The Trademark Examination Manual

March 2013
Japan Patent Office

The Trademark Examination Manual is based on the understanding that in order to ensure the smooth administration of the trademark system, it is necessary for the examination to follow a certain standard in a uniform, fair and appropriate manner. Based on this perception, the trademark manual has been organized into categories of laws and regulations, handling and material/evidence that are required for the daily administration of examinations. It supplements the Trademark Examination Standards, and as such, both the Trademark Examination Standards and the Trademark Examination Manual prescribe the administration and operation/handling of trademark examinations.

It is from this perspective that the Trademark Examination Manual was prepared by the Trademark Examination Standards Office in March 1981 with the cooperation of related organizations, after studies on the practical operations of the examination, and documents were created by the Trademark Examination Standards Committee established inside the Trademark Division. Since then, in line with the amendments that were made to the Commercial Code, the Trademark Examination Manual has been revised whenever necessary.

Until now, the Trademark Examination Manual was only available to JPO examiners for use as examination material to be used in executing their practical duties. In the view of the need to promote a common understanding both inside and outside the JPO regarding the administration of practical trademark examinations in order to promote the smooth operation of the trademark system, and in response to demands from third parties, the JPO has decided to publicly disclose the Trademark Examination Manual.

The administration of trademark examinations must accommodate the changes in the way goods and services are traded in a society, and must be conducted in a fair and appropriate manner. We will continue to study the current Trademark Examination Manual, while reviewing and adding contents as necessary.

Followings are the English texts of The Trademark Examination Manual in Japan. When any ambiguity of interpretation is found in this provisional translation, the Japanese text shall prevail.

INDEX

Notes (PDF:28KB)

13. Representative

13.71 Drafting in a Case Where an International Trademark Application Does Not Have a Domestic Representative (PDF:17KB)

15. Priority Right

• 15.01 With regard to Examination of Effect of Priority Claim on Application for Trademark Registration Claiming Priority (PDF:236KB)
• 15.02 Regarding the Decision of "Identicalness of Trademarks" for Three-Dimensional Trademarks, Motion Marks, Hologram Marks, Color Marks, Sound Marks or Position Marks Where an Application for Trademark Registration Accompanies a Priority Claim (PDF:136KB)
• 15.03 Regarding the Decision of "Identicalness of Trademarks" Concerning Standard Characters Where an Application for Trademark Registration Accompanies a Priority Claim (PDF:127KB)

16. special provisions concerning time of filing of an application

• 16.01 Handling of Claims for Application of the Special Provisions Concerning the Time of Filing of an Application (PDF:91KB)
• 16.04 Explanation of the Standards for Exhibitions Specified by the Commissioner of the Patent Office (PDF:28KB)

17. New Application Pertaining to Division, Conversion and Declining of Amendment

• 17.03 Handling of the Original Application when an Application has been Converted (PDF:16KB)

18. Re-filings after Central Attack

• 18.01 Handling of Re-filings after Central Attack (PDF:104KB)

19. Procedures Concerning Standard Characters, etc.

• 19.01 Regarding the Designation of the Standard Characters as Provided in Article 5(3) of the Trademark Act (PDF:9KB)
• 19.71 Handling of a Case in which the Applicant Declares that the Trademark Claimed in an International Trademark Application is in “Standard Characters” (PDF:17KB)

20. Examination

• 20.01 Handling Concerning the Conducting of Examination through Interviews (PDF:15KB)
• 20.02 Accelerated Examination System (PDF:35KB)
• 20.03 Operating Procedures for the Case in Which Applicants Request Extension of the Specified Time Limit for Responding to a Notification of Reasons for Refusal by a Written Statement(PDF:73KB)
• 20.04 Suspension of Examination Procedure(PDF:137KB)

25. Trademark Subject to Trademark Registration

• 25.01 Handling of a Case when an Applicant Demands the Application of the Provisions of the Proviso to Article 5(6) of the Trademark Act (PDF:171KB)
• 25.71 Handling of a Case in which a "Transliteration of the Mark," "Translation of the Mark" or "Description of the Mark" was Indicated in an International Application for Trademark Registration (PDF:33KB)
• 25.72 Handling of a Trademark to which a Color or Colors are Applied in an International Application for Trademark Registration (PDF:27KB)

