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- Written by Patent Attorneys, Patent Engineers, Trademark Engineers, Translators, and Administrative staff -

Atsuta Miyamochi

  • May 22, 2025
#trademark

Have you heard of “Atsuta Miyamochi”?
It is a type of mochi sold at the Atsuta Tsuitachi Market (*), held on the first day of every month at Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture (in May, June, and November, it is held at Akibasan Entsu-ji Temple), and has become a local specialty.

Atsuta Miyamochi

What makes this mochi so special is that it was jointly developed by four long-established companies in Atsuta (Atsuta Houraiken, Kiyome Mochi Sohonke, Myoukouen, and Kameya Yoshihiro).

Atsuta Miyamochi

Take a look at the logos of each company printed on the packaging of “Atsuta Miyamochi.”

Atsuta Miyamochi

Atsuta Miyamochi

The fact that these four companies are involved instills an overwhelming sense of trust, making one think, “If these four companies are involved, the taste must be guaranteed.”
I could directly feel the “history” and “trust” accumulated in the trademark of each company.

The mochi inside comes in a box of five pieces (with a sweet and salty sauce), two of which change monthly.

Atsuta Miyamochi

The one I purchased this time was for April, and the monthly changing mochi for April was called “Hana Mankai.” The pale pink and light green colors are very cute. I would love to try the “Atsuta Miyamochi” from other months as well.

“Atsuta Miyamochi” is a registered trademark for “mochi confectionery” registered on March 17, 2017, by Kiyome Mochi Sohonke Co., Ltd. (Japanese Trademark Registration No. 5933143).

※ Atuta Tsuitachi Market website (Japanese only): https://atsuta-miyashuku.com/wp/tsuitachi/

Why not register your important product or service name as a trademark?
For consultations or requests regarding trademark registration, please feel free to contact us here.
Individual customers are also welcome. (Sakuramochi)

“My Number Driver’s License” and Mobile Driver’s License

  • May 19, 2025
#patent

　On March 24, 2025, the ‘My Number Driver’s License,’ which integrates the My Number Card and driver’s license, began operation. Since it was time to renew my driver’s license, I applied for both the regular driver’s license and the My Number Driver’s License. At the driver’s license examination center, after completing the renewal procedures, vision test, photo, and renewal lecture, you receive the standard new driver’s license. Those who wish to obtain the My Number Driver’s License then proceed to another room to have the electronic driver’s license information written onto their My Number Card. Additionally, you must access the My Number Portal after that day to complete the linkage process.

AICHI PREFECTURAL POLICE DRIVER'S LICENSE CENTER

　By the way, both the regular driver’s license and the My Number driver’s license are issued as IC cards containing the driver’s information. However, globally, there are discussions about storing the information on a smartphone and using it as a mobile driver’s license. Patent No. 7003740 “Mobile Driver’s License and Portable Terminal Device” (Patent Holder: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.) describes an invention where a public key certificate signed with a public key linked to driver’s license information is provided to a portable terminal device from a terminal authentication server, thereby enabling the portable terminal device to function as a mobile driver’s license.
　In the future, if fully automated driving becomes a reality, there may come a time when driver’s licenses are no longer needed. However, until then, technological development related to driver’s licenses will likely continue for some time. (Conan)

(Reference Site (Japanese only))
https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/menkyo/oshirase/individual_number.html

Myaku Myaku-san♪~Official Character’s Intellectual Property and Secondary Creations~

  • May 15, 2025
#design #trademark

The Osaka-Kansai Expo has finally opened!
The event will last for six months, including the hot summer months, but we hope everyone will take proper precautions against the heat and enjoy the event to the fullest.

The official character, Myaku Myaku-san♪
With its bold red and blue colors and numerous eye-catching features, the design initially felt a bit eerie, but now that I’ve grown accustomed to it, I find it incredibly cute.
Myaku Myaku merchandise has started appearing in department stores and bookstores. Curious to purchase something as a memento, I looked into it and discovered that capsule figures are available! These are Myaku Myaku figures. I absolutely must have one!!
It seems to have been re-released in April, but I haven’t been able to find it anywhere… Even when I do find it, it’s already sold out.

By the way, the official website for the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo (Official character | Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Official Website) has guidelines for secondary creations.
Cute characters are irresistible to draw, but in today’s social media age, more people seem to share their creations on social media or support their favorite characters online rather than drawing them on paper and showing them to friends.
However, since secondary creation has some gray areas, having clear guidelines like these allows creators to enjoy their work with peace of mind, and if the works gain popularity, it could also bring significant benefits to the Expo organizers.
When searching for the applicant “Public Interest Incorporated Association 2025 Japan International Exposition Association” on J-PlatPat, five design patents and 60 trademark registrations were found.
The design of Myaku Myaku is protected by three design patents as icon images and plush toys.
Additionally, multiple trademarks related to Myaku Myaku have been filed, including basic illustrations (e.g., No. 6656708) and standard characters such as “ミャクミャク” and “MYAKU-MYAKU,” which are registered across all 45 classes. Trademarks are also fully protected.
I considered drawing Myaku-Myaku and using it as an illustration for this blog, but according to the guidelines, permission is limited to personal social media or blog posts (or individual inquiries may be required), so I decided to give up…
While admiring various Myaku-Myaku designs, I will pray for the success of the Expo and the re-release of the capsule figures! (Cacao)

