{"id":131,"date":"2026-10-31T12:31:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T03:31:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-invalidation-trial\/"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:34:14","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:34:14","slug":"japan-trademark-invalidation-trial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-invalidation-trial\/","title":{"rendered":"Trademark Invalidation Trial in Japan: Grounds, Who Can File, and How It Differs from Opposition"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;A Japanese company registered our brand before we entered Japan.&#8221; &#8220;We missed the opposition deadline \u2014 is there still anything we can do?&#8221; &#8220;Someone sent us a warning letter based on a registration that should never have been granted.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In these situations, the main tool for removing a registered trademark in Japan is the <strong>invalidation trial<\/strong> at the Japan Patent Office (JPO). In this article, Japanese Patent Attorney Toru Kano of BrandAgent explains what an invalidation trial is, when it can be used, who can file it and how it differs from an opposition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">*Official fees as of October 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-mybox st-mybox-class\" style=\"margin: 18px 0; padding: 16px; border: 2px solid #e5e7eb; border-radius: 10px; background: #fafafa;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>What you will learn<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"margin: 10px 0 0 18px;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What an invalidation trial is and when foreign brand owners need it<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Main grounds for invalidation<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Who can file, and the 5-year time limit<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Opposition, invalidation and non-use cancellation compared<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The procedure, partial invalidation and practical tips<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What is a trademark invalidation trial?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">An invalidation trial is a procedure in which you ask the JPO to declare that a trademark registration is invalid because it <strong>should not have been registered in the first place<\/strong>. It is decided by a panel of JPO trial examiners, with the registration owner as the opposing party.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">When the decision to invalidate becomes final, the registration is in principle treated as if it had never existed. (For grounds that arose only after registration, the right ceases from the time the ground arose.)<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Typical situations for overseas brand owners<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A Japanese company or a reseller registered your brand in Japan before you did (a &#8220;bad-faith&#8221; or pre-emptive registration).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A mark similar to your earlier Japanese registration was registered for similar goods.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A mark free-riding on your well-known brand was registered and may confuse consumers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The 2-month opposition period has already passed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">You received a warning letter or an Amazon Japan \/ Rakuten complaint based on a registration that you believe is invalid.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Main grounds for invalidation<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">An invalidation trial can be requested only on grounds listed in the Trademark Act \u2014 essentially, the reasons the registration should have been refused. Common examples:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"st-mybox  has-title st-mybox-class\" style=\"background:#f1f8e9;border-color:#a5d6a7;border-width:2px;border-radius:5px;margin: 25px 0 25px 0;\"><p class=\"st-mybox-title\" style=\"color:#4caf50;font-weight:bold;text-shadow: #fff 3px 0px 0px, #fff 2.83487px 0.981584px 0px, #fff 2.35766px 1.85511px 0px, #fff 1.62091px 2.52441px 0px, #fff 0.705713px 2.91581px 0px, #fff -0.287171px 2.98622px 0px, #fff -1.24844px 2.72789px 0px, #fff -2.07227px 2.16926px 0px, #fff -2.66798px 1.37182px 0px, #fff -2.96998px 0.42336px 0px, #fff -2.94502px -0.571704px 0px, #fff -2.59586px -1.50383px 0px, #fff -1.96093px -2.27041px 0px, #fff -1.11013px -2.78704px 0px, #fff -0.137119px -2.99686px 0px, #fff 0.850987px -2.87677px 0px, #fff 1.74541px -2.43999px 0px, #fff 2.44769px -1.73459px 0px, #fff 2.88051px -0.838246px 0px;\"><i class=\"fa fa-check-circle st-css-no\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Common grounds<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Lack of distinctiveness (Art. 3):<\/strong> the mark is descriptive or generic for the goods.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Conflict with an earlier registration (Art. 4(1)(xi)):<\/strong> similar to an earlier-filed registered mark for similar goods\/services.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Likelihood of confusion (Art. 4(1)(xv)):<\/strong> consumers may confuse the goods with another party&#8217;s business, e.g. a famous brand.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Bad-faith filing (Art. 4(1)(xix)):<\/strong> copying a mark well known in Japan or abroad for an unfair purpose \u2014 often the key ground against pre-emptive registrations of foreign brands.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Other grounds:<\/strong> e.g. marks contrary to public order, and certain cases involving the applicant&#8217;s eligibility.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Evidence is essential. For example, to argue that your brand is well known, you will need sales figures, advertising, media coverage and similar materials, ideally including those showing recognition in Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Who can file?