PROJECT AGAINST THE REGISTRATION OF
THE TRADEMARK STRAIGHT EDGE
On April xx, 2026, following a news report about an apparel brand named “STRAIGHT EDGE”,
I was strictly shocked to learn that the brand name “STRAIGHT EDGE” had already been approved for trademark registration in Japan.
As a subculture enthusiast with 35 years of experience as a PUNKS
and 16 years as a professional trademark attorney,
I was overcome by a sense of urgency
—I felt that if I did not do everything I possibly could to prevent this trademark registration from being finalized,
I would be forced to live the rest of my life filled with strict regret
—and I simply couldn’t sit still at all.
Therefore, I approached the members of the “PROJECT AGAINST THE REGISTRATION OF THE TRADEMARK STRAIGHT EDGE”,
who were organizing a petition campaign,
and—after obtaining approval from the patent firm with which I am associated—
decided to participate in this case on a pro bono basis as PUNKS TRADEMARK ATTORNEY.
And then, on June 11, 2026, I, kzszk a.k.a. PUNKS TRADEMARK ATTORNEY,
appeared on the special program broadcast on DOMMUNE,
a leading Japanese streaming platform known for digging deep into subcultural issues, to provide commentary on this matter.
PROJECT AGAINST THE REGISTRATION OF
THE TRADEMARK STRAIGHT EDGE
EXCERPT FROM THE STATEMENT
BY THE PROJECT AGAINST THE REGISTRATION OF
THE TRADEMARK STRAIGHT EDGE
Petition: Opposition to the Trademarking of “STRAIGHT EDGE” in JAPAN
・Core Statement
We oppose the trademark registration of "STRAIGHT EDGE" by a specific corporation, which disregards its profound ideological and historical significance.
・The Current Situation
On April 13, 2026, it was announced via web news that a new apparel brand named "STRAIGHT EDGE" (represented by Kazuya Hiroe and CNO Akihiro Nishino) has been launched.
Upon investigation, we confirmed that trademark applications for "STRAIGHT EDGE" have been filed.
Trademark Application Details:
(Source: J-PlatPat - Japan Platform for Patent Information)
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp
Application No. 2024-135149: straight edge (Standard Characters)
Application No. 2025-037405: STRAIGHT EDGE (Stylized Logotype Characters)
We firmly believe that the term "STRAIGHT EDGE" should not be monopolized by any single corporation.
This act contradicts the fundamental spirit of trademark law and represents an unjust "privatization of culture".
We are launching this petition to gather support for a formal Notice of Opposition to revoke these registrations.
The louder our voice, the higher the possibility of cancellation. If you stand with us, please sign and share↓
c.org/Q59Sdk4jkP
