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Trademarks in Japan
Protect your brand in a first-to-file market — file early and file right.
Contexte du marché
Japan is first-to-file: whoever registers first generally holds the rights, so early filing at the Japan Patent Office (JPO) is essential. Marks are examined on absolute and relative grounds, and how Japanese consumers perceive your mark — including its katakana transliteration — can matter.
You can file directly with the JPO or extend via the Madrid Protocol. Registering a Japanese-script version of your mark alongside the Latin one often strengthens protection and local recognition.
Notre approche
- Search the JPO register and assess conflicts
- Decide Latin vs katakana (or both) filings
- File with the JPO directly or via Madrid
- Manage examination, renewals, and a watch
Ce que vous obtenez
- Clearance & filing strategy
- Applications (Latin / katakana)
- Renewal + watch calendar
FAQ
- Japan is first-to-file — how fast should I act?
- As early as possible. Rights generally go to the first to file, so delay risks losing your name.
- Should I register a katakana version?
- Often yes — it protects how Japanese consumers actually write and search your brand.
- Direct JPO or Madrid?
- Both work; direct filings can be smoother through JPO examination, Madrid is efficient across many countries at once.
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