Suit against Invalidation Appeal Decision of Trademark Application

[Suit against Invalidation Appeal Decision of Trademark Application]

[Key issue] “Likely to cause confusion” (Article 4, paragraph (1), item (xv) of the Trademark Act).

Trademark at issue	Cited Trademark

Considering the following facts, Court concluded that the Trademark “is likely to cause confusion”:
While the Trademark and the Cited Trademark are different in silhouette, and because of the presence or lack of a design that is outlined by a white line inside, and other features, the two trademarks are similar in the entire silhouette.
The Cited Trademark has become a well-known trademark that is widely recognized by traders and consumers in Japan as a trademark indicating clothing, caps, hats, and the like of the brand, “PUMA”, pertaining to the plaintiff’s business.
While the designated goods of the Trademark are “tee-shirts; headgear for wear”, the brand, “PUMA”, also covers products of T-shirts, caps, and hats…