Sound marks
Before the introduction of the new types of trademarks, the subjects of registrable trademark were limited to those which can be visually perceived, such as characters, figures, signs and the like. Under the previous system above, “auditorially perceived sounds” were outside the scope of protection.
However, now sound marks are added to the scope of registrable trademarks, thereby trademarks consisting of music, sound or natural sound can be protected as trademark.
Sound marks may, for example, constitute sound logos used for commercials or start-up sounds of computers, and can be depicted by the following musical scores.
(Source: Pamphlet “System of Protection for New Types of Trademark” by
Japan Patent Office)