26. Defensive Mark

• 26.01 Regarding the Examination of an Application for the Registration of a Defensive Mark and the Renewal of the Duration of a Right Based on a Registered Defensive Mark (PDF:21KB)
• 26.02 Handling of a Case in which, after Comparing the Application for the Registration of the Renewal of the Duration of a Right Based on a Registered Defensive Mark with the Register, the Applicant is Found to be Different from the Owner of the Right Based on the Defensive Mark (PDF:68KB)

27. Collective Trademark, Regional Collective Trademark

• 27.01 Approach for Registering Collective Trademarks (PDF:160KB)
• 27.02 Handling of Regional Collective Trademarks (PDF:23KB)
• 27.71 Approach to an International Trademark Registration Application Mentioning the Expression “Collective mark, certification mark, or guarantee mark” (PDF:160KB)

28. Trademark Used for Services or Retail Services

• 28.01 Handling of the Indications of Services not Complying with the Attached Table of the Regulation for Enforcement of the Trademark Act (PDF:104KB)

31. Change of Gist

• 31.71 Handling of a Case Where a “Limitation of Goods, etc.” Reported by the International Bureau Changes the Gist (PDF:17KB)

40. Notification of the Reasons for Refusal

• 40.01 Notification of Reasons for Refusal Based on Unregistered Prior Trademarks (PDF:16KB)
• 40.02 Disclosure of the Reasons for Refusal under Article 4(1)(xi) of the Trademark Act (PDF:18KB)
• 40.03 Notification of Reasons for Refusal within the Time Limit Prescribed by Cabinet Order (PDF:18KB)
• 40.04 Notice of Reasons for Refusal Citing a Trademark of which Duration of the Trademark Right Has Been Expired (PDF:86KB)
• 40.05 Notification of Reasons for Refusal Citing a Trademark Relating to a Trademark Right Based on an International Registration Rescinded Pursuant to the Central Attack (PDF:13KB)

41. Article 3 of the Trademark Act

• 41.01 Regarding the operation of the examination in the case of violation of the purport of Article 3 of the Trademark Act (PDF:20KB)

41.100 Main Paragraph of Article 3(1) of the Trademark Act

• 41.100.01 Handling of the Main Paragraph of Article 3(1) of the Trademark Act in a Case in which the Ownership of the Applicant has been Changed (PDF:12KB)
• （41.100.02）How to Describe a Three-Dimensional Trademark in an Application →49.01(PDF:473KB)
• 41.100.03 Regarding the Operation for the Examination for Confirming the Applicant's Use or Intention of Use of a Trademark (PDF:242KB)
• 41.100.04 Application for Trademark Registration that may not be “Used in Connection with Goods or Services Pertaining to the Business of an Applicant” in a High Probability (PDF:147KB)
• 41.100.05 Handling of an Application for Trademark Registration of Which Designated Goods or Services are Those Pertaining to the Business of a Person Who is Substantially Recognized to Be under Control of the Applicant (PDF:149KB)

41.101 Article 3(1)(ⅰ) of the Trademark Act

(41.101.51)Trademarks Related to Foreign Geographical Names →41.103.01 (PDF:33KB)

41.103 Article 3(1)(ⅲ) of the Trademark Act

• 41.103.01 Trademarks Related to Foreign Geographical Names (PDF:29KB)
• 41.103.02 Handling of Applications for Trademark Registration Filed for Trademarks Using Names of Building Structures, etc. (PDF:119KB)
• 41.103.03 Handling of Application for Trademark Registration Consisting of Geographical Names in Japan and Overseas (PDF:137KB)
• 41.103.04 Specific Handling Concerning Examination on Distinctiveness of a Three-Dimensional Trademark →49.02(PDF:770KB)
• (41.103.52)Agreements between Governments Abroad and Japan →88.01 (PDF:973KB)

41.105 Article 3(1)(ⅴ) of the Trademark Act

(41.105.51)Specific Handling Concerning Examination on Distinctiveness of a Three-Dimensional Trademark →49.02 (PDF:770KB)

