The Study Group for Industrial Competitiveness and Designs, a project particularly of the JPO’s Design Division, ended with a “Declaration” published on May 23, 2018, after meetings stretched out over ten months. The JPO recently published a report and interview…
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In the past Keisen Associates reported on the war being waged against JASRAC (Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers) by music schools (for example, here and here). JASRAC was tightening enforcement of its demands that music schools…
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In another article, we discussed how to fix various substantive errors in the description of a PCT application when entering the Japanese national phase. This time we will shed some light on what an applicant who wants to enter Japan’s…
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We have been asked what to do about recording a new applicant for a patent application that started in the PCT international phase but will be entering Japan. This may particularly take place after the original applicant(s) assign rights to…
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The Japan Diet’s Upper House passed laws regarding the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) revision (without the USA; often called “TPP-11”) on June 29, paving the way for the TPP-11 to affect trade and IP around the Pacific Rim. The Japanese…
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A while back, the “Ikinari! Steak” steak service patent was revoked. Now a patent that the JPO refused to invalidate in a challenge has gone up to the Supreme Court. On June 27, 2018, the Supreme Court concurred with the…
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The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has now published its initial edition of the Guide to Licensing Negotiations Involving Standard Essential Patents (issue date: June 5, 2018). This is a guide meant to help international and Japanese parties to arrange for…
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The Japanese Trademark Act has been revised as of May 30. The changes force all divisional trademark registration applications filed from June 9, 2018 to stem from a properly paid-for trademark registration application. Until this, the Trademark Act Article 10…
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The Japan Patent Office (JPO) announced on June 6 that it has begun to make available its multi-category classifications for patent inventions directed toward Internet of Things (IoT) technology in various sectors. This is to enable more precise searching and…
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There has been some guessing among patent commentators that the Japan Patent Office (JPO) will make it easier for small venture businesses to put their patent applications on the “Super Accelerated Examination” (Super souki shinsa) track, making First Action pendency…
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