Position marks
Before the introduction of the new types of trademarks, the subjects of trademark registration were characters, figures, signs and the like. Under the previous system above, it was not allowed to specify the position where the mark is placed on or affixed to the goods.
However, now trademarks specifying the position where the mark is affixed to the goods are added to the subjects of trademark protection.
Position marks may, for example, include those marks in which the position of the mark is specified in the handle of a kitchen knife or on the lower part of a golf bag (blue-colored parts in the figures below).
(Source: Pamphlet “System of Protection for New Types of Trademark” by
Japan Patent Office)