The Trademark Examination Manual
The Trademark Examination Manual is based on the understanding that in order to ensure the smooth administration of the trademark system, it is necessary for the examination to follow a certain standard in a uniform, fair and appropriate manner. Based on this perception, the trademark manual has been organized into categories of laws and regulations, handling and material/evidence that are required for the daily administration of examinations. It supplements the Trademark Examination Standards, and as such, both the Trademark Examination Standards and the Trademark Examination Manual prescribe the administration and operation/handling of trademark examinations.
It is from this perspective that the Trademark Examination Manual was prepared by the Trademark Examination Standards Office in March 1981 with the cooperation of related organizations, after studies on the practical operations of the examination, and documents were created by the Trademark Examination Standards Committee established inside the Trademark Division. Since then, in line with the amendments that were made to the Commercial Code, the Trademark Examination Manual has been revised whenever necessary.
Until now, the Trademark Examination Manual was only available to JPO examiners for use as examination material to be used in executing their practical duties. In the view of the need to promote a common understanding both inside and outside the JPO regarding the administration of practical trademark examinations in order to promote the smooth operation of the trademark system, and in response to demands from third parties, the JPO has decided to publicly disclose the Trademark Examination Manual.
The administration of trademark examinations must accommodate the changes in the way goods and services are traded in a society, and must be conducted in a fair and appropriate manner. We will continue to study the current Trademark Examination Manual, while reviewing and adding contents as necessary. We hope to solicit the frank opinions of interested parties by disclosing the Trademark Examination Manual so that we can
Followings are the English texts of The Trademark Examination Manual in Japan. When any ambiguity of interpretation is found in this provisional translation, the Japanese text shall prevail.
Original distribution URL : http://www.jpo.go.jp/cgi/linke.cgi?url=/tetuzuki_e/t_tokkyo_e/1308-029.htm
