{"id":181,"date":"2026-11-01T15:24:57","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T06:24:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-intent-to-use\/"},"modified":"2026-11-02T16:33:27","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T07:33:27","slug":"japan-trademark-intent-to-use","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-intent-to-use\/","title":{"rendered":"\"Intent to Use\" Refusals in Japan: Too Many Goods, Class 35 Retail and How to Respond"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;Our Japanese application was refused because there is &#8216;doubt about our intention to use the mark&#8217;. What does that mean?&#8221;<br \/>\n&#8220;We copied the goods list from our Chinese registration. Is that a problem in Japan?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Foreign applicants often receive this type of Office Action, especially when the goods list is very long or covers many types of retail services. This article, by Toru Kano, Japanese Patent Attorney at BrandAgent (Kyoto), explains the rule, when it is triggered and how to respond.<\/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>Key points<\/p><div class=\"st-in-mybox\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In Japan a mark must be used, or intended to be used, by the applicant for the designated goods\/services (Trademark Act Art. 3(1), main paragraph).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Refusals are likely when (1) several non-similar Class 35 retail services are designated, or (2) the goods\/services in one class span <strong>23 or more similar groups<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">You can respond by submitting evidence of business (or a plan to start use) or by deleting goods\/services.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A long goods list copied from a Chinese filing is a common cause.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">What is the &#8220;intent to use&#8221; requirement?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Japanese law requires that a trademark be &#8220;used in connection with goods or services pertaining to the applicant&#8217;s business&#8221;. Use is not required at filing, but the applicant must actually use the mark or have a real intention to use it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">The purpose is to prevent one business from monopolising a huge range of goods it will never sell, which would block other businesses. Where the JPO has a <strong>reasonable doubt<\/strong> about the intention to use, it issues an Office Action and asks the applicant to confirm its business.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">When the JPO raises a reasonable doubt<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Pattern 1: Class 35 retail services are too broad<\/span><\/h3>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\" border=\"1\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f5f5f5;\">\n<th style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Case<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Content<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Individual designates general retail services<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;Retail services for a variety of goods in clothing, food and daily necessities&#8221; \u2014 the kind of service provided by department stores and supermarkets \u2014 is unlikely to be provided by an individual.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Company designates general retail services<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Refused if the JPO cannot confirm the company actually operates such a business.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Several non-similar retail services<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">e.g. retail of clothing, retail of cars and retail of medicines (different similar-group codes 35K01\u201335K99). One business rarely runs all these types of shops.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Pattern 2: 23 or more similar groups in one class<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In Japan each item of goods or services has a &#8220;similar group code&#8221; (e.g. 21A01). If the designated goods\/services in one class cover <strong>22 or fewer<\/strong> similar groups, the requirement is treated as met. At <strong>23 or more<\/strong>, the JPO asks for confirmation of business.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Items with the same code are counted once.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">&#8220;Other&#8221; codes (such as 40H99) are counted separately if the items are not similar to each other.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A Chinese goods list that covers almost every subclass of a class often exceeds 22 groups in Japan. It is worth checking the count before filing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">How to respond, option 1: submit evidence<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">You file a written argument with evidence, showing for each similar group that you run, or plan to run, the business.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If you already sell the goods<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Catalogues, leaflets or product pages showing the goods<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Photos of the store or products<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Transaction documents: orders, delivery notes, invoices, receipts<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">News or online articles describing your business<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Evidence of business outside Japan (for example in China) can also show that you deal in the goods. Documents in Chinese or English need a Japanese translation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If you have not started yet<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">An intention to start use within about 3\u20134 years after filing is accepted. Two documents are needed:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A statement, signed by the person responsible for the business, that you plan to start using the mark for the goods in a stated month and year<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">A business plan showing preparations (e.g. factory or store preparation, production or sales start dates)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">These documents can be inspected by third parties, so confidential parts may be masked.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">How to respond, option 2: delete goods\/services<\/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;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Refusal type<\/span><\/th>\n<th style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Amendment<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">23+ similar groups in one class<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Delete items until 22 or fewer groups remain<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Several non-similar retail services<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 8px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Keep only one type of retail service<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Deleting the goods you do not really need is often the quickest and cheapest solution.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">When evidence can be omitted<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">If the same applicant already submitted evidence in an earlier Japanese application, you can refer to that application number and document instead of submitting it again. This also applies to other goods in the same similar group.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Mass filers<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Applicants who file a very large number of applications (roughly 1,000 or more per year) and whose use cannot be confirmed \u2014 for example, those who mainly trade or license trademarks \u2014 are refused even if they submit a statement of intent.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Practical tips before filing<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Do not copy the whole Chinese goods list; choose what you will really sell in Japan<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Count the similar groups in each class and stay at 22 or fewer<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">In Class 35, avoid designating several unrelated types of retail service<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">Keep product pages, invoices and photos ready in case they are requested<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can we register a mark in Japan before we start selling there?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. Yes. If an Office Action is issued, you can submit a statement of intent to start use within about 3\u20134 years and a business plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. How many goods can we list in one class?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. The number of items does not matter as such; what matters is the number of similar groups. Up to 22 groups is treated as acceptable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Can we use evidence of sales in China?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. It can help show that you deal in the goods. Submit it with a Japanese translation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><strong>Q. Which is better: evidence or deletion?<\/strong><br \/>\nA. If you do not need some items, deleting them is faster and cheaper. If the goods are important, submit evidence.<\/span><\/p>\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_classes\/\">Trademark Classes in Japan: How to Choose from the 45 Nice Classes and Describe Your Goods\/Services<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan_trademark_examination\/\">Japanese Trademark Office Action (Notice of Reasons for Refusal): Common Grounds and How to Respond<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-saas-app-classes\/\">SaaS and App Trademarks in Japan: Why Class 42 Alone Leaves Gaps (Classes 9, 35 and More)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 120%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/japan-trademark-similarity-refusal\/\">Refused for a Similar Trademark in Japan? Article 4(1)(xi) Explained by a Japanese Patent Attorney<\/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>Planning to protect your brand in Japan?<\/strong><br \/>\nTell us your mark and your products \u2014 we will reply with the classes you need and a fixed 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>A Japanese patent attorney explains Japan&#8217;s intent-to-use requirement (Trademark Act Art. 3(1)), the 22-similar-group rule, Class 35 retail service refusals, and how foreign applicants can respond with evidence or amendments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":315,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-181","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\/181","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=181"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":210,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/181\/revisions\/210"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/315"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=181"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=181"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brandagent.jp\/en_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}