Novelty grace period for utility model applications in Japan

Submitted by 页之码 on

Inventors have a novelty grace period of 12 months after disclosure (including sale).

专利申请流程

JP Japan

  • Whether a Japanese industrial design application can apply for a combined appearance

    yes. Multiple designs may be included in one design application.

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 Once the original patent application is converted, it will be deemed withdrawn.

  • 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.

  • Which is the competent authority for utility model patent applications in Japan?

    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)

  • How long is the protection period of industrial design in Japan?

    25 years

  • How long is the application period for industrial design in Japan?

    • via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
    • Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date.

  • What are the requirements for Japanese invention patent 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. Sequence Listing (PDF format and TXT format)
    2. Microorganism preservation certificate and its Japanese translation
    3. Microorganism survival certificate and its Japanese translation
    4. Scanned Copy of Certified Priority Document / DAS
    5. Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
    6. Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
    7. 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. Sequence Listing (PDF format and TXT format)
    5. Microorganism preservation certificate and its Japanese translation
    6. Microorganism survival certificate and its Japanese translation
    7. Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
    8. Assignment for Patent Right Transfer

  • Is Japanese Utility Model Application Type Convertible?

    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.

  • Features of Japanese Utility Model Patent Application Process

    The JPO conducts formality examination only for utility model patent applications.

  • 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