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Unlike an opposition, which anyone can file, an invalidation trial can be requested only by an <strong>interested party<\/strong> \u2014 someone whose business is actually affected by the registration. A brand owner whose mark conflicts with the registration, or a seller who has received a warning letter or complaint based on it, will usually qualify.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A requester without an address or office in Japan must file through a representative in Japan (a Japanese patent attorney).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The 5-year time limit<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"st-mybox  has-title st-mybox-class\" style=\"background:#ffebee;border-color:#ef9a9a;border-width:2px;border-radius:5px;margin: 25px 0 25px 0;\"><p class=\"st-mybox-title\" style=\"color:#ef5350;font-weight:bold;text-shadow: #fff 3px 0px 0px, #fff 2.83487px 0.981584px 0px, #fff 2.35766px 1.85511px 0px, #fff 1.62091px 2.52441px 0px, #fff 0.705713px 2.91581px 0px, #fff -0.287171px 2.98622px 0px, #fff -1.24844px 2.72789px 0px, #fff -2.07227px 2.16926px 0px, #fff -2.66798px 1.37182px 0px, #fff -2.96998px 0.42336px 0px, #fff -2.94502px -0.571704px 0px, #fff -2.59586px -1.50383px 0px, #fff -1.96093px -2.27041px 0px, #fff -1.11013px -2.78704px 0px, #fff -0.137119px -2.99686px 0px, #fff 0.850987px -2.87677px 0px, #fff 1.74541px -2.43999px 0px, #fff 2.44769px -1.73459px 0px, #fff 2.88051px -0.838246px 0px;\"><i class=\"fa fa-check-circle st-css-no\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Watch the deadline<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">For many grounds \u2014 including lack of distinctiveness (Art. 3), conflict with an earlier registration (Art. 4(1)(xi)) and likelihood of confusion (Art. 4(1)(xv)) \u2014 an invalidation trial <strong>cannot be requested once 5 years have passed since the registration date<\/strong>.<br \/>\nSome grounds have no time limit (for example, bad-faith filing under Art. 4(1)(xix)), and for confusion with a well-known mark, the limit does not apply if the registration was obtained for an unfair purpose. If you find a conflicting registration, act early.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Opposition vs. invalidation vs. non-use cancellation<\/span><\/h2>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\" border=\"1\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f5f5f5;\">\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: left;\"><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Opposition<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Invalidation trial<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Non-use cancellation trial<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Purpose<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Early review of a newly granted registration<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Full dispute over whether the registration should have been granted<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Cancel a mark that is not being used<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Time limit<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Within 2 months of publication of the registration gazette<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Any time after registration; 5-year limit for many grounds<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Any time, if not used in Japan for 3+ consecutive years<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Who can file<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Anyone<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Interested parties only<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Anyone<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Proceedings<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Between the JPO and the owner; opponent has a limited role<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Adversarial: requester vs. owner<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Adversarial; the owner must prove use<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Official fee (JPY)<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">3,000 + 8,000 \u00d7 classes<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">15,000 + 40,000 \u00d7 classes<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">15,000 + 40,000 \u00d7 classes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If the problem is that the mark is simply not being used in Japan, a non-use cancellation trial is often simpler, because the owner must prove use. If the mark is being used but should never have been registered, an invalidation trial is the right tool.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The procedure<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>1. Assess:<\/strong> check the registration, identify the grounds, confirm standing and the 5-year limit.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>2. Collect evidence:<\/strong> your earlier mark and its use, proof of reputation, the circumstances of the other party&#8217;s filing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>3. File the request<\/strong> with the JPO, with the evidence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>4. Owner&#8217;s answer:<\/strong> the owner is given an opportunity to respond; further written exchanges may follow.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>5. Decision:<\/strong> the panel decides whether the registration is invalid. Either side can appeal to the IP High Court.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Partial invalidation is possible<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">An invalidation trial can target only some of the designated goods\/services \u2014 for example, &#8220;invalidate the registration in respect of cosmetics.&#8221; If you only need the registration removed for the goods you sell, a partial request can focus the dispute and the evidence. Note that the official fee depends on the number of classes requested.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Practical tips<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Don&#8217;t confuse opposition with invalidation \u2014 if the registration was published recently, an opposition may still be available and is cheaper.