Monthly Archives: February 2024

EcoCute

  • February 29, 2024

#trademark

At the beginning of February, the water heater in my home broke down and I had to replace it.
I have replaced my EcoCute, which was first installed in 2010.
It broke down suddenly without warning, so we didn’t have time to consider the manufacturer, model, etc. The contractor suggested the quickest possible installation, which was completed in five days.

(Example of EcoCute)
EcoCute

EcoCute has an image of being both environmentally and wallet-friendly, but I took the opportunity to find out a little more about it.

According to Wikipedia, the official name of EcoCute is “natural refrigerant heat pump water heater” and the name “EcoCute” is a registered trademark of Kansai Electric Power Company, a nickname used by Japanese power and water heater manufacturers. In April 2001, based on a basic patent from Denso and other companies, CORONA CORPORATION launched the world’s first EcoCute, and I was suddenly interested to learn that our client Denso was involved in its development.
Further investigation revealed that research technology aimed at developing car air-conditioners using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a natural refrigerant had caught the attention of researchers at the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, who were studying next-generation hot-water supply systems, and members of a TEPCO research team who were looking for new product development, and they decided to launch a project called “Heat pump water heater using natural refrigerants” by three companies from different industries. (For more information, see website below).
Denso EcoCute Development Story｜Technology｜Natural Refrigerant Water Heater EcoCute | Denso (denso.com) (Japanese only)

One of the notable advantages of EcoCute is that it is equipped with an emergency water intake tap, so that the water in the tank can be used as domestic water when the water supply is cut off due to a disaster.
Daikin’s official website states that a 370-litre hot water storage tank can provide a family of four with about three days’ worth of water for emergency use.
Preparing for Disasters with EcoCute｜EcoCute｜Daikin Industries, Ltd. (daikin.co.jp) (Japanese only)
EcoCute is expected to become more and more popular as it reduces the environmental burden, lowers utility costs and helps to mitigate disasters.

By the way, did you know that ‘Kyuto in Japanese, Cute’ in EcoCute is taken from the word ‘Kyutou in Japanese, hot water supply’? I hadn’t noticed that at all! It’s a very good name♪ (cacao)

Baked Sweet Potato ～Beni Tenshi～

  • February 21, 2024

#trademark

When I go to a supermarket or a discount store, freshly baked sweet potatoes are sold regardless of summer or winter, and a delicious smell drifts around the baked sweet potato machine, and I end up buying it.
The other day, I found the familiar ‘Calbee’ logo of the famous snack food company ‘Calbee, Inc.’ on the back of a bag of baked sweet potato I had purchased.

Calbee Kaitsuka Sweet Potato

Curious, I looked up the printed part ‘Calbee Kaitsuka Sweet Potato’ and found that the company was ‘Calbee Kaitsuka Sweet Potato Co’. This company is an affiliate of ‘Calbee, Inc.’, and was the largest sweet potato company in Ibaraki Prefecture, but became ‘Calbee Kaitsuka Sweet Potato, Inc.’.
The baked sweet potato purchased this time is registered as a trademark under the product name ‘Beni Tenshi’. (Time)

Beni Tenshi

●Japanese registered trademark:
Standard character trademark: Beni Tenshi
Registration number: No. 6759317
Date of registration: 4 December 2023
Trademark proprietor: Calbee Kaitsuka Sweet Potato, Inc.
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1800/TR/JP-2023-070198/36693255AF0B68F3576D5DF184115144024C69B862FA852775912DE698002B61/40/en

Copyright

  • February 14, 2024

#copyright #trademark

　The Examination of Copyright Proficiency for Practical Business, which started in 2004, is a test on copyright and is organized by the Certify Copyright Examination Committee. Last year, I passed the Examination of Copyright Proficiency for Practical Business Advanced Level.

Examination of Copyright Proficiency for Practical Business

　The above logo mark indicating the Examination of Copyright Proficiency for Practical Business is a registered trademark (registration date: November 5, 2004, Japanese trademark registration number: No. 4815092) whose trademark owner is Wenet Inc.

