Subject: RE: [Report of Office Action] Japanese Trademark Appln. No. 2025-089940 "ESTD 1762/RON ANEJO/CARUPANO and device" (Your Ref.: 91143, Aoyama Ref.: T454955)
From: "AOYAMA & PARTNERS" <[email-masked]>
To: "'Paula Alfaro'" <[email-masked]>
Cc: "'Guillermo Lopez'" <[email-masked]>, "'Luis Henriquez'" <[email-masked]>, "'International Bolet & Terrero'" <[email-masked]>, "'Yosuke TANAKA'" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:30:55 +0900

Dear Paula,

Thank you for your email below.

Please see the attached our invoice.

Best regards,

Yosuke TANAKA (Mr.)

AOYAMA & PARTNERS

Osaka Umeda Twin Towers North 

8-1, Kakuda-cho

Kita-ku, Osaka

530-0017 JAPAN

Phone:  (81)6-6316-1261, (81)6-6316-1294(Direct)

Fax:    (81)6-6316-2241

E-Mail: [email-masked]

YT:rt:mn

Note:

-- Please copy <[email-masked]> in any emails related to trademark matters with our reference number.

-- Please confirm an acknowledgement from our firm for all correspondence.  If you fail to receive our receipt confirmation in two business days, please remind us promptly until confirming our acknowledgement.

Confidentiality Notice:

The information contained in this email may be confidential and/or legally privileged. It has been sent for the sole use of the intended recipient(s).  If the reader of this message is not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication, or any of its contents, is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this communication in error, please reply to the sender and destroy all copies of the message.

From: AOYAMA & PARTNERS <[email-masked]> 
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 9:08 AM
To: 'Paula Alfaro' <[email-masked]>
Cc: 'Guillermo Lopez' <[email-masked]>; 'Luis Henriquez' <[email-masked]>; 'International Bolet & Terrero' <[email-masked]>; 'Yosuke TANAKA' <[email-masked]>
Subject: RE: [Report of Office Action] Japanese Trademark Appln. No. 2025-089940 "ESTD 1762/RON ANEJO/CARUPANO and device" (Your Ref.: 91143, Aoyama Ref.: T454955)

Received with thanks.

AOYAMA & PARTNERS
mn

From: Paula Alfaro <[email-masked]> 
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 1:24 AM
To: Yosuke TANAKA <[email-masked]>
Cc: Guillermo Lopez <[email-masked]>; Luis Henriquez <[email-masked]>; International Bolet & Terrero <[email-masked]>; 'AOYAMA & PARTNERS' <[email-masked]>
Subject: Re: [Report of Office Action] Japanese Trademark Appln. No. 2025-089940 "ESTD 1762/RON ANEJO/CARUPANO and device" (Your Ref.: 91143, Aoyama Ref.: T454955)

Dear Yosuke,

Thank you very much for your email and for your assistance in this matter so far.

We would like to inform you that our client is now handling this matter through another channel.

Please let us know if there are any outstanding invoices pending settlement.

We remain at your service should you require our assistance in Venezuela.

Best regards, 

Paula 

 

  _____  

From: Yosuke TANAKA <[email-masked]>
Sent: Sunday, June 7, 2026 8:21 PM
To: Paula Alfaro <[email-masked]>
Cc: Guillermo Lopez <[email-masked]>; Luis Henriquez <[email-masked]>; International Bolet & Terrero <[email-masked]>; 'AOYAMA & PARTNERS' <[email-masked]>
Subject: RE: [Report of Office Action] Japanese Trademark Appln. No. 2025-089940 "ESTD 1762/RON ANEJO/CARUPANO and device" (Your Ref.: 91143, Aoyama Ref.: T454955) 

KIND REMINDER

Deadline: June 30, 2026

Dear Paula,

We look forward to receiving your instructions.

Best regards,

Yosuke TANAKA(Mr.)

AOYAMA & PARTNERS

Osaka Umeda Twin Towers North

8-1, Kakuda-cho

Kita-ku, Osaka

530-0017 JAPAN

Phone:  (81)6-6316-1261, (81)6-6316-1294(Direct)

Fax:    (81)6-6316-2241

E-Mail: [email-masked]　

YT:kk

Note:

-- Please copy <[email-masked]> in any emails related to trademark matters with our reference number.

-- Please confirm an acknowledgement from our firm for all correspondence.  If you fail to receive our receipt confirmation in two business days, please remind us promptly until confirming our acknowledgement.

Confidentiality Notice:

The information contained in this email may be confidential and/or legally privileged. It has been sent for the sole use of the intended recipient(s).  If the reader of this message is not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication, or any of its contents, is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this communication in error, please reply to the sender and destroy all copies of the message.

