Zoom Ordered to Pay $1.12M in Japan Trademark Case

A Tokyo District Court has ordered U.S.-based Zoom Video Communications and its Japanese distributor to pay a total of approximately ¥182 million ($1.12 million) in damages for trademark infringement. The ruling stems from a lawsuit brought by Japanese audio equipment maker Zoom Corp. over similarities in the companies' logos.

The court determined that the videoconferencing company's logo could be mistaken for the plaintiff's mark, constituting infringement. However, it found no ongoing likelihood of confusion and declined to issue an injunction barring continued use of the mark. The award includes payments from both Zoom Video Communications and NEC Networks & System Integration Corp.

The case originated in 2020 when the Japanese firm sought to prevent use of the logo in Japan and demanded up to ¥600 million in damages. The decision highlights how courts may impose liability for past infringement even absent current consumer confusion.

The ruling sends a signal to foreign brands operating in Japan that established local trademarks can trigger damages awards regardless of fame reducing ongoing risk.

Sources: https://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/article/zoom-ordered-pay-112-million-in-japan-despite-court-finding-no-ongoing-confusion https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/04/24/zoom-trademark-lawsuit/