--- title: "Partial Refusal in Japan: Will the Non-Refused Goods Survive If You Do Nothing? — Madrid Protocol Designations" description: "Your JPO Notification of Provisional Refusal says it concerns only some of your goods. Does the rest register automatically if you ignore it? Why silence is dangerous in Japan: the Decision of Refusal is framed on the application as a whole, and the safe way to save the clean part is a short response." image: https://www.evorix.jp/hubfs/blog-thumbnails/face-japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing#main-content) - [English](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) - [Chinese](https://www.evorix.jp/zh/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) - [Deutsch (German)](https://www.evorix.jp/de/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) - [Español (Spanish)](https://www.evorix.jp/es/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) - [Français (French)](https://www.evorix.jp/fr/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) - [Português (Portuguese)](https://www.evorix.jp/pt/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) - [한국어 (Korean)](https://www.evorix.jp/ko/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) English Show submenu for translations [![知的財産事務所エボリクス/EVORIX/大阪/特許・商標・意匠登](https://www.evorix.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/%E7%9F%A5%E7%9A%84%E8%B2%A1%E7%94%A3%E4%BA%8B%E5%8B%99%E6%89%80%E3%82%A8%E3%83%9C%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%20(500%20%C3%97%20250%20px).png?width=500&height=250&name=%E7%9F%A5%E7%9A%84%E8%B2%A1%E7%94%A3%E4%BA%8B%E5%8B%99%E6%89%80%E3%82%A8%E3%83%9C%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%20(500%20%C3%97%20250%20px).png)](https://www.evorix.jp/) - 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[한국어 (Korean)](https://www.evorix.jp/ko/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) English Show submenu for translations - [Contact](https://www.evorix.jp/en/inquiry) [Contact](https://www.evorix.jp/en/inquiry) 2026/09/02 # Partial Refusal in Japan: Will the Non-Refused Goods Survive If You Do Nothing? — Madrid Protocol Designations ![Picture of Takefumi Sugiura – Japanese Patent Attorney](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/4ef5aa3d824852243e3f9a0ef7c7a511) [Takefumi Sugiura – Japanese Patent Attorney](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/author/takefumi-sugiura-japanese-patent-attorney) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) ![Partial Refusal in Japan: Will the Non-Refused Goods Survive If You Do Nothing? — Madrid Protocol Designations](https://www.evorix.jp/hubfs/blog-thumbnails/face-japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing.png) Many Notifications of Provisional Refusal from Japan carry a detail that looks reassuring: the refusal concerns **only part** of your goods and services. A natural conclusion follows — “the rest must be safe, so I can ignore this.” In Japan, that conclusion is dangerous. This article explains what a partial refusal actually means in a Madrid Protocol designation of Japan, why silence puts even the clean goods at risk, and the one-page response that removes the risk entirely. Table of Contents 1. [What “partial” means on your Notification](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing#a1) 2. [Why doing nothing is dangerous in Japan](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing#a2) 3. [The cheap fix: a deletion amendment](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing#a3) 4. [When fighting beats deleting](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing#a4) 5. [Deadline — including the after-expiry rescue](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing#a5) 6. [FAQ](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing#faq) ## 1. What “Partial” Means on Your Notification Before anything else, check **Item II on the first page** — it tells you the scope in one line, in fixed wording: | If the Notification says… | It means | | --- | --- | | “This trademark application shall be **totally refused** protection” | Every designated item is objected to. Nothing proceeds unless you respond. | | “This provisional refusal affects **all** the goods and/or services covered in this application” | Same practical effect — the whole application is caught, even though the ground may concern only one cited mark. | | Wording limiting the refusal to listed items, with the rest not mentioned | A genuine partial refusal — the situation this article addresses. | Read that line before drawing any conclusion about what is safe. A refusal grounded in a single conflicting mark can still be framed as affecting *all* goods and services in the application. Then **count the grounds**. Item V may list Ground 1, Ground 2 and Ground 3 in one Notification — for example [vague wording](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-refusal-vague-goods-services), an [intent-to-use doubt](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-article-3-1-use-intent-refusal) and a prior-mark citation together, each aimed at a different slice of your specification. The form itself warns that curing one ground leaves the application “still falling under (an)other ground(s)”. Every ground needs an answer in the same response; the “clean” goods are only those untouched by *all* of them. Where the refusal genuinely is partial, the JPO examiner reviewed your whole specification and found grounds — a prior similar mark under [Article 4(1)(xi)](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/article-4-1-11-non-similarity-strategies), [vague