Characteristics of Japanese invention patent application process

Submitted by 页之码 on

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.

专利申请流程

JP Japan

  • How long is the protection period of Japanese invention patent application

    20 years, and the validity period of patents for pharmaceutical inventions and pesticide inventions can be extended to 25 years upon application.

  • Instructions for authorization of Japanese invention patent application and annual fee

    • Grant fee: The applicant needs to pay the granted fee within 30 days after receiving the granted notice, which is the annual fee for the first to third years.
    • Annuity: From the 4th year from the date of granted, the annual fee will be paid year by year, and the payment can be postponed within 6 months after the overdue period, but at the same time, 200% of the annual fee of the current year must be paid as a penalty. The amount of the annual fee depends on the number of Claim, and the annual fee can be paid for several years in one lump sum.

  • Explanation of Japanese utility model application authorization and annual fee

    • 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.

  • Whether the type of Japanese industrial design application can be converted

    yes. Within 3 years from the date of application, or within 3 months from the date of receipt of the rejection decision, the patent type can be changed from design to invention/utility model at the request of the applicant.

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 Once the original patent application is converted, it will be deemed withdrawn.

  • Is Japanese Invention Patent Application Type Convertible?

    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.

  • How long is the protection period for utility model applications in Japan?

    10 years

  • Is a Japanese industrial design application eligible for DAS?

    yes

  • What are the requirements for Japanese utility model application documents?

    Filing Language: Japanese

    via Paris Convention via Nationalization of PCT

    Necessary documents:

    1. Abstract
    2. Abstract Drawing
    3. Claim
    4. Specification
    5. Drawing

    Necessary documents:

    1. Abstract
    2. Abstract Drawing
    3. Claim
    4. Specification
    5. Drawing

    Attachments (if any)

    1. Scanned Copy of Certified Priority Document / DAS
    2. Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
    3. Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
    4. Notification issued by CNIPA notify the applicant the application has passed through the security review

    Attachments (if any)

    1. WIPO Publication
    2. ISR/IPRP
    3. Entering the Japanese national phase 19/28/34/41 amended
    4. Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
    5. Assignment for Patent Right Transfer

  • How long is the PCT period for a Japanese invention patent application?

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

  • Novelty grace period for industrial design applications in Japan

    The design does not lose its novelty if it is disclosed by the designer in Japan within 12 months from the filing date/priority date.