États-Unis d'Amérique

Japon

Marques de fabrique ou de commerce

5. Please explain whether marks that are not eligible for registration because they are “similar to” registered marks are evaluated using a “likelihood of confusion” standard or using an analysis based solely on whether the marks are similar without regard to the goods or services involved. Please provide information regarding any relevant decisions of administrative or judicial bodies that address this issue.

Under the Japanese Trademark Law, similarity between trademarks in question and prior registered trademarks is evaluated using the "likelihood of confusion" standard. Under this standard, due account is to be taken as regards designated goods or services with respect to which both trademarks are used as well as any identity or similarity between the trademarks and prior registered trademarks themselves. "Hyozan case" is a leading case on this issue decided by the Supreme Court (Minshu 22, No. 2, 399).