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Confirm that you are an interested party, and check the 5-year limit for each ground.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Decide whether you need full or partial invalidation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Link each argument to specific evidence. Overseas evidence should be translated into Japanese.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Consider the alternatives \u2014 non-use cancellation, negotiation, or buying the registration \u2014 before choosing a trial simply because the mark is already registered.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">At BrandAgent, every case is handled personally by a licensed patent attorney, and we communicate in English and Chinese. Consultations and quotes are free.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can anyone file an invalidation trial?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. No. Only an interested party can file. Anyone can file an opposition, but only within 2 months of publication of the registration gazette.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. What happens if we win?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Once the decision is final, the registration is invalidated and, in principle, treated as never having existed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can we file more than 5 years after registration?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. It depends on the ground. Many grounds are barred after 5 years, but bad-faith filing and some others are not.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Someone registered our brand in Japan. What should we do first?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Send us the registration number. We will check whether opposition, invalidation or non-use cancellation is available, and whether filing your own application makes sense.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Summary<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"st-mybox  has-title st-mybox-class\" style=\"background:#f1f8e9;border-color:#a5d6a7;border-width:2px;border-radius:5px;margin: 25px 0 25px 0;\"><p class=\"st-mybox-title\" style=\"color:#4caf50;font-weight:bold;text-shadow: #fff 3px 0px 0px, #fff 2.83487px 0.981584px 0px, #fff 2.35766px 1.85511px 0px, #fff 1.62091px 2.52441px 0px, #fff 0.705713px 2.91581px 0px, #fff -0.287171px 2.98622px 0px, #fff -1.24844px 2.72789px 0px, #fff -2.07227px 2.16926px 0px, #fff -2.66798px 1.37182px 0px, #fff -2.96998px 0.42336px 0px, #fff -2.94502px -0.571704px 0px, #fff -2.59586px -1.50383px 0px, #fff -1.96093px -2.27041px 0px, #fff -1.11013px -2.78704px 0px, #fff -0.137119px -2.99686px 0px, #fff 0.850987px -2.87677px 0px, #fff 1.74541px -2.43999px 0px, #fff 2.44769px -1.73459px 0px, #fff 2.88051px -0.838246px 0px;\"><i class=\"fa fa-check-circle st-css-no\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>Key points<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">An invalidation trial removes a registration that should not have been granted.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Only interested parties can file; foreign requesters file through a Japanese patent attorney.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Many grounds are barred 5 years after registration \u2014 act early.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Opposition: anyone, within 2 months. Non-use cancellation: mark unused in Japan for 3+ years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Partial invalidation for specific goods\/services is possible.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"related-articles\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Related articles<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark_opposition\/\">Trademark Opposition in Japan: Requirements, 2-Month Deadline and Procedure<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark-non-use-cancellation\/\">Non-Use Cancellation Trials in Japan: Requirements, Procedure and When You Can Win<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark_infringement\/\">Accused of Trademark Infringement in Japan? How to Respond to a Warning Letter or an Amazon\/Rakuten Complaint<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-rights\/\">What Is a Trademark Right in Japan? When It Arises, Scope, Duration and Infringement<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f0f7ff; border: 2px solid #0066cc; padding: 20px; margin: 24px 0; border-radius: 6px;\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Has someone registered your brand in Japan?<\/strong><br \/>\nSend us the registration number \u2014 we will review the options and reply with our view and a quote, free of charge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">BrandAgent Patent Office (Kyoto, Japan)<br \/>\nToru Kano, Japanese Patent Attorney<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"color: #0066cc; font-weight: bold;\" href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en\/trademark_lp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Get a free quote for your Japanese trademark<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Someone registered your brand in Japan? A Japanese patent attorney explains the trademark invalidation trial at the JPO: typical cases, grounds, who can file, the 5-year limit, partial invalidation, and how it compares with opposition and non-use cancellation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":328,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-131","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trademark"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=131"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":214,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131\/revisions\/214"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/328"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=131"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=131"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=131"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}