　We offer a wide range of support services in addition to consultation regarding copyrights. Please refer to the following list for examples of our copyright support services.

<Copyright consultation>
If you think you may be infringing on copyrights, we can provide you with appropriate advice on copyrights.

<Management of Copyrighted Works>
If you are working in the field of design, we will advise you on how to manage your copyrighted works by yourself or by outsourcing them to a management company.

<Use of orphanworks (works whose copyright holders are unknown) >
For those who wish to use orphanworks, we provide advice on how to find the copyright holder for the adjudication system and other methods to realize the use of copyrighted works.

<Design of products and advertisements>
When creating a product or creating an advertisement, you may be wondering whether the use of an illustration or a phrase does not infringe on your copyright. We can provide advice on copyright infringement, as well as trademark and design rights.

<Copyright registration with the Agency for Cultural Affairs>
We register the transfer of copyrights, the actual name of the author, the date of creation, etc., the establishment of publishing rights, and the transfer of publishing rights. We offer domestic copyright registration, foreign copyright registration, and the drafting of various domestic and foreign contracts.

　Our firm has Patent and Trademark Attorneys and persons who have passed the Examination of Copyright Proficiency for Practical Business Advanced Level. Please feel free to contact us here for consultation or request for copyrights. (Raspberry)

PDF document on copyright: pamphlet-chosakuken202102.pdf (jpaa.or.jp)
Examination of Copyright Proficiency for Practical Business: https://www.sikaku.gr.jp/bc/introduction/

‘Minna no Mori’ Gifu Media Cosmos ~Everybody’s Library and other Cultural-Arts Complex~

  • February 7, 2024

#intellectual property #trademark

　Hello, this is Hiro.
　I received an invitation from my child’s elementary school and kindergarten to visit the Gifu City Art Exhibition, so my family and I went to see the exhibition. The venue was “Minna no Mori Gifu Media Cosmos”. “Minna no Mori Gifu Media Cosmos” is a cultural-arts complex centered on the Gifu City Library, completed in 2015.

'Minna no Mori' Gifu Media Cosmos ～Everybody's Library and other Cultural-Arts Complex～ 'Minna no Mori' Gifu Media Cosmos ～Everybody's Library and other Cultural-Arts Complex～

　The Gifu City Art Exhibition was held in the exhibition space on the first floor of “Minna no Mori Gifu Media Cosmos”. Many paintings, prints, brushstrokes, and other works by children attending nursery schools, kindergartens, elementary and junior high schools, and special-needs schools in Gifu City were on display. Unfortunately, our child’s work was not on display, but it was nice to see many works of art by children with a child-like touch and detailed drawings.

　After viewing the Gifu City Art Exhibition, we went to the library on the second floor. The wooden lattice ceiling and several hanging globes from it are beautiful and make the space very comfortable and cozy.

'Minna no Mori' Gifu Media Cosmos ～Everybody's Library and other Cultural-Arts Complex～ 'Minna no Mori' Gifu Media Cosmos ～Everybody's Library and other Cultural-Arts Complex～

　I had visited this library once a few years ago but did not use it at that time. This time, I made a new user card and borrowed books. I borrowed six books on intellectual property practice and a book on intellectual property for elementary and junior high school students, “Intellectual Property Rights You should Know at School 1-3 “.

'Minna no Mori' Gifu Media Cosmos ～Everybody's Library and other Cultural-Arts Complex～

　”Intellectual Property Rights You Should Know at School 1-3″ is supervised by Mr. Tetsuhiro Hosono, born in Gifu Prefecture who served as Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office from 2009 to 2011. The books are described with many cartoons, figures, and photographs, making it easy for elementary and junior high school students to understand. The book is recommended not only for children but also for adults as a book to learn about intellectual property rights.

　”Minna no Mori” and “Gifu Media Cosmos” are registered as trademarks for services in Class 41 “book rental, art exhibitions,…” and Class 43 “rental of facilities for exhibitions…” (Japanese Registration No. 5522323 and 5522324).

Foreign language ｜ みんなの森　ぎふメディアコスモス – ´Minna no Mori’ Gifu Media Cosmos (g-mediacosmos.jp)