Speaking of Toyohashi’s Specialty…

  • July 24, 2024

#Regional Collective Trademark #trademark

In early June, I had a chance to visit Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture and in the evening after finishing my business, I wanted to eat something gourmet from Toyohashi! I decided to try “Toyohashi Curry Udon” for the first time.
According to the “Five Articles of Toyohashi Curry Udon (Japanese Only),” the main features of this dish are that it contains rice, grated yam, and curry udon noodles in that order from the bottom of the bowl, and that it uses a quail egg produced in Toyohashi.
Different stores seem to offer a variety of “Toyohashi Curry Udon” and the one we had was topped with a deep-fried quail egg, hash browns, and cheese.
The inclusion of rice allowed us to eat the curry roux without leaving any of it behind, so we were quite full. It was very tasty.
“Toyohashi Curry Udon” is a regional collective trademark (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 5990959) of the Toyohashi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Toyohashi Curry Udon

An illustration card of a Capcom character eating Toyohashi Curry Udon was on the tray. The card reads “CAPCOM TRIP TOKAI” and appears to be part of a collaboration project between JR Tokai and Capcom.

CAPCOM TRIP TOKAI

After-dinner desserts are also available♪
Speaking of Toyohashi sweets, “Pirene” is one of them.
We bought some at the Bon Toraya main store and headed home with great satisfaction.
“Pirene” is a registered trademark (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 6137384) of Bon Toraya Co.

Bon Toraya Pirene

Hunny Pirene also had Capcom characters on it.
I checked “CAPCOM TRIP TOKAI” and found that a collaboration project titled “Let’s go hunting in Toyohashi” is being held until July 31, and it looks like you can enjoy exploring the city of Toyohashi with the digital stamp rally “TOYOHASHI QUEST”.
CAPCOM TRIP TOKAI Toyohashi, Let’s go hunting! (Japanese Only)

After returning home, I had a Pirene.
The bean paste butter Pirene was also delicious.
The fluffy texture was great♪ (Cacao)

”Snack-like Tomato” created by a confectionery shop

  • July 17, 2024

#trademark

Chunichi Building fully opened in Sakae, Nagoya on April 23 this year (2024).
Chunichi Building official website (Japanese only) (chunichi-building.jp)
For some reason, tomatoes are sold at the Japanese and Western confectionery stores that have opened here.
The tomatoes are made by Ena Kawakamiya, a company that manufactures and sells sweets using chestnuts, a local specialty, in Ena City, Gifu, in cooperation with local chestnut growers.

Okashina Tomato (Snack-like Tomato)

The secret of its deliciousness:
By reducing the water content to less than half of the normal level, the tomatoes store nutrients in the fruit and increase the sugar content in the small fruit. Pesticides are kept to a minimum.
Tomatoes are harvested at full ripeness and shipped on the same day.
Selected for high sugar content by sugar content sensor.

More impressive than the sweetness was the richness of the tomato flavor.
If you are interested, why not give it a try?
(Time)

Registered trademark:
Trademark : Okashina Tomato (Snack-like Tomato)
Registration No. : No. 6403613
Registration Date : June 17, 2021
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/TR/JP-2019-151717/40/en

Sweet Buns

  • July 11, 2024

#invention #patent #trademark

 Hello. This is Raspberry, Kiku.
 This time, I would like to introduce you to high-grade sweet bean and high-grade jam sweet buns from Yamazaki Baking Co. There are several bread manufacturers, but I would like to focus on Yamazaki Baking Co.
 This is the first time I bought their high-grade sweet bean and high-grade jam sweet buns.

high-grade sweet bean and high-grade jam sweet buns from Yamazaki Baking Co.

 Yamazaki Baking produces not only sweet buns but also Japanese sweets and rice balls.
 The company’s sweet buns have a relatively long expiration date and can be stored for a long time, making them a valuable food in times of disaster.
 Yamazaki Baking Company has been applying for patents since 1972, and for trademark registration since 1954.
 The year 1954 was the year that the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) decided on January 28, 1954 to designate April 18 of every year as “Invention Day” for the purpose of promoting and educating people about the patent system and other industrial property rights systems.
 I felt the history and future potential of intellectual property.

