Brand Protection related to Tokyo Olympic Games-Paralympic Games

Zen International Patents and Trademarks

Himeji City of Hyogo Prefecture announced on May 12, 2017  that it will remove the term "2020 Tokyo Olympic-Paralympic" from the mark which was designed to promote Himeji sports, culture and tourisum activities, looking ahead to Tokyo Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games.

Please see the image:

The left one is the logo with the term "2020 Tokyo Olympic-Paralympic" & "Himeji Project".

The right one is the mark after removing the term "2020 Tokyo Olympic-Paralympic".

(Image Source: https://mainichi.jp/articles/20170513/k00/00e/040/273000c)

According to the media report, Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games requested Himeji City not to use the term "2020 Tokyo Olympic-Paralympic".

Brand Protection Standers of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games specifies that all intellectual properties including emblems, logos and designations relating to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, are legally protected in Japan by the Trademark Law, the Unfair Competition Prevention Law and the Copyright Law.

Therefore, the term including names of the Tokyo 2020 Games such as “Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games” "Tokyo 2020” are also subject to protection as intellectual property, and may not be used freely.

Only certain organizations and businesses such as "Tokyo 2020 Games official sponsors" are permitted to use the term related to Tokyo Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Follow me!