Ismai no longer selling kyokushin goods

[hokuto12]

Just went on the website first time for years and saw this notice.


【NOTICE ON KYOKUSHIN GOODS】
We regret to announce that we are no longer able to sell our Kyokushin goods anymore, due to the trademark issue of “Kyokushin”.

As we don’t have the information about the stores selling Kyokushin goods now, we are very sorry that we can’t assist you with the purchase of Kyokushin goods.

We appreciate your patronage on our Kyokushin goods for long time, and apologize for this inconvenience.

As for the purchase of Kyokushin gi, please contact the headquarter of Kyokushin group you belong to, and follow their instruction.



Might have been stated before and I missed it.

[MMX]

I heard that from another guy here locally. Bummer.

[hokuto12]

I'm sure their internet business will suffer greatly, but their shops should be fine.
Wonder if anything bigger is going to happen and this is just the start.

[azam]

The whole trademark issue is a weird one. I can understand wanting to distinguish organisations from one another but trademarking a style and it's logo is a very strange thing. Even more so when that style itself has parent styles.

I wonder what would have been of Kyokushin if Funakoshi had decided to trademark Shotokan Karate and Miyagi had decided to trademark Goju ryu. Where does it stop? What if someone has the idea to trademark kata next?


As for the Isami issue - it happened a while back. I think the trademark issue is starting to come into effect over in Japan after the legal issues were settled a few years back.

I'm not so sure there internet business will suffer all that greatly to be honest - they might feel it a little for sure. For the last decade Isami have made a concerted effort with expanding the products they sell. There Karate uniforms are renowned worldwide and so are there BJJ Uniforms and general gear. If this happened 10 years ago - they would have been in a shit show.

Not sure it will spread outside of Japan - as the trademark issues are only applicable in Japan. Trademarks outside of Japan are owned by an array of people.

[meguro]

This is sad news, but expected I guess. I have a bunch of Isami dogi. The fit and feel are what I've grown used to. They exemplify quality dogi, for me. I also have one Ichigeki dogi- sold by IKO1. This is my least favorite dogi. I like the embroidery, but the fit and feel are not to my liking.