Which is the competent authority for Japanese invention patent applications?

The JPO conducts formality examination only for utility model patent applications.

3-6 months

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 30 months from the earliest priority date.

Inventors have a novelty grace period of 12 months after disclosure (including sale).

10 years

1-2 years

yes

yes.

• Within the period of 9 years and 6 months from the date of application for the invention patent, or within 3 months from the date of receipt of the notification of rejection, the patent type of the invention patent may be changed from invention to utility model/design upon request
• A request to change the patent type from invention to utility model/design can be filed within three months from the date of the JPO’s first decision to reject the application

A conversion fee shall be paid for patent type conversion. Once the original patent application is converted, it will be deemed withdrawn.

• Grant fee: The applicant should pay the granted fee and the annual fee for the first year within 30 days after receiving the granted notice.
• Annuity: The annual fee shall be paid year by year from the second year from the date of granted, and the payment of the annual fee may be postponed within 6 months if the annual fee is overdue, but a 200% penalty shall be paid at the same time.

Inventors have a novelty grace period of 12 months after disclosure (including sale).