goods wording](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-refusal-vague-goods-services), or an [intent-to-use doubt](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-article-3-1-use-intent-refusal) — against the items listed in the Notification, and none against the rest. So far, so good: the dispute is genuinely confined to the listed items. ## 2. Why Doing Nothing Is Dangerous in Japan The trap is in what happens next. Article 15 of the Japan Trademark Act directs the examiner, where a ground exists, to issue a Decision of Refusal *on the trademark application* — the decision is framed on the application as such, not item by item. Japanese examination practice has no mechanism that automatically severs the unobjected goods and walks them through to registration while the objected ones quietly lapse. Waiting in silence therefore gambles the goods you care about on procedural mercy the statute does not promise. **The rule of thumb for Japan:** a partial refusal is an invitation to respond, not permission to ignore. The response that secures the clean goods can be a single deletion amendment — minutes of drafting, not a legal battle. ## 3. The Cheap Fix: a Deletion Amendment If the refused items do not matter commercially in Japan, instruct a Japanese attorney to file a short amendment (手続補正書) deleting exactly those items. The ground of refusal disappears with them; examination proceeds for the remaining goods toward a Statement of Grant of Protection. No argument, no evidence, no negotiation — this is the floor-cost way to convert a partial refusal into a partial win. ## 4. When Fighting Beats Deleting Deletion is the floor, not the ceiling. A cited prior mark can be argued around (non-similarity), neutralized with a [Letter of Consent](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/letter-of-consent-japan-2024) under the 2024 amendment, or sometimes cleared away entirely — a registration unused for three years is vulnerable to a non-use cancellation. Vague-wording objections cost little to cure by rewording. Weigh the commercial value of the refused goods against the cost of each route — our [cost estimate](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-cost-2026) and the options matrix in the [complete response guide](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) are built for exactly that decision. ## 5. Deadline — Including the After-Expiry Rescue Everything above must happen by the deadline stated on your Notification (typically three months for overseas holders). Two extension routes exist under current JPO practice — +1 month requested before expiry, or +2 months requested within two months *after* expiry (official fee JPY 4,200, available only if nothing was filed in time). Full rules, with the JPO source: [Response to Madrid Refusal in Japan: Complete Guide](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal). ## Frequently Asked Questions My Notification says the refusal concerns only part of my goods. What does that mean? The examiner found grounds — a conflicting prior mark, vague wording, or an intent-to-use doubt — against some items in your specification and no grounds against the rest. The listed items are the entire battlefield; the rest is not in dispute. If I do nothing, will the non-refused goods proceed to registration automatically? That is not a safe assumption in Japan. Article 15 of the Trademark Act frames the examiner’s Decision of Refusal as a decision on the trademark application as such, and Japanese practice has no mechanism that automatically severs the clean goods and registers them while the objected goods lapse. The reliable way to secure the clean part is to respond — deleting the objected items is usually enough. What is the cheapest way to save the non-refused goods? A short amendment (手続補正書) deleting the refused items, filed through a Japanese attorney before the deadline. No argument, no evidence — the refusal ground disappears with the deleted goods, and prosecution proceeds for what remains. Is it worth fighting for the refused goods instead of deleting them? Often yes — prior-mark citations can be argued or resolved with a Letter of Consent, and vague-wording objections can be cured by rewording. Deleting is the floor, not the ceiling. Compare the options in our complete response guide before deciding. I only discovered the Notification after the deadline. Is everything lost? Not necessarily. Under JPO practice since January 2022, an extension of two months can be requested within two months after the response period expired (official fee JPY 4,200), provided no response was filed in time. Move immediately — send the Notification PDF to Japanese counsel the day you find it. FOR HOLDERS & FOREIGN COUNSEL ### Received a Provisional Refusal for Japan? Send us the Notification PDF — EVORIX responds to JPO Office Actions for overseas holders. Free assessment and a fixed quote within 3-5 business days. [View Service Page →](https://www.evorix.jp/en/japan-trademark-refusal-response) [Email contact@evorix.jp](mailto:contact@evorix.jp) Related Articles - [Japan Refused Your Goods/Services as Vague or Indefinite? How to Fix the Specification in a Madrid Designation](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-refusal-vague-goods-services) - [Article 3(1) Main Paragraph Refusal in Japan: When the JPO Doubts Your Intent to Use — and How to Prove It](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-article-3-1-use-intent-refusal) - [Response to Madrid Refusal in Japan: Complete Guide (Deadlines & Options)](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) - [Responding to a JPO Provisional Refusal: A Practical Guide for Foreign Counsel](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/responding-to-jpo-provisional-refusal-foreign-counsel) - [Top 5 Reasons for Trademark Refusals in Japan and How to Overcome Them](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-refusal-top-5-reasons) - [Article 4(1)(11): Strategies to Argue Non-Similarity in Japan](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/article-4-1-11-non-similarity-strategies) - [Letter of Consent in Japan: Practice After the 2024 Amendment](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/letter-of-consent-japan-2024) - [Cost Estimate: Japan Trademark Office Action Response](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-cost-2026) Disclaimer This article provides general information about Japanese trademark practice as of September 2026 and does not constitute legal advice. Examination practice and official fees may change; the deadline and options for a specific case depend on the documents actually issued. Please consult a qualified Japanese attorney about your specific matter. Sources - Japan Trademark Act, Articles 3, 6 and 15 (Japanese text) — [laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/334AC0000000127](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/334AC0000000127) - JPO Trademark Examination Guidelines, Part II (Article 3(1) main paragraph) — [www.jpo.go.jp/system/laws/rule/guideline/trademark/kijun/document/index/04\_3-1-hashira.pdf](https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/laws/rule/guideline/trademark/kijun/document/index/04_3-1-hashira.pdf) - JPO Trademark Examination Handbook 41.100.03 (confirmation of use / intent to use) — [www.jpo.go.jp/system/laws/rule/guideline/trademark/binran/document/index/41\_100\_03.pdf](https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/laws/rule/guideline/trademark/binran/document/index/41_100_03.pdf) - JPO notice: extension practice for responses (from January 1, 2022) — [www.jpo.go.jp/system/trademark/shinsa/letter/kyozetu\_entyou\_220101.html](https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/trademark/shinsa/letter/kyozetu_entyou_220101.html) ## Related posts [![Madrid Protocol in Japan: What to Expect After the Provisional Refusal](https://www.evorix.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini_Generated_Image_widt6nwidt6nwidt.jpg?height=200&name=Gemini_Generated_Image_widt6nwidt6nwidt.jpg)](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) ## [Response to Madrid Refusal in Japan: Deadlines, Options & What Happens Next After a JPO Provisional Refusal](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) ![Picture of Takefumi Sugiura – Japanese Patent Attorney](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/4ef5aa3d824852243e3f9a0ef7c7a511) [Takefumi Sugiura – Japanese Patent Attorney](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/author/takefumi-sugiura-japanese-patent-attorney) 2026/05/23 You designated Japan through the Madrid Protocol — and now a document titled “Notification of... [Read more](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) [![Article 3(1) Main Paragraph Refusal in Japan: When the JPO Doubts Your Intent to Use — and How to Prove It](https://www.evorix.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-thumbnails/face-japan-trademark-article-3-1-use-intent-refusal.png?height=200&name=face-japan-trademark-article-3-1-use-intent-refusal.png)](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-article-3-1-use-intent-refusal) ## [Article 3(1) Main Paragraph Refusal in Japan: When the JPO Doubts Your Intent to Use — and How to Prove It](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-article-3-1-use-intent-refusal) ![Picture of Takefumi Sugiura – Japanese Patent Attorney](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/4ef5aa3d824852243e3f9a0ef7c7a511) [Takefumi Sugiura – Japanese Patent Attorney](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/author/takefumi-sugiura-japanese-patent-attorney) 2026/09/02 Some JPO refusals do not cite anyone else’s trademark. A refusal under the main paragraph of... [Read more](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-article-3-1-use-intent-refusal) [![Responding to a JPO Provisional Refusal: A Practical Guide for Foreign Counsel](https://www.evorix.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini_Generated_Image_9fwoo39fwoo39fwo.jpg?height=200&name=Gemini_Generated_Image_9fwoo39fwoo39fwo.jpg)](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/responding-to-jpo-provisional-refusal-foreign-counsel) ## [Responding to a JPO Provisional Refusal: A Practical Guide for Foreign Counsel](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/responding-to-jpo-provisional-refusal-foreign-counsel) ![Picture of Takefumi Sugiura – Japanese Patent Attorney](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/4ef5aa3d824852243e3f9a0ef7c7a511) [Takefumi Sugiura – Japanese Patent Attorney](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/author/takefumi-sugiura-japanese-patent-attorney) 2026/05/23 When the Japan Patent Office (JPO) issues a Provisional Refusal against a Madrid Protocol... [Read more](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/responding-to-jpo-provisional-refusal-foreign-counsel) --- [![知的財産事務所エボリクス/EVORIX/大阪/特許・商標・意匠登](https://www.evorix.