Sumitomo Rubber Industries is set to acquire the trademark rights and related assets for “Dunlop” four-wheel tires in Europe, North America, and Oceania from the U.S.-based Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company for approximately 82.6 billion yen.
Upon investigation, it turns out that Sumitomo Rubber obtained the rights to use the “Dunlop” name for tires in Japan as far back as the Taisho era (Trademark Registration No. 124936, etc.).
Interestingly, Sumitomo Rubber has also acquired the rights to use the “Dunlop” name for sneakers (Trademark Registration No. 0227380-1, etc.).
On the internet, “probably wearing Dunlop sneakers” has become a meme to poke fun at otaku culture. But is the criticism aimed at the design of the sneakers?