【Postscript】
After submitting this blog post, I managed to get my hands on the Myaku Myaku capsule figure!! It’s the reverse color version! So cute…
Apparently, a portion of the sales from official licensed products will be used for the Expo.
Thank you so much to Rabbit who found the gacha machine and gave it a spin♪

MYAKU-MYAKU

MYAKU-MYAKU

Correction fluid

  • May 12, 2025
#Inventions of the Day

　Today (May 12, 2025), I will introduce an invention closely related to this date. The invention I will introduce today is ”correction fluid”.
　May 12 is the death anniversary of Bette Nesmith Graham (March 23, 1924 – May 12, 1980), who is known as the inventor of correction fluid.

　In the 1950s, typewriters were widely used in the United States. However, once a typo was made, it was necessary to retype the entire document from the beginning, which was a time-consuming and tedious process. As a result, there was a growing demand for an easy way to correct typos.

　Nesmith, who was a typist, is said to have come up with the idea of using the same color as the typewriter paper to cover up mistakes while watching a painter decorate a bank window. She discovered that mixing tempera paint with water and applying it with a watercolor brush could correct mistakes so effectively that his supervisor couldn’t notice them. She began using this method and later started selling the product under the name “Liquid Paper” in 1958.

　This marked the beginning of the widespread use of correction fluid worldwide. In Japan, it was also extensively improved, and today, correction tape-type products are widely used, as is well known. I found an article that succinctly summarizes this history, so I will share it here.

correction fluid

　Nesmith was also recognized for her significant contributions that had previously been overlooked. After death, she was honored with an obituary in The New York Times, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a lengthy tribute article about her. (blink)

California Rice ~Calrose~

  • April 23, 2025
#trademark

　Hello, this is Hiro.
　Rice prices have been rising recently. The other day, I saw some US rice on sale at a certain membership-based warehouse store, so I decided to give it a try.

California Rice~Calrose

California Rice~Calrose

　This rice, “Calrose,” is said to be a type of medium-grain Japonica rice famous in the Sacramento Valley of California. It appears slightly longer and thinner than Japanese rice. When cooked, it feels slightly less moist but not dry, and the texture and taste are similar to the Japanese rice I usually eat.

California Rice~Calrose

　In the center of the rice bag, there is a trademark featuring a design resembling rice ears, with the words “100% ORIGINAL,” “CALIFORNIA,” and “RICE” displayed above circular and rectangular shapes. Upon checking J-PlatPat, I found that this trademark is identical to a registered trademark.

California Rice~Calrose

Japanese Trademark Registration Number: No. 6176480
Registration date: August 30, 2019
Registrant: California Rice Commission
Designated goods: Rice produced in the State of California, United States

It appears that this trademark was initially refused registration under Article 4, Paragraph 1, Item 16 of the Trademark Law (misleading as to quality), but it was ultimately registered after the designated goods were amended to “rice produced in the State of California, United States.” If this trademark had not included any graphical elements such as rice ears and had been composed solely of the words “100% ORIGINAL,” “CALIFORNIA,” and “RICE,” it would likely have been deemed lacking in distinctiveness, and even if the designated goods had been amended, the grounds for refusal would not have been resolved.

　At our firm, when we receive a request for trademark registration, we strive to provide advice in advance (prior to filing) on potential grounds for rejection that may arise during the examination process, including countermeasures and alternative options. If you are considering filing a new trademark registration application, please feel free to contact us.

Household Account App

  • April 15, 2025
#design #patent

Do you know about household account apps? In the past, keeping a household account meant writing down each expenditure in a dedicated notebook, which was time-consuming and laborious. However, there are now several household account apps that are linked to cashless payment systems. I have been using the Money Forward ME household account app for several years now.

MoneyForward ME

This app can be linked to various electronic payment services such as credit cards, so it saves time and effort when entering data. If you use cash, you can also enter it manually. Except for shops where you can only use cash, I use cashless payment almost all the time, so the amount I spend is automatically registered in the household account app, and it’s convenient because I can easily keep track of how much I spend on what each month.

In fact, many patents and screen designs are involved in these types of apps, and Money Forward’s household account app is also protected by multiple patents, including Japanese Patent No. 6534085, which seems to prevent imitation by other companies.