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/%E7%9F%A5%E7%9A%84%E8%B2%A1%E7%94%A3%E4%BA%8B%E5%8B%99%E6%89%80%E3%82%A8%E3%83%9C%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%20(500%20%C3%97%20250%20px).png?width=500&height=250&name=%E7%9F%A5%E7%9A%84%E8%B2%A1%E7%94%A3%E4%BA%8B%E5%8B%99%E6%89%80%E3%82%A8%E3%83%9C%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%20(500%20%C3%97%20250%20px).png "知的財産事務所エボリクス/EVORIX/大阪/特許・商標・意匠登")](https://www.evorix.jp) Intellectual Property Law Firm EVORIX   4th Floor, Qus-Hiranomachi Building, 3-1-2 Hiranomachi, Chuo-Ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 541-0046 Japan Mail: [contact@evorix.jp](mailto:contact@evorix.jp) TEL: +81-6-7777-1884 - [Hague International Design Application](https://www.evorix.jp/hague-design-application) - [Madrid Protocol International Trademark Application](https://www.evorix.jp/madrid-protocol-trademark) - [Amazon IP Infringement Support](https://www.evorix.jp/amazon-infringement) - [About Us](https://www.evorix.jp/about) - [Our Attorneys](https://www.evorix.jp/staff) - [Services](https://www.evorix.jp/contents) - [Consultation Process](https://www.evorix.jp/consultation) - [Blog](https://www.evorix.jp/blog) - [Careers](https://www.evorix.jp/recruit) - [Trademark Portfolio](https://www.evorix.jp/trademark-list) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.evorix.jp/hubfs/%E8%B3%87%E6%96%99/HP-%E3%83%97%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%90%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9D%E3%83%AA%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC.pdf) - [Contact](https://www.evorix.jp/inquiry) ---   Copyright © 2026, Intellectual Property Law Firm EVORIX® All rights reserved.  ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Takefumi Sugiura – Japanese Patent Attorney", "url" : "https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/author/takefumi-sugiura-japanese-patent-attorney" }, "dateModified" : "2026-09-02T06:47:42.504Z", "datePublished" : "2026-09-02T06:49:36.000Z", "headline" : "Partial Refusal in Japan: Will the Non-Refused Goods Survive If You Do Nothing? — Madrid Protocol Designations", "image" : [ "https://www.evorix.jp/hubfs/blog-thumbnails/face-japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.evorix.jp/hubfs/%E7%9F%A5%E7%9A%84%E8%B2%A1%E7%94%A3%E4%BA%8B%E5%8B%99%E6%89%80%E3%82%A8%E3%83%9C%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%20(500%20%C3%97%20250%20px).png" }, "name" : "知的財産事務所エボリクス" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "jobTitle" : "Patent Attorney (Benrishi)", "name" : "SUGIURA Takefumi", "url" : "https://www.evorix.jp/staff", "worksFor" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "EVORIX IP Firm" } }, "dateModified" : "2026-09-02", "datePublished" : "2026-09-02", "description" : "Your JPO Notification of Provisional Refusal says it concerns only some of your goods. Does the rest register automatically if you ignore it? Why silence is dangerous in Japan: the Decision of Refusal is framed on the application as a whole, and the safe way to save the clean part is a short response.", "headline" : "Partial Refusal in Japan: Will the Non-Refused Goods Survive If You Do Nothing? — Madrid Protocol Designations", "image" : [ { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.evorix.jp/hubfs/blog-thumbnails/face-japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing.png" } ], "inLanguage" : "en", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "EVORIX IP Firm", "url" : "https://www.evorix.jp" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "FAQPage", "mainEntity" : [ { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The examiner found grounds — a conflicting prior mark, vague wording, or an intent-to-use doubt — against some items in your specification and no grounds against the rest. The listed items are the entire battlefield; the rest is not in dispute." }, "name" : "My Notification says the refusal concerns only part of my goods. What does that mean?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "That is not a safe assumption in Japan. Article 15 of the Trademark Act frames the examiner’s Decision of Refusal as a decision on the trademark application as such, and Japanese practice has no mechanism that automatically severs the clean goods and registers them while the objected goods lapse. The reliable way to secure the clean part is to respond — deleting the objected items is usually enough." }, "name" : "If I do nothing, will the non-refused goods proceed to registration automatically?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "A short amendment (手続補正書) deleting the refused items, filed through a Japanese attorney before the deadline. No argument, no evidence — the refusal ground disappears with the deleted goods, and prosecution proceeds for what remains." }, "name" : "What is the cheapest way to save the non-refused goods?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Often yes — prior-mark citations can be argued or resolved with a Letter of Consent, and vague-wording objections can be cured by rewording. Deleting is the floor, not the ceiling. Compare the options in our complete response guide before deciding." }, "name" : "Is it worth fighting for the refused goods instead of deleting them?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Not necessarily. Under JPO practice since January 2022, an extension of two months can be requested within two months after the response period expired (official fee JPY 4,200), provided no response was filed in time. Move immediately — send the Notification PDF to Japanese counsel the day you find it." }, "name" : "I only discovered the Notification after the deadline. Is everything lost?" } ] } ```