 

From: Yosuke TANAKA <[email-masked]> 
Sent: Monday, June 1, 2026 2:12 PM
To: 'Paula Alfaro' <[email-masked]>
Cc: 'Guillermo Lopez' <[email-masked]>; 'Luis Henriquez' <[email-masked]>; 'International Bolet & Terrero' <[email-masked]>; 'AOYAMA & PARTNERS' <[email-masked]>
Subject: RE: [Report of Office Action] Japanese Trademark Appln. No. 2025-089940 "ESTD 1762/RON ANEJO/CARUPANO and device" (Your Ref.: 91143, Aoyama Ref.: T454955)

KIND REMINDER

Deadline: June 30, 2026

Dear Paula,

Further to our email below, we look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Yosuke TANAKA(Mr.)

AOYAMA & PARTNERS

Osaka Umeda Twin Towers North

8-1, Kakuda-cho

Kita-ku, Osaka

530-0017 JAPAN

Phone:  (81)6-6316-1261, (81)6-6316-1294(Direct)

Fax:    (81)6-6316-2241

E-Mail:  <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]　

YT:kk

Note:

-- Please copy < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]> in any emails related to trademark matters with our reference number.

-- Please confirm an acknowledgement from our firm for all correspondence.  If you fail to receive our receipt confirmation in two business days, please remind us promptly until confirming our acknowledgement.

Confidentiality Notice:

The information contained in this email may be confidential and/or legally privileged. It has been sent for the sole use of the intended recipient(s).  If the reader of this message is not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication, or any of its contents, is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this communication in error, please reply to the sender and destroy all copies of the message.

 

From: Yosuke TANAKA < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]> 
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 12:09 PM
To: 'Paula Alfaro' < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>
Cc: 'Guillermo Lopez' < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>; 'Luis Henriquez' < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>; 'International Bolet & Terrero' < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>; 'AOYAMA & PARTNERS' < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>
Subject: RE: [Report of Office Action] Japanese Trademark Appln. No. 2025-089940 "ESTD 1762/RON ANEJO/CARUPANO and device" (Your Ref.: 91143, Aoyama Ref.: T454955)

Dear Paula,

Thank you for your e-mail below. 

We confirm that the dealine of the response is June 30, 2026 which is extendable yp to three months.

We believe that your client is the international holding owner of the Ron Carupano trademarks in the world would be useful for Ground Nos. 1- 3, unfortunately, however, we cannot 

respond against the office action due to the conflict 0f interest on Ground No. 4. If you would like us to recommend another reliable local firm, please let us know. 

Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best regards,

Yosuke

---------------------------------------

Yosuke TANAKA (Mr.)

AOYAMA & PARTNERS

Osaka Umeda Twin Towers North 

8-1, Kakuda-cho

Kita-ku, Osaka

530-0017 JAPAN

Phone:  (81)6-6316-1261, (81)6-6316-1294(Direct)

Fax:    (81)6-6316-2241

E-Mail:  <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]　 

Note:

-- Please copy < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]> in any emails related to trademark matters with our reference number.

-- Please confirm an acknowledgement from our firm for all correspondence.  If you fail to receive our receipt confirmation in two business days, please remind us promptly until confirming our acknowledgement.

Confidentiality Notice:

The information contained in this email may be confidential and/or legally privileged. It has been sent for the sole use of the intended recipient(s).  If the reader of this message is not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication, or any of its contents, is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this communication in error, please reply to the sender and destroy all copies of the message.

From: Paula Alfaro < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]> 
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 4:18 AM
To: Yosuke TANAKA < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>
Cc: Guillermo Lopez < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>; Luis Henriquez < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>; International Bolet & Terrero < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>; 'AOYAMA & PARTNERS' < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>
Subject: Re: [Report of Office Action] Japanese Trademark Appln. No. 2025-089940 "ESTD 1762/RON ANEJO/CARUPANO and device" (Your Ref.: 91143, Aoyama Ref.: T454955)

Dear Yosuke, 

Thank you for your email. We have reviewed your communication and understand that you are unable to represent our client in this matter.

However, we would like to clarify that Caribbean International Liquors Inc is the international holding owner of the Ron Carupano trademarks in Venezuela and the rest of the world. 

Finally, could you please confirm us that the final deadline to file a response will expire on June 30, 2026?

We remain attentive and thank you for your assistance. 

Best regards, 

Paula 

 

 

  _____  

From: Yosuke TANAKA < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2026 4:49 AM
To: Paula Alfaro < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>
Cc: Guillermo Lopez < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>; Luis Henriquez < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>; International Bolet & Terrero < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>; 'AOYAMA & PARTNERS' < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]>
Subject: [Report of Office Action] Japanese Trademark Appln. No. 2025-089940 "ESTD 1762/RON ANEJO/CARUPANO and device" (Your Ref.: 91143, Aoyama Ref.: T454955) 

Ms. Paula Alfaro

BOLET & TERRERO

Your Ref.: 91143

Aoyama Ref.: T454955

Trademark Application No. 2025-089940 in Japan

Mark: ESTD 1762/RON ANEJO/CARUPANO and device

Class: 33

Applicant: CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL LIQUORS INC.

