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Japan's mascot trademark clash rules local fame isn't enough

By Toko Sekiguchi ( April 1, 2025, 08:29 GMT | Insight) -- In a ruling that may prompt local governments and non-profits to accelerate efforts to register trademarks for their unique identifiers, the Intellectual Property High Court has overturned a decision by the Japan Patent Office, allowing a private individual to register a trademark already in use for a local mascot character. In a ruling that may prompt local governments and non-profits to accelerate efforts to register trademarks for their unique identifiers, the Intellectual Property High Court has overturned a decision by the Japan Patent Office, or JPO, allowing a private individual to register a trademark already in use for a local mascot character....

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