41.106 Article 3(1)(ⅵ) of the Trademark Act

• (41.106.51)Specific Handling Concerning Examination on Distinctiveness of a Three-Dimensional Trademark →49.02 (PDF:77KB)
• (41.106.52)Explanation of the “Handling of Trademark Application Consisting of Geographical Names in Japan and overseas” →41.103.03 (PDF:138KB)

41.200 Article 3(2) of the Trademark Act

(42.200.51)Handling Concerning Examinations on the Capability to Distinguish Three-Dimensional Trademarks →41.100.02 (PDF:485KB)

42. Article 4 of the Trademark Act

42.101 Article 4(1)(ⅰ) of the Trademark Act

42.101.01 Handling of Foreign National Flags (PDF:158KB)

42.103 Article 4(1)(ⅲ) of the Trademark Act

42.103.01 Interpretation of Article 4(1)(ⅲ) and (ⅴ) of the Trademark Act (PDF:92KB)

42.104 Article 4(1)(ⅳ) of the Trademark Act

42.104.01 Emblems of the Red Cross and Others Stipulated in Article 4(1)(ⅳ) of the Trademark Act (PDF:27KB)

42.105 Article 4(1)(ⅴ) of the Trademark Act

(42.105.51)Interpretation of Article 4(1)(ⅲ) and (ⅴ) of the Trademark Act →42.103.01 (PDF:92KB)

42.106 Article 4(1)(ⅵ) of the Trademark Act

42.106.01 Handling of Universiade Marks, etc (PDF:75KB)

42.107 Article 4(1)(ⅶ) of the Trademark Act

• 42.107.02 Handling of Trademarks that may Represent or be Confused with a State Qualification, etc. (e.g. OOO(Publicly-certified OOO) or OOO(Professor OOO)) (PDF:49KB)
• 42.107.03 Handling of Marks related to Gangs (Gang Marks, etc.) (PDF:21KB)
• 42.107.04 Approach to Application Filed for Registering a Trademark Created after the Name of a Historical Person or Name of a Well-Known or Famous Deceased Person (PDF:72KB)
• 42.107.05 Handling of Applications for Trademark Registration Filed for Marks with Historical, Cultural of Traditional Value (PDF:136KB)
• 42.107.06 Examination approach for a trademark consisting of a family crest (PDF:70KB)
• 42.107.07 Examination approach for a trademark consisting of a famous painting (PDF:27KB)
• 42.107.35 Handling of Trademarks Which are Likely to be Mistaken as an Organization or Institution related to the National Government or Local Government ("XX Council," "XX Public Corporation" or "XX Association") (PDF:41KB)
• 42.107.36 Handling of Trademarks Comprising the Characters "Company" or the Like (PDF:18KB)
• (42.107.51)Trademarks Related to Foreign Geographical Names →41.103.01 (PDF:29KB)
• (42.107.52)Administrative Policy Concerning Protection of Foreign Marks etc. →42.119.02 (PDF:42KB)

42.108 Article 4(1)(ⅷ) of the Trademark Act

• 42.108.01 Handling Of Written Consent With Respect To Article 4(1)(viii)(PDF:259KB)
• 42.108.02 Handling of the Examination of a "Name that is Well Known among Consumers in the Field of Goods and Services for which the Trademark is Used" in Article 4(1)(viii) of the Trademark Act (PDF:45KB)
• 42.108.03 Specific Treatment of the Examination of "Requirements Provided by Cabinet Order" in Article 4(1)(viii) of the Trademark Act (PDF:97KB)
• (42.108.51)Trademarks Related to Foreign Geographical Names →41.103.01 (PDF:29KB)

42.110 Article 4(1)(ⅹ) of the Trademark Act

• 42.110.01 Applying Article 4(1)(ⅹ), etc. of the Trademark Act to a regular application for registering a trademark containing a regional collective trademark (PDF:91KB)
• (42.110.51)Trademarks Related to Foreign Geographical Names →41.103.01 (PDF:29KB)
• (42.110.52)Handling of Materials Related to “Trademarks Widely Recognized by Consumers” →42.119.01 (PDF:25KB)
• (42.110.53)Administrative Policy Concerning Protection of Foreign Marks etc. →42.119.02 (PDF:42KB)
• (42.110.54)Trademark Identical or Similar to Another Person’s Well-Known Trademark →47.101.08 (PDF:68KB)

