners reviewed the Examiner’s decision based on dictionaries and online references.  As a result, the appeal Examiners held that the Examiner’s decision was correct.

  We also consider that the JPO’s decision to be appropriate.  We suggest that applicants abroad avoid including common family names in the mark that they would like to file in Japan, as much as they can.