GINETEX is a non-profit organisation that owns and oversees the use of textile care labelling symbols used on billions of garments annually. As the national member representing GINETEX in japan, Kaken is responsible for licensing Japanese companies using the textile care labelling symbols under the ISO 3758 standard overseas. In addition, in recent years, textile durability has been the focus of attention as an initiative to reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry. GINETEX is promoting a globally standardized textile care labelling symbols system, as well as a tool to promote sustainable textile care logo ' clevercare.info ' to promote communication between brands and consumers.
 

Licensing of trademarks for textile care labelling symbols

Intellectual property rights relating to textile care labelling symbols

  • WIPO国際登録番号　849319
    WIPO international registration number 849319.
     
  • WIPO国際登録番号　1009836
    WIPO international registration number 1009836.

GINETEX and COFREET hold intellectual property rights of the basic symbols used in the ISO 3758 standard, the international standard for textile care labelling symbols. Within the ISO 3758 standard, ISO recognises the intellectual property rights of GINETEX and COFREET for the textile care labelling symbols which have been adopted as an international standard.

Use of textile care labelling symbols and their relationship to intellectual property rights in Japan

JIS L 0001, which defines the textile care labelling symbols used in Japan, has been harmonized with the international standard ISO 3758.Japanese companies using the ISO 3758 textile care labelling symbols abroad need to obtain a trade mark license agreement through Kaken, taking into account the intellectual property rights of GINETEX and COFREET.

Licensing schemes

  1. Products, etc., with textile care labelling symbols as defined in ISO 3758 standard.
  2. Japanese companies that sell, etc. abroad under their own name or brand may apply to Kaken for a license agreement to use the trade mark.
A trademark license agreement for the use of the textile care labelling symbols will be concluded between Kaken and the applicant who will be required to pay an annual fee for the use of the trademark. The applicant who has obtained a license from Kaken, will be able to develop its business activities in textile products worldwide without having to worry about infringements of the intellectual property rights of GINETEX and COFREET.

About GINETEX and COFREET

GINETEX is a non-profit organisation set up in Paris, France under French law to develop language-independent trademark. COFREET is the GINETEX National Member in France, a non-profit organization established under the French law. GINETEX allows only one National Member per country, COFREET is a non-profit organisation established under French law and is a French GINETEX member.

Q&A on licensing of intellectual property for textile care labelling symbols
1
I heard that 'ISO recognizes GINETEX and COFREET's ownership rights with regard to its textile care labelling symbols.', but is there a specific description in the ISO 3758 standard?
1

It is described in the Introduction to the international standard ISO 3758:2023. The same is also stated in Annex B of ISO 3758:2023 and Annex B of JIS L 0001.

Introduction part of ISO 3758:2023, the international standard for textile care labelling symbols (extract).
"(Omitted),this code of graphic symbols was established, based on the International Association for Textile Care Labelling (GINETEX) care labelling system, for use in the permanent marking of textile articles with information on their care in use as an International Standard in 1991. In certain countries, GINETEX has the intellectual property right of the five main symbols specified in this document."

2
Which businesses are eligible to apply for a license to use trademark abroad?
2

①  Products, etc.* with textile care labelling symbols as defined in ISO 3758 standard.

② Japanese companies selling or offering** abroad under their own name or brand may apply to Kaken for a license to use the trade mark.

*Printed materials such as catalogues, brochures and instruction manuals are also covered.
**Textiles and printed materials provided free of charge are also covered.

Businesses engaged in OEM (contract manufacturing of goods to be sold under the brand name of the contracting partner) production are not eligible to apply for a license to use the trademark. The licensees are manufacturers of textile products, etc., not production contractor factories or retailers. Retailers or manufacturers in other industries who sell textile products, etc. under their own name or brand will fall within the scope of the licensees.

3
If we sell abroad, do we always have to apply for permission to use the trade mark?
3

Companies can decide independently which the trade mark they wish to use. By obtaining a trade mark license from Kaken, you can conduct your business activities worldwide without having to worry about infringement of intellectual property rights.

4
How can I obtain a license to use the trademark?
4

Once you understand the 'Regulations for the Licensing of Intellectual Property in Relationto the textile care labelling Symbols of Textile Products', you are required to conclude a contract with Kaken. First of all, please contact the contact point of Kaken for further information. These rules will be given to you when you have specifically consulted us about your application.

5
Does a trademark license agreement need to be signed for each country/region if the trademark is to be sold abroad?
5

Trademark license agreements under the GINETEX scheme do not require a separate Trademark license agreements under the GINETEX scheme do not require a separate concluded and the trademark can be used worldwide.

About clevercare.info

clevercare.info is a worldwide-known logo for sustainable textile care. The textile care labelling symbols indicate maximum care methods that will avoid any irreversible damage to the garment. But in the majority of cases, weaker treatment and lower temperatures than indicated symbols will not cause handling problems. The clevercare.info logo shows that by following the handling tips provided on clevercare.info , consumers can extend the life of their favorite garments and other textile products, while at the same time taking care of our planet. The logo, which has been adopted by many brands worldwide, can be used free of charge by licensees who have signed the trademark use agreement for the care labelling symbols for textile products. clevercare.info can be used as your communication tools with consumers in various media, such as websites and printed material, as well as product labels.




 


For more information on clevercare.info, click here or contact the International Department of Kaken.

CONTACT

 
    Sustainability Management Promotion Dept.
Global Technical Support Office
TEL：+81- 3-6736-5408

MAIL： techsupport@kaken.or.jp