42.111 Article 4(1)(xi) of the Trademark Act

• 42.111.01 Handling of Identification of the Applicant (PDF:138KB)
• 42.111.03 Handling of Cases where the Applicant and the Owner of a Cited Trademark Right have a Dominance Relationship?(PDF:115KB)
• (42.111.51)Handling of Materials Related to “Trademarks Widely Recognized by Consumers” →42.119.01 (PDF:25KB)
• (42.111.52)Administrative Policy Concerning Protection of Foreign Marks etc.→42.119.02 (PDF:42KB)
• (42.111.53)Determining Similarity between a Filed Trademark and Another Person’s Trademark (Regional Collective Trademark) →47.101.06 (PDF:75KB)

42.114 Article 4(1)(xiiii) of the Trademark Act

• 42.114.01 Handling of Denominations of Registered Varieties of Propagating Materials (PDF:85KB)

42.115 Article 4(1)(xv) of the Trademark Act

• (42.115.51) Trademarks Related to Foreign Geographical Names →41.103.01 (PDF:29KB)
• (42.115.52) Trademarks Using Names of Mountains, Rivers and Building Structures →41.103.02 (PDF:119KB)
• (42.115.53) Handling of Materials Related to “Trademarks Widely Recognized by Consumers” →42.119.01 (PDF:25KB)
• (42.115.54) Administrative Policy Concerning Protection of Foreign Marks etc. →42.119.02 (PDF:42KB)
• (42.115.55) Approach for Determining the Potential Confusion over the Source of Goods and Services Connected to the Business between the Applicant and Another Person (Regional Collective Trademark) →47.101.09 (PDF:38KB)
• (42.115.56) Applying Article 4(1)(x), etc. of the Trademark Act to a Regular Application for Registering a Trademark containing a Regional Collective Trademark →42.110.01 (PDF:91KB)

42.116 Article 4(1)(xvi) of the Trademark Act

• (42.116.51) Trademarks Related to Foreign Geographical Names →41.103.01 (PDF:29KB)
• (42.116.52) Trademarks Using Names of Mountains, Rivers and Building Structures →41.103.02 (PDF:119KB)
• (42.116.53) Descriptions of the Designated Goods or Services with Respect to the Relationship with “the Name of the Region”(Regional Collective Trademark) →47.101.07 (PDF:17KB)
• (42.116.54) Agreements between Governments Abroad and Japan →88.01 (PDF:973KB)

42.117 Article 4(1)(xvii) of the Trademark Act

• 42.117.01 Interpretation of Article 4(1)(xvii) of the Trademark Act based on the TRIPS Agreement (PDF:83KB)
• 42.117.02 Designation of the Place of Origin based on the Provision under Article 4(1)(xvii) of the Trademark Act (PDF:284KB)
• 42.117.03 Examples of Marks that Indicate the Origin of Wines or Spirits Produced in World Trade Organization (WTO) Member Countries (PDF:17KB)
• (42.117.51) Agreements between Governments Abroad and Japan →88.01 (PDF:973KB)

42.118 Article 4(1)(xviii) of the Trademark Act

• 42.118.01 Handling of a Three-dimensional Shape Essential to the Functions of Packaging of Goods (Article 4(1)(xviii) of the Trademark Act) (PDF:19KB)

42.119 Article 4(1)(xix) of the Trademark Act

• 42.119.01 Handling of Materials Related to “Trademarks Widely Recognized by Consumers” (PDF:25KB)
• 42.119.02 Handling Concerning Protection of Foreign Marks etc. (PDF:44KB)
• 42.119.03 Examination concerning Article 4(1)(xix) of the Trademark Act (PDF:20KB)

42.400 Article 4(4) of the Trademark Act

• 42.400.01 Handling of Examinations Concerning Exceptions to Another Person’s Registered Trademark Applied for Prior to the Filing Date of the Trademark Application Concerned (PDF:98KB)
• 42.400.02 Handling of Materials Relating to Claims under Article 4(4) of the Trademark Act (PDF:128KB)

