[Trademark] 2023 (Gyo-Ke) 10131, “hololive Indonesia” <Miyasaka>
更新日：2 日前
Article information
Article type: Case note
Category: Trademarks
Topics: Distinctiveness, Well-known and famous marks
First published on this website: 2026-11-01
Display and classification checked: November 2, 2026
Originally published on Ameblo: 2025-06-15 (Japan time). Full English translation.
[Trademark] 2023 (Gyo-Ke) 10131, “hololive Indonesia” <Miyasaka>
*“hololive Indonesia” violates Trademark Act Article 4(1)(xvi).
Within “hololive Indonesia,” “hololive” is a coined term capable of distinguishing goods and services, while “Indonesia” is widely known among Japanese consumers as referring to the Republic of Indonesia in Southeast Asia.
The application's designated goods and services span a wide range, including cosmetics, clothing and provision of food and beverages for general consumers, and many have no connection with Indonesia. If the mark is used for goods not produced or sold in Indonesia or services unrelated to Indonesia, the “Indonesia” portion may cause misunderstanding that the goods are manufactured or the services provided there.
Even if the plaintiff argues that the mark is “the name of an Indonesia-based virtual idol group” and that fans are unlikely to be misled, consumers of the designated goods and services as a whole are not limited to the group's fans. Many will associate a mark displaying a country name with the goods' place of production or the services' place of provision.
The plaintiff also argues that the mark is well known based on online subscriber numbers and the like, but that is insufficient given the circumstances in which videos and other content are posted for overseas audiences and the lack of substantiation of recognition in Japan.
Update history
The first-published date remains unchanged. Display maintenance, classification changes, related-article updates, and text corrections are recorded separately.
November 1, 2026: First published on this website.
November 2, 2026: Added article information, classification, topics, language navigation, related articles where the same case was confirmed, consultation guidance, and SEO. The original text and first-published date were preserved.
