| OUR CLIENT’S MARK | OPPONENT’S MARK |
 |
 |
ERBIL – On 4 December 2017, we filed a trademark application on behalf of our client, I.J. Tobacco Industry FZE, for the mark IJTI- I. J. TOBACCO INDUSTRY in Northern Iraq in class 34. The application was assigned number 3964, and then published in the Official Gazette on 2 January 2018.
Japan Tobacco Inc. filed an opposition against our client’s application on the basis of similarity with its pending trademark JTI number 4179.
We submitted a counter statement based on the following:
- Lack of definite similarity between both marks;
- Our client’s mark uses their commercial name as their brand, therefore, the mark IJTI is protected as per the articles of law;
- Worldwide registration of our client’s mark, and
- Our client’s mark, IJTI, has been accepted and registered in the opponent’s home country of Japan.
The Examiner accepted our counter statement and issued a decision to reject the opposition raised by Japan Tobacco Inc. and allowed the application for IJTI- I. J. TOBACCO INDUSTRY number 3964 to register.
For more information, please contact iraq@qumsieh.com.