Get Japanese Trademark Updates on X (Twitter)? Explanation of Trademark Bots in Japan

I saw something called “a trademark bot” on X. I wonder what kind of account it is. Is there any danger in following it?

It’s an account that automatically transmits the contents of the Trademark Gazette. It’s not dangerous, but there are a few tricks to using it

What is a trademark bot?

First, a bot is a program that automatically sends messages in communication tools such as X (Twitter). A trademark bot is an account on X that automatically posts the contents of trademark gazette data.

Where can I get that gazette data?

As for Japan trademarks, you can download the latest gazette from the JPO’s gazette website. If you format this programmatically and send it to X, you can tweet the gazette information automatically.

Major Trademark bots

Major trademark bot accounts are as follows.

*The following social media accounts and web sites are operated in Japanese.

Trademark Bulletin Bot

This account was started in 2011.

• X: Trademark Bulletin Bot

Sound trademarks are available to listen to on SOUNDCLOUD.

• SOUNDCLOUD: Trademark Bulletin Bot

kwixilvr, who operates the site, is developing a new service for trademark searches.

• CAMPFIRE: Trademark Bulletin Bot Enhancement Project – Building a Website for Easy Trademark Application Search and Reference

Trademark Watch Bot

This account was started in 2019.

• X: Trademark Watch Bot

It appears that more advanced searches and filtering are available on the website below.

• Trademark Watch

They also run similar accounts, including Patent Watch Bot and Design Watch Bot.

What can Trademark bot be used for?

Watching

It can be used to check the latest trademarks filed by a particular company. It can also be used to track new TV series, games, and other content titles.

Easily bookmark trademarks you like

You can bookmark trademarks you like using X’s “Bookmark” feature.

Trademark bot’s weak points

Thus, although the Trademark Bot is suited for checking new trademark applications, there are some areas it does not support.

Trademarks filed before the account was created cannot be searched

Since the Trademark Bot posts newly published trademark gazettes, trademarks that were filed before the account was created cannot be searched.

Even trademarks filed a long time ago may still remain registered, so the bot is not suitable for searching such older trademarks.

It is not possible to search while considering “similarity” and “dissimilarity”

When filing a trademark application, it is necessary to examine the similarity or dissimilarity of trademarks as well as the similarity or dissimilarity of goods and services. However, it is difficult to conduct such searches on X.

It seems not a good way to search for trademarks that would hinder a trademark application via Trademark bots on X.

If you want to search for a specific trademark instead of watching, use “Amazing DX”!

Thus, each trademark-related service has its suitability and unsuitability.

It would be better to use different databases for different purposes.

If you are thinking of applying for a trademark, we highly recommend Amazing DX. It’s an easy way to see if there are any registered trademarks similar to the one you want to apply for!