 

Dear Paula,

We enclose herewith an Office Action in connection with the above-identified application, without English translation to save costs.

The deadline to respond is June 30, 2026.  Please let us have your instructions by May 29, 2026.  Please note that this deadline may be extended upon request up to three months.

The Office Action is summarized as follows:

[The Examiner’s provisional refusal]

Ground 1: Article 4-1-10 (another party's well-known mark)

The subject mark includes the wording “RON ANEJO CARUPANO,” which is identical or similar to the mark "RON ANEJO CAPUPANO" which has been used by the company Ron Carúpano in Venezuela with respect to "rum" and well-known to consumers in Venezuela prior to the filing date of this application.  In addition, the design elements of the subject mark are also similar to those used by the said company (see below).  Since the designated goods of this application "rum; western liquors in general" are identical or similar to those associated with the well-known mark, the subject mark is considered as similar to another party's widely recognized trademark and therefore falls under Article 4-1-10 of the Trademark Law.

(1) Subject mark

 

(2) 

 

(3)

 

*(2) and (3) are shown in the following website of the company Ron Carúpano

 <https://roncarupano.com/products/ron-carupano-legendario/> Ron Carúpano Legendario - Ron Carúpano

Ground 2: Article 4-1-15 (likelihood of confusion)

The subject mark contains the wording “RON ANEJO CARUPANO” and the design elements that are identical or similar to those used by Ron Carúpano, a Venezuelan company, and widely recognized among consumers in Venezuela prior to the filing date.  Thus, the use of the subject mark with respect to the designated goods could lead consumers to misunderstand that the goods originate from, or are associated with, that company. Therefore, the subject mark falls under Article 4-1-15 of the Trademark Law.

Ground 3: Article 4-1-19 (trademark identical or similar to another party’s well-known trademark and used for unfair purposes)

The subject mark contains the wording “RON ANEJO CARUPANO” and the design elements that are identical or similar to those used by Ron Carúpano, a Venezuelan company, whose mark was widely recognized in Venezuela prior to the filing date.  In light of the company’s international recognition and the awards it has received, the similarity is unlikely to be coincidental.  It rather appears that the applicant adopted the subject mark to take unfair advantage of the established reputation and goodwill associated with the company’s marks.  Therefore, the subject mark falls under Article 4-1-19 of the Trademark Law.

Ground 4: Article 4-1-11 (another party’s prior registered trademarks)

The subject mark is confusingly similar to the prior marks as cited below:

(1) Reg. No. 0589726  in Class 33

Owner: FRATELLI BRANCA DISTILLERIE S.p.A.

(2) Reg. No. 0982484  in Class 33

Owner: FRATELLI BRANCA DISTILLERIE S.p.A.

(3) Reg. No. 2248377  in Class 33

Owner: FRATELLI BRANCA DISTILLERIE S.p.A.

(4) IR No. 1277514  in Classes 32 and 33

Owner: FRATELLI BRANCA DISTILLERIE S.p.A.

[Our advice]

As to Grounds 1 to 3

The examiner objected this application on the grounds of the global fame of the mark "RON ANEJO CARUPANO" used by Ron Carúpano, a Venezuelan company, as shown in the company's website  <https://roncarupano.com/products/ron-carupano-legendario/> Ron Carúpano Legendario - Ron Carúpano.

We can find many Japanese websites referring to this mark and it seems that this mark is also known to Japanese consumers in the field of alcoholic beverages.

We consider that it would be difficult to challenge the mark's fame.  On the other hand, if there is any relationship between your client and Ron Carúpano, these grounds may be overcome by filing arguments explaining the relationship in detail.  

As to Ground 4:

The owner of the cited marks, FRATELLI BRANCA DISTILLERIE S.p.A., is one of our clients for trademarks and we have handled cited mark Nos. 1 and 2.  Unfortunately, due to a conflict of interest, we have to refrain from providing advice on the cited marks. If you would like us to recommend another reliable local firm, please let us know. 

If you have any question, please contact us.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Yosuke TANAKA(Mr.)

AOYAMA & PARTNERS

Osaka Umeda Twin Towers North

8-1, Kakuda-cho

Kita-ku, Osaka

530-0017 JAPAN

Phone:  (81)6-6316-1261, (81)6-6316-1294(Direct)

Fax:    (81)6-6316-2241

E-Mail:  <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]　

YT:kk

Note:

-- Please copy < <mailto:[email-masked]> [email-masked]> in any emails related to trademark matters with our reference number.

-- Please confirm an acknowledgement from our firm for all correspondence.  If you fail to receive our receipt confirmation in two business days, please remind us promptly until confirming our acknowledgement.

Confidentiality Notice:

The information contained in this email may be confidential and/or legally privileged. It has been sent for the sole use of the intended recipient(s).  If the reader of this message is not an intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication, or any of its contents, is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this communication in error, please reply to the sender and destroy all copies of the message.