[Trademark] Case No. 2025 (Gyo-ke) 10072

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Article information

Categories: Trademarks

Topics: Distinctiveness

Published on this website: 2026-09-29

[Trademark] Case No. 2025 (Gyo-ke) 10072

[Aoba Dermatology Clinic] (Presiding Judge Nakahira)

*No violation of Article 3(1)(iv) of the Trademark Act.

As to the textual portion "Aoba" in the trademark, it is unclear to consumers whether it is used in the sense of "green, young leaves, fresh greenery," etc., as a surname, or as a place name.

The surname "Aoba" ranks only 5,492nd nationwide, with approximately 1,800 people, and cannot be called a commonplace surname. Nor is "Aoba" found to be well known as the geographical name of a specific place.

The textual portion "Dermatology Clinic" also means that, among medical institutions having "Aoba" in their names, it refers to one providing dermatological treatment, etc., and contributes to distinguishing its services from those of others.

https://lnkd.in/gDK5YTKZ

https://lnkd.in/gKDpg6A9

hanrei-pdf-95274.pdf — courts.go.jp

Originally posted on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7510139864869199872/

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