3D Trademark Registration Application for THSR Train Was Rejected for Lack of Distinctiveness.

  Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) applied for registering the design of its THSR train as 3D mark with the Intellectual Property Office was rejected, while the registration application for 2 dimensional marks of the graph and words of THSR train are approved.

  IPO rejected THSRC’s application for 3D mark for two reasons: 1. THSR train has not been opened to traffic and the public is not so impressed to be able to recognize THSR train; therefore, it lacks distinctiveness; 2. THSR train is supposed to be deemed as public good since it is similar to the electrical bullet train of Japan and German ICE in their appearance. (2006.9)

/CCS