One company in Kyoto has registered trademark combined English character “TeaCoffee” and an illustration.
Then Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd. have begun to sell “TEA COFFEE”.
The Kyoto company sued Asahi for trademark infringement.
The Osaka District Court pointed out that the “TeaCoffee” part is only a indication that tea and coffee are mixed.
That is to say “It is not a part characterized as a trademark”.
And the Court rejected the Kyoto company’s claim since two illustrations are not similar each other.
This decision is understandable for me.
A trademark combining a illustration with a character “orange juice” can be registered.
But everybody can use the character “orange juice” without trademark infringement.
