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 does it take for a Japanese invention patent application to be granted?

    1-2 years

  • Explanation of Japanese Industrial Design Authorization and Annual Fee

    • Grant fee: The applicant should pay the granted fee and the annual fee for the first year within 30 days after receiving the granted notice.
    • Annuity: The annual fee shall be paid year by year from the second year from the date of granted, and the payment of the annual fee may be postponed within 6 months if the annual fee is overdue, but a 200% penalty shall be paid at the same time.

  • Which is the competent authority for Japanese invention patent applications?

    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)

  • Features of Japanese design patent application process

    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).

  • 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 deadline for utility model applications in Japan?

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.