It is still an unfortunate practice for people to believe that because they have a commercial interest in a product, they can register the trademark of the same knowing that it does not belong to them. Such was the case with the famous Japanese beer brand SAPPORO, which was the object of an attempt of misappropriation by the company Hico Fish S.A.S. That company applied for registration of the trademark SAPPORO without even omitting the copy of its logo. The copying and attempted misappropriation was so evident that the Trademark Office did not hesitate to deny its registration. The competitive advantages and purposes pursued by registering a trademark that clearly belonged to a third party are evident. However, it should be noted that the authority has given due protection to its true owner.