Recently, the number of people who accumulate points and use the points they have accumulated, called “point activities”, is increasing, and the world is becoming more cashless, so it seems that the number of apps for managing points and income and expenditure will continue to increase in the future. (Chamomile)

Money Forward ME website (Japanese only)

About the printing press

  • April 9, 2025
#invention

I was watching TV without any particular reason when I came across a program that was looking at inventions from around the world.
The program ranked historical inventions, and the printing press came in first place.

printing press

Until then, books and other means of communication could only be reproduced by hand, so only a handful of people could afford them. The invention of the printing press was a revelation, as it meant that information could be shared with the whole world at once. Of course, mass reproduction was impossible without access to cheap paper, but even so, the ease of printing compared to the days of hand-copying on expensive parchment was like night and day.
It is said that a printing press came to Japan once during the Warring States period, but it was forgotten after that and then reintroduced at the end of the Edo period. The speed of modernization that followed was nothing short of astonishing. Perhaps it was thanks to the mass-produced information.

Speaking of which, the manga “Orb” was made into an anime by NHK and broadcast until recently, and the printing press was an important point in the final episode. It seems that this manga will also be made into a play, so I’m thinking of going to see it. (Swimmer)

Japan Federation of Printing Industries (Japanese only)

COMTEC PORTBASE opens

  • April 2, 2025

On March 20th 2025, COMTEC PORTBASE, one of Nagoya’s largest live music venues, opened its doors. Our firm, Hattori & Partners assisted with the trademark registration for the name and logo of “PORTBASE”.

COMTEC PORTBASE was built in Minato Akurusu, Minato Ward, Nagoya City, where the Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport is located. I passed by the building before it opened, so I went to have a look at the exterior, and the edgy exterior looks like a ship, which matches the location along the canal.

COMTEC PORTBASE

In the Tokai area, the Aichi Kosei Nenkin Kaikan closed in 2008, the Aichi Kinro Kaikan closed in 2010, the Nagoya Congress Center (Century Hall) is temporarily closed for large-scale renovations from February 2025 to March 2027, and the Niterra Nippon Tokushu Togyo Shimin Kaikan is scheduled to close in March 2028, so there is a shortage of event venues of a similar scale.
According to a recent news report, while the majority of live performances in 2023 were held in Tokyo and Osaka, Aichi Prefecture accounted for only 7% of the total, and it has been suggested that the so-called “Nagoya skip” may be one of the causes of the outflow of population.

Following the opening of COMTEC PORTBASE, the IG Arena will open in Meijo Park on July 13th 2025 as a replacement for the aging Dolphins Arena (Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium) (the opening ceremony will be held on May 31st).
The shortage of event venues is gradually being resolved, but the term “Nagoya skip” itself has been around for a long time, and the lack of events seems to be due to other factors as well as the lack of venues.

I love going to live music performances. I’m looking forward to the increased opportunities to experience various cultures and arts, as well as live performances, which will lead to the creation of a more prosperous city. (Syszo)

For trademark registration-related consultations, please contact Hattori & Partners.

COMTEC PORTBASE https://portbase.co.jp/

Hida Sarubobo

  • March 26, 2025
#Regional Collective Trademark #trademark

Last month, I went to Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture with some friends.
We took the JR Hida train from Nagoya and arrived after about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

We enjoyed taking photos, eating our way around the city, and sightseeing.
One thing I saw a lot in Takayama was the “Hida Sarubobo”. These dolls, which are called “Sarubobo” because they look like baby monkeys, are popular as good luck charms. The “Hida Sarubobo” is also registered as a regional collective trademark (Japanese Trademark Registration no. 5087585).

Hida Sarubobo

As a memory of this visit, we made Sarubobo beanbags. It took about 30 minutes to make them, and was a simple activity that could be enjoyed by both adults and children, involving sewing the cloth and attaching the Sarubobo head with glue.

Our firm has experience supporting intellectual property in the Tokai region, including Aichi, Gifu and Mie prefectures. We can also handle clients from outside the Tokai region, so please feel free to contact us. (Rabbit)

Unchanging taste, unchanging name

  • March 19, 2025
#trademark

I bought Yoguret because I saw it on sale in a shop and it brought back memories. It was not the old-fashioned tablet type in a box, but the sugar-coated type in a pouch, and Yoguret had evolved! The shop I happened to visit only sold the sugar-coated type, but looking at the website, it seems that the old-fashioned Yoguret and Hi-lemon in a box are still going strong.

Yoguret

While looking at the packaging with the intention of eating it, I suddenly wondered, “I think Yoguret was made by Meiji Seika, wasn’t it?”, so I looked into it and found that Meiji Seika, the company that used to make Yoguret and High Lemon, became a subsidiary of Marubeni in 2023 and changed its name to ATRION Co., Ltd.
The original trademark rights for Yoguret belonged to Meiji Seika, and the current trademark rights holder is ATRION Co., Ltd. Looking at the progress information, it seems that the rights were transferred in 2023. The same is true for Hi-lemon, and the current trademark rights holder is ATRION Co., Ltd.

Even if the same quality product was on sale, I don’t think I would have picked it up if the name or packaging had changed. This was an event that made me realize once again that even if the company changes with the times, we can still enjoy the same taste, protected by trademark rights. If I find the boxed type on sale, I’ll buy it. (Marron)

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