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.

OUR CLIENT’S MARK	OPPONENT’S REGISTERED MARK

ABU DHABI – On 17 October 2016, we filed a trademark application on behalf of our client, I.J. Tobacco Industry FZE, for the mark IJTI- I. J. TOBACCO INDUSTRY in the UAE in class 34. The application was assigned serial number 261478, and was then published in the Official Gazette on 29 August 2017.

Japan Tobacco Inc. filed an opposition against our client’s application based on alleged similarities with their registered trademark JTI in class 34 in the UAE number 15031.

We submitted a counter statement based on the following:

• Lack of definite similarities between the marks;
• Our client’s mark uses their commercial name as their brand, therefore, the mark IJTI is protected as per the articles of the 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 rejecting the opposition raised by Japan Tobacco Inc. and allowed the application for IJTI- I. J. TOBACCO INDUSTRY to register.

For more information, please contact uae@qumsieh.com.

OUR CLIENT’S MARK	OPPONENT’S REGISTERED MARK

SANA’A – On 8 November 2016, we filed a trademark application on behalf of our client, I.J. Tobacco Industry FZE, for IJTI- I. J. TOBACCO INDUSTRY in Yemen in class 34. The application was assigned number 76722, and then published in the Yemeni Official Gazette on 25 March 2017.

Japan Tobacco Inc., filed an opposition against our client’s application under the basis of similarity with their registered trademark JTI in Yemen number 15031.

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 76722 to register.

For more information, please contact yemen@qumsieh.com.