Decline in Brand Strength Due to Trademark Infringement and Brand Imitation
First written in FY2019. 2 of 4 entries say "Restated". Latest entry: FY2024.
The whole theme swung hardest in 2023: 1 of 6 companies on the "Worse" side.
13 other companies' latest entry also says "Restated".
- FY2024RestatedAnnual report
「Due to the imitation of the names of stores operated by the Group, product content, store designs and other elements, the resulting decline in brand strength, similarities to prior trademarks held by third parties and other reasons, the Group may receive claims from third parties for damages relating to trademark infringement and other matters, as well as claims for cessation of trademark use.」
The company continues to disclose the risks of declining brand strength due to imitation and claims for trademark infringement. - FY2023WorsenedAnnual report
「Damage arising from inappropriate information posted using social media and the internet includes inappropriate posts by restaurant employees, as well as, more recently, an increasing number of videos posted by customers showing nuisance behavior at stores.」
In addition to information posted by employees, videos of nuisance behavior by customers visiting stores have also been included as a factor contributing to reputational damage. - FY2020RestatedAnnual report
「Due to the imitation of the names of stores operated by the Group, product content, store designs and other elements, the resulting decline in brand strength, similarities to prior trademarks held by third parties and other reasons, the Group may receive claims from third parties for damages for trademark infringement and cessation of trademark use.」
The company continues to disclose the risks of trademark infringement, declining brand strength due to imitation, and claims for damages or cessation of use. - FY2019First statedAnnual report
「Due to the imitation of the names of stores operated by the Group, product content, store designs and other elements, the resulting decline in brand strength, similarities to prior trademarks held by third parties and other reasons, the Group may receive claims from third parties for damages for trademark infringement and cessation of trademark use.」
The company has, for the first time, presented brand and legal risks associated with imitation of store names, products and store designs, and prior trademarks held by third parties as a separate risk item.