JAPAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ASSOCIATIONASAHI SEIMEI OTEMACHI BLDG.18F
6-1 Otemachi 2-chome
Chiyoda-ku Tokyo, 100-0004, JAPANTEL: 81 3 5205 3321
FAX: 81 3 5205 3391
URL: http://www.jipa.or.jp/March 12, 2021

Mr. Vuttikrai Leewiraphan
Director General
Department of Intellectual Property
Ministry of Commerce
563 Nonthaburi Road, Bangkrasor Muang
Nonthaburi 11000
Dear Mr. Leewiraphan,
Re: JIPA Comments on Draft Trademark Registration Consideration
ManualWe, the Japan Intellectual Property Association “JIPA”, are a private userorganization with about 970 major Japanese companies as members. Whenappropriate opportunities arise, we offer our opinions on the intellectual propertysystem of other countries and make recommendations for more effective
implementation of the systems.
Having learned the Draft Trademark Registration Consideration Manual on yourwebsite, we would like to offer our opinions as follows.
Your consideration on our opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely yours,

Koji SAITOManaging Director
Japan Intellectual Property Association

Fullname: KoJI SAITO
Organization/Address: Japan Intellectual Property Association/ Asahi Seimei Otemachi Bldg.18F 6-1 Otemachi 2-chome,
Chiyoda-ku Tokyo, 100-0004, JAPAN
Tel.: +81-3-5205-3433
E-mail: nagano@jipa.or.jp.

Public Opinion Survey Form on
A Draft Manual for Trademark Filing and Procedure B.E. ....
Chapter 1 General
1. Flowchart on Procedure
2. Definition of Trademark
3. Registrable Trademark
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Chapter 2 Examination and consideration of trademark application
Part 1 Examination of request form and items on the list
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2. Consideration of the list of products and services
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Please send the file, Public Opinion Survey Form, via e-mail to trademark.guideline@gmail.com
by March 10, 2021
3. Consideration of pronunciation and translation
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4. Consideration of markOpinion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..................
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5. Consideration of Rights under Section 28 and Section 28 Bis
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6. Consideration of amendments to the list in the application
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Part 2 Consideration of characteristics that can be registered
1. Consideration of a trademark with distinctiveness
Opinion:To clarify the rule regarding the distinctiveness of trademarks is welcomed and such rule will help
to make a consistent judgement regarding distinctiveness of trademarks. We would like to have

specific reasons why the applied trademark is not distinctive in the examination stage. Furthermore,
if the notice of refusal stating the lack of distinctiveness or the similarity of prior marks is issued, wewould like to have the opportunity to submit to the Examiner a counter-argument against such
refusal firstly before filing it with the Appeal Board from international harmonization standpoint. It
will enable us to overcome such refusal much sooner.
2. Consideration of a trademark containing prohibited characteristics
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3. Consideration of similarity of trademark
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Chapter 3 Consideration of service markOpinion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..................
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Chapter 4 Consideration of certification markOpinion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..................
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Chapter 5 Consideration of collective markOpinion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..................

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Chapter 6 Publication of trademark registration
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Chapter 7 Opposition of trademark registration
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Chapter 8 Important provisions relating to orders of the Registrar
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Annex
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OthersRegarding the non-use cancellation as defined in the Article 63 of the Trademark Act, the burden of
proof on the non-use lies with the applicant. However, it is very difficult for the applicant to prove
the non-use. So, we would like to amend this Article to be read that the burden of proof on theuse of registered trademark lies with the registrant. If the registrant cannot prove the use ofregistered trademark, such trademark shall be cancelled.
Regarding the trademark license as defined in the Article 68 of the Trademark Act, the trademark
license agreement shall become effective upon the registration with the Office. We would like toamend this Article to be read that the trademark license agreement shall not be used against abona fide third party without the registration.