Parallel (Standard characters)

Radio communications for consumer entertainment services; in class 38

The applied-for-trademark consists of Roman letter string “Parallel” in standard characters. The letter string is widely known as a word meaning “parallel; parallel in electricity.” Thus, it is easy to understand how to read the applied-for-trademark.

According to the facts, including evidence provided in the examination stage, “parallel” and “parallel in katakana” are recognized as words meaning “parallel – simultaneous executions of multiple processes or transmissions by multiple entities” in the telecommunications in connection with the designated services and IT industries. In addition, it is recognized that a combination of “parallel in katakana” and “communication in Chinese characters” of the designated services – “parallel communication” – is widely used as a name of a communication method that transmits and receives multiple data using multiple signal lines.

With the above in mind, it is reasonable to say that “parallel” is used as a word meaning “parallel communication”, a communication method that transmits and receives multiple data using multiple signal lines and recognized as such by traders and consumers.

Thus, it is reasonable to say that the applied-for-trademark “Parallel” is merely recognized as services “radio communications for consumer entertainment services” by a parallel communication method that transmits and receives multiple data using multiple signal lines when the applied-for-trademark is used on the designated services. The JPO determined, then, that the applied-for-trademark consists solely of a mark indicating a quality of the services in a common manner.

Thus, it was judged that the applied-for-trademark should not be registered because it would indicate a quality of services in a common manner for the above-mentioned services.

The applicant limited the designated services from “telecommunication; communications by computer terminals; message sending; rental of telecommunication equipment; in Class 38, etc.” to “radio communications for consumer entertainment services” in order to attempt to overcome the office action.

*The applicant withdrew the subject application on November 22, 2022.