By ASAKO HANAFUSA/ Staff Writer
August 7, 2020 at 16:33 JST
Osaka University in Suita, Osaka Prefecture. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
Osaka University in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, is contesting a trademark registration for the English name “University of Osaka” that was filed by another entity.
Osaka Prefecture University in Sakai and Osaka City University in Osaka will be merged into a new school under that name.
But Osaka University said the name is too close to its own and will cause confusion. It is now seeking to get it changed.
It said on Aug. 6 it is considering providing information to the Patent Office to demonstrate that the English trademark does not meet the registration requirements under the trademark law.
The Patent Office is reviewing the trademark filing for the “University of Osaka.”
Osaka University is also publicly asking the University Public Corporation Osaka, which operates the prefectural and city universities, to change the name on its website.
Osaka University pointed out that of more than 90 municipal universities, there are only four schools whose English names are similar to those of national universities located within the same prefecture.
It said international students and overseas universities could become confused over the similar names, and that “the name should be decided from an international perspective.”
The University Public Corporation Osaka has refused its request to reconsider the name.
“We have no plan to change the name,” it said.
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