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

10 years

• 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.

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

Reinstatement of priority on grounds of "due care" accepted.

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 Once the original patent application is converted, it will be deemed withdrawn.

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. Multiple designs may be included in one design application.

1-2 years