(1) Trademark registration may be obtained, excluding the following trademarks:
1. A trademark consisting solely of a mark indicating, in a common manner, the common name of the goods;
2. A trademark used customarily in connection with the goods;
3. A trademark consisting solely of a mark indicating, in a common manner, the place of production, quality, raw materials, effect, usage, quantity, shape, price, method of production, method of processing, or method or time of use of the goods;
4. A trademark consisting solely of a conspicuous geographical name, the abbreviation thereof, or a map;
5. A trademark consisting solely of a mark indicating a common surname or name according to the method in common use;
6. A trademark consisting solely of a simple and readily available mark;
7. In addition to trademarks under subparagraphs 1 through 6, a trademark which is unrecognizable for consumers to identify which goods related to whose business it indicates.
(2) Even if a trademark falls under any of paragraph (1) 3 through 7, where such trademark is recognizable to consumers as a trademark indicating the source of goods of a specific person as a result of using the trademark before filing an application for trademark registration, trademark registration may be granted limited to the goods on which such trademark is used. <Amended on Oct. 31, 2023>
(3) Even if a mark falls under paragraph (1) 3 (limited to place of production) or 4, where such mark is a geographical indication for specific goods, an applicant may obtain registration of a collective mark with geographical indication for goods using such geographical indication as designated goods (referring to the goods designated pursuant to Article 38 (1) and the goods additionally designated pursuant to Article 86 (1); hereinafter the same shall apply).