商標登録insideNews: The EUIPO Provides Guidance on Metaverse, NFT-Focused Trademarks | thefashionlaw.com

Filing For Metaverse and NFT

Brands ranging from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Valentino to Nike and adidas have made headlines over the past year after filing applications for registration for use of their famous trademarks in the virtual world, either reflecting existing use or seemingly indicating their intent to use such marks in the metaverse or in connection with non-fungible tokens (“NFTs”). Not limited to fashion and luxury names, brands across industries (think: KFC to the City of Beverly Hills) have followed the lead set by Nike last year…

情報源: The EUIPO Provides Guidance on Metaverse, NFT-Focused Trademarks

Nike’s US Prosecution

US Serial Number: 97096366

Suggested G&S ID from OA dated Jun. 24, 2022 (Filing for metaverse)

Cl	As filed	Suggested in OA
Class 009	Downloadable virtual goods, namely, computer programs featuring footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear, bags, sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys and accessories for use online and in online virtual worlds	Downloadable virtual goods, namely, computer programs featuring footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear, bags, sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys and accessories for use online in online virtual worlds
Class 035	Retail store services featuring virtual goods, namely, footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys and accessories for use online; on-line retail store services featuring virtual merchandise, namely, footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear, bags, sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys and accessories	Retail store services featuring virtual goods, namely, footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys and accessories for use online in online virtual worlds; on-line retail store services featuring virtual merchandise, namely, footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear, bags, sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys and accessories for use online in online virtual worlds
Class 041	Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line, non-downloadable virtual footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear, bags, sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys and accessories for use in virtual environments	Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line, non-downloadable virtual footwear, clothing, headwear, eyewear, bags, sports bags, backpacks, sports equipment, art, toys and accessories for use in virtual environments created for entertainment purposes

EUIPO’s Guidedance (Filing for Metaverse and NFT)

1. Virtual goods are proper to Class 9 because they are treated as digital content or images. However, the term virtual goods on its own lacks clarity and precision so must be further specified by stating the content to which the virtual goods relate (e.g. downloadable virtual goods, namely, virtual clothing).
2. The 12th Edition of the Nice Classification will incorporate the term downloadable digital files authenticated by non-fungible tokens in Class 9. NFTs are treated as unique digital certificates registered in a blockchain, which authenticate digital items but are distinct from those digital items. For the Office, the term non fungible tokens on its own is not acceptable. The type of digital item authenticated by the NFT must be specified.

「暗号資産」「仮想通貨」に関連する役務を指定する商標登録出願の取扱いについて（特許庁）

第36類　（類似群コード：36A01）

1. 「暗号資産の売買又は他の暗号資産との交換」
2. 「暗号資産の売買又は他の暗号資産との交換の媒介・取次ぎ・代理」
3. 「暗号資産の売買又は他の暗号資産との交換に関して行う利用者の金銭の管理」
4. 「暗号資産の売買又は他の暗号資産との交換の媒介・取次ぎ・代理に関して行う利用者の金銭の管理」
5. 「他人のために行う暗号資産の管理」

令和3年1月1日以降の出願からは仮想通貨の文字で採択できないというルールに変更されてます。メタバース系やNFT系の出願（Filing For Metaverse and NFT）については未だのようです。

情報源: Virtual goods, non-fungible tokens and the metaverse – News – EUTM

(Filing for Metaverse)

商標登録insideNews: ナイキ、メタバース時代に備え商標保護とデジタル商品開発への対応着々 – Engadget 日本版
商標登録insideNews: マクドナルドが「メタバース向け商標」を出願(10件)、ナイキらに続き | Forbes JAPAN

(2022.7.15 追記　Filing for metaverse)

As more big brands develop their own metaverses or join existing ones, new issues have arisen in the protection and enforcement of trademark rights…

情報源: Questions remain regarding the registration of trademarks in the metaverse – Lexology

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