The JPO conducts formality examination and substantive examination of the design patent application, and the substantive examination starts automatically, and the applicant does not need to submit a separate substantive examination request. JPO mainly examines the novelty and inventiveness of designs.
- (*Secret design: applicants can request that their design remain secret for 3 years from the filing date).
- Filing Language: Japanese - via Paris Convention - via Nationalization of PCT - Necessary documents: - Abstract
- Abstract Drawing
- Claim
- Specification
- Drawing
 - Necessary documents: - Abstract
- Abstract Drawing
- Claim
- Specification
- Drawing
 - Attachments (if any) - Sequence Listing (PDF format and TXT format)
- Microorganism preservation certificate and its Japanese translation
- Microorganism survival certificate and its Japanese translation
- Scanned Copy of Certified Priority Document / DAS
- Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
- Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
- Notification issued by CNIPA notify the applicant the application has passed through the security review
 - Attachments (if any) - WIPO Publication
- ISR/IPRP
- Entering the Japanese national phase 19/28/34/41 amended
- Sequence Listing (PDF format and TXT format)
- Microorganism preservation certificate and its Japanese translation
- Microorganism survival certificate and its Japanese translation
- Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
- Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
 
- 10 years 
- Filing Language: Japanese - via Paris Convention - via Nationalization of PCT - Necessary documents: - Abstract
- Abstract Drawing
- Claim
- Specification
- Drawing
 - Necessary documents: - Abstract
- Abstract Drawing
- Claim
- Specification
- Drawing
 - Attachments (if any) - Scanned Copy of Certified Priority Document / DAS
- Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
- Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
- Notification issued by CNIPA notify the applicant the application has passed through the security review
 - Attachments (if any) - WIPO Publication
- ISR/IPRP
- Entering the Japanese national phase 19/28/34/41 amended
- Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
- Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
 
- yes. Multiple designs may be included in one design application. 
- 3-6 months 
- yes 
- 25 years 
- Filing Language: Japanese - Necessary documents: - Exterior Design Picture (Six Views)
- A Brief Description
 - Attachments (if any): - Scanned Copy of Certified Priority Document / DAS
- Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
- Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
 
- Inventors have a novelty grace period of 12 months after disclosure (including sale). 
- 1-2 years 
