20 years, and the validity period of patents for pharmaceutical inventions and pesticide inventions can be extended to 25 years upon application.
- Grant fee: The applicant shall pay the granted fee within 30 days after receiving the granted notice.
- Annuity: The annual fee for the first to third years must be paid together with the application fee when the patent application is filed, and the annual fee will be paid year by year from the fourth year, and the payment period corresponds to the granted date. 200% of the year's annual fee paid within the month is a late fee.
Japan Patent Office
English: Japan Patent Office, abbreviation: JPO
Website: Japan Patent Office (jpo.go.jp)
Japanese Utility Model Patent Search: Japan Platform for Patent Information｜J-PlatPat [JPP] (inpit.go.jp)
yes.
- Within 3 years from the filing date, the patent type can be changed from utility model to invention upon request of the applicant
- Utility model patents can be converted to design patents at any time
A conversion fee shall be paid for patent type conversion. Once the original patent application is converted, it will be deemed withdrawn.
Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care."
The JPO conducts formality examination and substantive examination of invention patent applications. The applicant should submit a request for substantive examination within 3 years from the filing date. The JPO makes an granted decision if it determines after review that no grounds for refusal have been found.
Inventors have a novelty grace period of 12 months after disclosure (including sale).
yes
20 years, and the validity period of patents for pharmaceutical inventions and pesticide inventions can be extended to 25 years upon application.
10 years
yes