Masking tape is incredibly handy for sticking little things or sealing envelopes. Whenever I see cute designs, I just can’t resist buying them.
The masking tape I bought recently had the word “Trademark” printed in very small letters. I looked it up on J PlatPat and found that Nichiban Co., Ltd. had registered the rights for “Petit joie”. (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 5746465)
Of course, just because the printed size is small doesn’t mean the rights are small!
Nichiban, which has a factory in Anjo City, Aichi Prefecture, is famous for “Cello Tape.” It’s so well-known that people often mistake it for a generic term, but “Cello Tape” is also a Nichiban trademark; the generic term is “cellophane tape.” There are several Cello Tape trademarks, with the oldest registered in 1959 (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 546229).
Cellotape is an essential item, and I’d like to buy Petit Joie masking tape again if I find it. (Marron)
Petit Joie Series
https://www.nichiban.com/general/stationery/miscellaneous_goods/petitjoie_masking/
Cellotape (Japanese only)
https://www.nichiban-cellotape.com/