Japan's move to protect geographical brands(3)

Japan’s move to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to Korea

In fact, it has been alleged that many Chinese have illicitly trademarked or tried to trademark the names of famous Japanese places, names and local specialties in recent years. 

Long-lasted disputes and subsequent legal suits over Kagawa Prefecture(香川県)’s Sanuki Udon(讃岐うどん) between Japan’s Kabashima Shouji(樺島商事) and Taiwan’s Namchow Group are none other than a representative example. 

According to the Japan Patent Office(JPO), actual public notices were given or registrations were made on the basis of applications of third parties in China for 6 Japanese prefectures, Toyama Prefecture(富山県), Fukui Prefecture(福井県), Aichi Prefecture(愛知県), Yamaguchi Prefecture(山口県), Kagawa Prefecture(香川県) and Saga Prefecture(佐賀県). 

Against this background, Japanese government has accelerated its move in two folds since late 2000’s; applying for trademarks in China and coming up with guidelines for related parties in Japan.