#design #patent #trademark #utility model
Hello. This is Hiro.
The latest generation of PlayStation 5 (PS5), the home video game console, was released the other day (November 12, 2020). The number of people who wanted to purchase it exceeded that of the initial shipment, making it difficult to obtain. However, I was lucky enough to win the reservation lottery and got it on the release date.
High resolution and high frame rate image output, load time significantly shortened by adopting high-speed SSD, controller using high-precision haptic technology (tactile technology), 3D audio technology, and a lot of other latest technology are put in place, and the performance is greatly improved, compared to PlayStation 4 (PS4). Perhaps because I work on the patent field, I’m more interested in what kind of technology is currently used in game consoles and how far game-related technology has advanced, rather than playing the game itself. After playing with it for a while, I was particularly surprised by the haptic technology of the controller. The controller vibrates in various patterns and the repulsive force of the button changes according to the scene and situation in the game. It’s clearly different from the existing vibration technology. I felt that I could have an unprecedented gaming experience.
I searched patents and utility models on J-PlatPat by entering “Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.” (actually I could only type in up to 20 characters of the name due to the character number limit) in “Applicant / Right holder / Author Affiliation” column and 876 domestic documents were found (585 when narrowed down by “Registration date”). Some of the technologies described in these references may be used on the PS5.
Then, in the design search of J-PlatPat, when the same input was entered in the “Applicant / Right holder” field and searched, 55 domestic publications were found. The latest registration example (Design Registration No. 1671045) seems to be compatible with the wireless headset released on the same day as the PS5 main unit. In the future, there is a possibility that design registration and publication will be published for PS5 main units and controllers with innovative designs.
Furthermore, in the trademark search of J-PlatPat, when the same entry was made in the “Applicant / Right holder” field and the search was performed, 535 application / registration information was hit.
The “PS” logo (No. 4440718-2), “PS5” logo (Trademark application 2020-14898), and “PlayStation” (No. 5698539, etc.) are displayed on the right side from the center on the package front.
It can be seen that the “PS” logo (No. 4440718-2) is recognized as a well-known trademark because the same mark is registered as a defensive mark (No. 4440718-2 Protective No. 01, etc.).
Regarding the “PS5″ logo (trademark application 2020-14898), the trademark application was filed in Jamaica on December 2, 2019, secured a priority date, and then was filed in Japan on February 12, 2020, claiming the priority of the Paris Convention. This might have been done because when applying in Jamaica, it is difficult for the applied trademark to be known to the general public or others”, so that the “PS5” logo would not be known to the general public until the announcement date, outside Jamaica. Also, this is thought to be due to reasons such as preventing other people from preemptively applying for and registering in other countries. The “PS5” logo was announced at the consumer electronics trade fair “CES 2020” (Las Vegas, USA) on January 7, 2020, after the filing date for Jamaica and before the filing date for Japan.