Inventors have a novelty grace period of 12 months after disclosure (including sale).
- Inventors have a novelty grace period of 12 months after disclosure (including sale). 
- 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
 
- Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care." 
- 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
 
- 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. 
- Japan Patent Office - English: Japan Patent Office, abbreviation: JPO - Website: Japan Patent Office (jpo.go.jp) - Japanese Invention Patent Search: Japan Platform for Patent Information|J-PlatPat [JPP] (inpit.go.jp) 
- 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).
 
- 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. 
- 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. 
- via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
- Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date.
 