Yamazaki Baking Company (English) https://www.yamazakipan.co.jp/english/businesses/bread/index.html
Japan Patent Office Invention Day (English) https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/introduction/rekishi/hatsumei.html

Salted Olives ~Fragata~

  • July 5, 2024

#trademark

 Salted olives are found in salads, ajillo, pizza, pasta, and other dishes from the Mediterranean region. I bought them because I saw them at an imported food store.

FRAGATA OLIVES

 It is a product of Angel Camacho, the company that owns the Fragata brand. The company is located in a vast olive grove near Seville, Spain, and has accumulated know-how in olive production and processing for more than 120 years since its establishment in 1897 (see “Fragata” page of Yutaka Trading Company Limited)
 ”Fragata” means “Frigate”. Above the word “Fragata” on the bottle label is a mark of a sailing ship that appears to be a frigate.

FRAGATA OLIVES

 A J-PlatPat search revealed that ” FRAGATA ” and “フラガタ/FRAGATA ” are registered trademarks (the right holder is “Grupo Angel Camacho, S. El”). The trademark “FRAGATA” is a registered trademark for “FRAGATA”.
 FRAGATA” was registered on November 28, 1978 (Japanese registration No. 1356727 ) as a trademark for processed vegetables and fruits (Class 29) and fruits (Class 31) etc. “フラガタ/FRAGATA ” was registered on September 21, 1990 (Japanese registration No. 2262810 ) for edible fats (Class 29) and seasonings (Class 30).

FRAGATA OLIVES

 I tried one piece as it is as a snack, and felt the unique flavor and oiliness of olives in a salty taste. It is very good with alcohol. I think they would be very tasty if used in cooking (Hiro).

I see… sensation of coolness

  • June 28, 2024

#trademark

This is Swimmer.
When I was watching the weather forecast on TV before going to work, the program said, “The temperature difference between yesterday and today’s maximum temperature will exceed 10°C, so be careful of heat stroke by using air conditioning in a timely manner”. The program also mentioned “dry mist” as a way to stay cool, and I remembered the first time I experienced it was at the 2005 Aichi Expo in Aichi Prefecture. Standing under the mist, I did not feel wet, but I surely felt cool, and I thought, “This is a new technology”.

It is going to be a hot and humid season from now on, so please take care of your health.

dry mist

“Dry Mist” is a registered trademark of Nohmi Bosai Co.
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/TR/JP-2003-095357/40/en

Toraya Uiro “Tora no Kodou“

  • June 21, 2024

#trademark

Toraya Uiro Inc. located in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, is a long-time customer of our firm.
(Click here for an article we wrote about the registered trademark of “Nama Uiro” and the tiger’s mark.)

I was curious about the product called “Tora no kodou” (tiger’s heartbeat), which was recently registered as a trademark, and bought it when I went out to a department store. I also bought it together with “Kotorayaki”, which is recommended by a member of our firm.

Toraya Uiro "Tora no Kodou“ with "Kotorayaki"

There was no description on the package, but a cute pop-up on the showcase attracted my attention, and it described the product as “a normal half-size product in a package that will last for a long time”.

Toraya Uiro "Tora no Kodou“

Uiro is wrapped in a clear film, in a plastic container, and vacuum-packed in a plastic bag. There is no traditional wrapping paper, but it seems that by placing the product in a plastic container, the shape of the product is kept intact even when vacuumed. The actual product we purchased had six days until its expiration date.

The expiration date of “Nama Uiro,” which contains no preservatives, does not last longer than two days, including the day of purchase, but “Tora no Kodo” has been extended to 10 days.
Using preservatives to extend the expiration date changes the taste and texture. It is wonderful that they have succeeded in extending the expiration date without using preservatives and by keeping the product in a vacuum, while maintaining its delicious taste. I felt their belief in making “Uiro”, which is to meet the needs of the times while preserving the traditional taste.

Toraya Uiro "Tora no Kodou“

Please try it for yourself. (Syszo)
“Tora no Kodou” (Japanese Trademark registration number: No. 6810039)
Toraya Uiro

When you hear the word “Idol”, what comes to mind?