44. Applications Filed on the Same Date

• 44.01 Handling of the Lottery Provided in Article 8(2), (4) and (5) of the Trademark Act (PDF:28KB)
• 44.02 The Method of Conducting the "Lottery" prescribed in Article 8(5) of the Trademark Act where the Competitive Relationship is Complicated (PDF:154KB)

45. Overlapping Application

• 45.71 Handling of Special Provisions for Time of Filing Application for International Trademark Registration under Article 68-10 of Trademark Act (PDF:61KB)

46. Article 6 of the Trademark Act

• 46.01 Administration of Examinations of Designated Goods or Services (PDF:217KB)
• 46.02 Designated Goods and Designated Services Related to Virtual Environments and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)(PDF:154KB)

47. Article 7-2 of the Trademark Act

• 47.101.01 A Trademark Filed for Registering a Regional Collective Trademark Which is Entitled to be Registered (PDF:128KB)
• 47.101.03 The State of being Well Known of Regional Collective Trademarks Related to Foreign Geographical Names (PDF:13KB)
• 47.101.04 Trademarks Composed only of a Regional Name and a Goods or Service Name, etc. (PDF:47KB)
• 47.101.05 Names of Regions in the Trademarks Having a Close Relationship with the Goods or Services (PDF:13KB)
• 47.101.06 Determining Similarity between a Filed Trademark and Another Person’s Trademark (PDF:75KB)
• 47.101.07 Descriptions of the Designated Goods or Services with Respect to the Relationship with “the Name of the Region” (PDF:17KB)
• 47.101.08 Trademark Identical or Similar to Another Person’s Well-Known Trademark (PDF:68KB)
• 47.101.09 Approach for Determining the Potential Confusion over the Source of Goods and Services Connected to the Business between the Applicant and Another Person (PDF:38KB)
• 47.101.10 Members of the Collectives Connected to Regional Collective Trademarks (PDF:22KB)
• (47.101.51) Applying Article 4(1)(x), etc. of the Trademark Act to a Regular Application for Registering a Trademark containing a Regional Collective Trademark →42.110.01 (PDF:91KB)

48. Renewal

• (48.51) Handling of Identification of the Applicant →42.111.01 (PDF:66KB)

49. Three-Dimensional Trademark

• 49.01 How to Describe a Three-Dimensional Trademark in an Application (PDF:453KB)
• 49.02 Specific Handling Concerning Examination on Distinctiveness of a Three-Dimensional Trademark (PDF:770KB)
• 49.03 Determining Similarity of Three-Dimensional Trademarks Relating to Three-Dimensional Shapes of the Outer Appearance or the Interior of a Store, etc. (PDF:194KB)

52. Motion Trademark

• 52.01 How to Describe a Motion Trademark in an Application(PDF:461KB)

54. Color Per Se Trademark

• 54.01 How to Describe a Color Trademark in an Application (how to fill out the trademark representation section)(PDF:578KB)
• 54.02 How to Describe a Color Trademark in an Application (how to fill out the section "Detailed explanation of the trademark")(PDF:90KB)
• 54.03 Application for a Color Trademark Consisting of a Gold Color, etc.(PDF:71KB)
• 54.04 Application for a Color Trademark Defined by Multiple Images or Photographs(PDF:120KB)
• 54.05 Color Sample Book Used to Define a Color Trademark in an Application(PDF:12KB)
• 54.06 Evidence to Prove That a Color Trademark Has Acquired Distinctiveness Through Use(PDF:27KB)
• 54.07 How to Prove That a Color Trademark Has Acquired Distinctiveness　Through Use (Determination on the Identicalness between Colors)(PDF:22KB)
• 54.08 Transactional Practices Taken into Consideration in an Examination of a Color Trademark under Article 4(1)(xi)(PDF:34KB)

55. Sound Trademark

• 55.01 How to Describe a Sound Trademark in an Application and the Required Attachment(PDF:114KB)
• 55.02 How to Describe a Sound Trademark in an Application　(in the form of a staff)(PDF:276KB)
• 55.03 How to Describe a Sound Trademark in an Application　(by use of words)(PDF:29KB)
• 55.04 How to Describe a Sound Trademark in an Application　(by use of a staff in combination with words)(PDF:77KB)

