[Japan] NEW Examination guideline of similar Goods/Services [13-2026]
A new edition of the examination guidelines of similar goods/services has been published by the Japan Patent Office, on December 12, 2025. The Japan Patent Office will apply the new edition of the examination guidelines to all trademark applications filed after January 1, 2026. After the new examination guidelines take effect, the following goods/services will be reclassified as shown below: Former NEW Class Goods/Service Class Goods/Service 09 High frequency apparatus for welding plastic → 07 High frequency apparatus for welding plastic 12 Door engines for vehicles → 07 Door engines for vehicles 09 Spectacles / Eyeglasses → 10 Spectacles / Eyeglasses 09 Contact lenses → 10 Contact lenses 09 Sunglasses […]
[Japan] NEW Examination guideline of similar Goods/Services [12-2025]
A new edition of the examination guidelines of similar goods/services has been published by the Japan Patent Office, on December 13, 2024. The Japan Patent Office will apply the new edition of the examination guidelines to all trademark applications filed after January 1, 2025. After the new examination guidelines take effect, the following goods/services will be reclassified as shown below: Former NEW Class Goods/Service Class Goods/Service 20 Susa [vegetable fibers used as binding and strengthening agents in construction namely for plaster walls] → 19 Susa [vegetable fibers used as binding and strengthening agents in construction namely for plaster walls] 44 Providing non-medical care services for elderly persons […]
[Japan] NEW guidelines for designated Goods/Services in relation to Metaverse and Non-Fungible Tokens [NFT]
New guidelines for "Designated Goods and Designated Services in relation to Metaverse and Non-Fungible Tokens [NFT]" have been published by the Japan Patent Office. The new guidelines in English can be checked from the following URL: https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/system/laws/rule/guideline/trademark/guideline_virtual-nfts.html Simultaneously, the Examination Guidelines (Chapter 46.02) clarifying the rules for designated Goods/Services in relation to Metaverse and Non-Fungible Tokens [NFT], has also been modified, which can be downloaded from the following URL:https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/system/laws/rule/guideline/trademark/document/syouhyoubin/46-02.pdf The Japan Patent Office will apply the new guidelines to all pending trademark applications and applications filed after March 30, 2024. Since the new guidelines have broaden the scope of acceptable goods/services, we […]