JP Appeal Judge on non-use_Use in Japan or not.

Trademark:MICRO-BUFF
Class: 3
Appeal No.2008-300536
Type of appeal: cancellation based on non-use
Result: shall be canclled the registration
Judgement date: 2009/10/15
Key Point: Using the mark in English website shall not be deemed as use the mark in Japan.
Relevant article: 50
contents of article: "Where a registered trademark (including a trademark deemed identical from common sense perspective with the registered trademark, including a trademark consisting of characters identical with the registered trademark but in different fonts, a trademark that is written in different characters, Hiragana characters, Katakana characters, or Latin alphabetic characters, from the registered trademark but identical with the registered trademark in terms of pronunciation and concept, and a trademark consisting of figures that are considered identical in terms of appearance as those of the registered trademark; hereinafter the same shall apply in this article) has not been used in Japan in connection with any of the designated goods and designated services for three consecutive years or longer by the holder of trademark right, the exclusive right to use or non-exclusive right to use, any person may file a request for a trial for rescission of such trademark registration in connection with the relevant designated goods or designated services."