Tactile Trademarks in the US

Zen International Patents and Trademarks

Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewing Co., Ltd., one of the biggest sake breweries in Japan, recently announced that they have filed a "tactile trademark" application in the United States for the "touch feel" of the company's sake cup/container, which they believe is distinctive. The Japanese brewery has plans to launch their barrel (taru) liquor product in the U.S. this spring and  aims to promote the product by raising the awareness of American consumers in the sensation of gripping a cup of wooden texture while sipping sake. While a few of such marks have been registered in the U.S., tactile trademarks are not yet protected by way of registration in Japan.

http://www.kikumasamune.co.jp

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