56. Position Trademark

• 56.01 How to Describe a Position Trademark in an Application(PDF:397KB)
• 56.02 Application Showing a Position Trademark by Presenting Multiple Images or Photographs(PDF:186KB)
• 56.03 Distinctiveness of a Position Trademark(PDF:139KB)

85. Laying Open of Applications

• 85.01 "Trademarks that are Likely to Cause Damage to Public order or morality" and "Designated Goods or Designated Services that are Likely to Cause Damage to Public order or morality" Associated with Publication of Unexamined Applications (PDF:24KB)
• 85.71 Handling concerning Preparation of Translations of Designated Goods of Designated Services Claimed in an International Application for Trademark Registration and Their Publication in a Gazette, etc. (PDF:43KB)

88. Agreements between Foreign Governments, etc. and Japan

88.01 Agreements between Foreign Governments, etc. and Japan (PDF:226KB)

89. Offering Information

• 89.01 Offering Information concerning an Application for Trademark Registration (PDF:92KB)
• 89.02 Offering Information Concerning a Mark Indicating a State, a Local Public Entity, or an Organization, etc. Working in the Public Interest (PDF:113KB)
• 89.03 Offering information concerning the prize of an exhibition (PDF:101KB)

A1.Basic Registration or Basic Application

A1.01 Handling of Two or More Basic Trademark Registrations or Trademark Applications (PDF:17KB)

A2. Trademark Claimed in International Application

• A2.01 Handling Concerning the Identicalness of a Trademark Claimed in an International Trademark Application and the Trademark of the Basic Registration or Application (PDF:767KB)
• A2.02 Handling Concerning Identification of Trademarks when the Basic Registration or Basic Application is a Three-Dimensional Trademark (PDF:78KB)
• A2.03 Handling Concerning Declaration of Standard Characters and Identification of Trademarks Regarding an International Application when the Trademark Claimed in the Basic Registration or Basic Application is in Standard Characters (PDF:93KB)
• A2.04 Handling Concerning the Identicalness of a Trademark which Has Color as a Constituent Element (PDF:83KB)
• A2.05 Handling of Transliteration of a Trademark Claimed in an International Trademark Application (Notation in Alphanumerical Characters Other than Roman Letters, and Arabic or Roman Numerals) (PDF:47KB)
• A2.06 Handling of Translation of a Trademark Claimed in an International Trademark Application (PDF:13KB)
• A2.07 Handling of the Description of a Trademark Claimed in an International Trademark Application (Excluding the Detailed Explanation of the Trademark Provided in Article 5(4) of the Trademark Act) (PDF:106KB)
• A2.08 Handling of Claims concerning the Description and Colors of the Trademark Claimed in an International Trademark Application (Detailed Explanation of the Trademark Provided in Article 5(4) of the Trademark Act) (PDF:75KB)

A3. Goods or Services Claimed in an International Application

• A3.01 Handling Concerning the Identification of Goods or Services Related to an International Trademark Application (PDF:83KB)
• A3.02 Handling Concerning the Description of Classes in an International Trademark Application (PDF:62KB)
• A3.03 Handling of a Case in which the International Bureau Notifies Irregularities in the Description of the Goods and Services for which International Registration is Sought (PDF:74KB)

A8. Notification to the International Bureau

• A8.01 Notification to the International Bureau in a Case in which All or a Part of the Designated Goods or Designated Services Concerning the Basic Registration or Basic Application have Expired (PDF:129KB)
• A8.02 Report to the International Bureau in a Case in which the Basic Registration or Basic Application is Divided (PDF:17KB)

Appendices

• Appendix1  List of Standard Characters (PDF:1,147KB)
  (→19.01) (PDF:17KB)
• Appendix 2 Trademarks Indicating a Place of Origin of Wines or Spirits of WTO Member Countries (PDF:182KB)
  (→42.117.03) (PDF:17KB)

[Last updated 9 August 2024]

Contact Us

Japan Patent Office, Trademark Division FAX:+81-3-3580-5907 E-mail:PA1T00@jpo.go.jp