  • June 12, 2024

#copyright

What comes to mind when you hear the word “idol”?
For me, “a song” came to mind before “a person”. That’s right, “Idol” by YOASOBI.

“Idol” was released as the opening theme song for the TV anime “Oshi no Ko,” and even people who do not watch the anime have heard of this hit song. It even topped the Billboard charts in the U.S. as well as Japan.

earphone

I saw an online news that the song “Idol” won the Gold Prize at the 2024 JASRAC Awards by the Japan Music Copyright Association (JASRAC).

medal

JASRAC is a general incorporated association that mainly engages in activities such as management business related to copyrights of musical works and mutual protection of copyrights with foreign copyright management organizations.

Copyright is also an important protection of rights for composers, lyricists, and music publishers. (Rabbit)

Mattress worth more than the price

  • June 5, 2024

#design #patent #trademark

 I am considering buying a new bed. There are many factors to consider when choosing a new bed, such as the comfort of the mattress, whether it is firm or soft, and the material it is made of. When I went to Nitori the other day, I found a “Patent Registered” mark on the “N Sleep Luxury Series” mattress.

 A J-PlatPat search for “Nitori Holdings, Inc.” and “mattress” yielded 11 patents (8 of which were valid), 10 designs, and 16 trademarks related to “N Sleep,” the name of the mattress product series.

 At the store, I could lie down without taking off my shoes, and it was fun to try different kinds of products. I also found out that I prefer “firm” sleeping comfort. Since it is something to use for a long time, so I will carefully consider my choice. (Marron)

Nitori N Sleep Mattress Special (Japanese only)
https://www.nitori-net.jp/ec/feature/nsleepmattress/

Chicken Bento

  • May 30, 2024

#trademark

When I visited Tokyo early this year, I was looking forward to having a ‘chicken lunchbox’ on the bullet train on the way home.
I had seen an exhibition at the Railway Museum about ekiben from all over Japan and was attracted by their retro packaging, and had always wanted to try it.

Chicken Bento

The pop, retro packaging catches the eye.

Chicken Bento

The chicken bento contains chicken rice and fried chicken, and is all about chicken.

The ‘chicken bento’ has a long history and has been on sale since 1964.
It is a long-selling product that has been loved for many years, and the taste is needless to say very tasty. If I ever have the chance to visit Tokyo again, I will definitely buy it.

The eye-catching ‘chicken bento’ logo on an orange checkered background is a registered trade mark for ‘box lunch containing a chicken daily dish’ (Japanese Registration No. 6215958).
(Sakuramochi)

Single-Slice Toaster abien BREAD GRILL

  • May 22, 2024

#trademark

 The abien BREAD GRILL is a single-slice toaster that grills bread between the top and bottom plates. It is a new product developed by Abien, famous for its ‘Magic Grill’ (hot plate). From December 2023 to February 2024, the support purchase project has been listed on the crowdfunding management website Makuake..

https://www.makuake.com/project/abien_bread_grill/ (Japanese only)

 The other day, one of our supporters received the goods at my home. The central part of the front of the lid is marked with the word ‘abien’

abien BREAD GRILL

 Switch on the power and turn the mode selection dial to select the cooking mode QUICK/LOW/HI to preheat the plate. When the preheat complete lamp illuminates, place the bread on the bottom plate, close the lid and press the start button to start baking. When baking is complete and the buzzer sounds, open the lid.

abien BREAD GRILL abien BREAD GRILL
(L:Before baking , R:After baking)

 The bread is baked with both sides in contact with the top and bottom plates, so both sides are baked evenly. As there is no wasted space around the plates, the heat of the plate is efficiently transferred to the bread, it keeps the moisture out. The spring force holding the top and bottom plates together is not too strong, so it keeps the bread fluffy accordingly, without crushing it excessively. The top and bottom plates can be removed and washed in water, making them easy to clean.
 The trademarks ‘abien BREAD GRILL’ and ‘アビエン ブレッドグリル’ are pending registration (Japanese Application 2023-132897, 2023-132898). (Conan)

(Reference: Trademark URL)
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/TR/JP-2023-132897/40/en
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/TR/JP-2023-132898/40/en