* January 2018 update: This patent has been revoked as of late 2017. Pepper Food Service (Tokyo), owner of the growing “Ikinari! Steak” franchise, obtained a patent (the link is to the patent owner’s Japanese press release) for its “System…
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The examinations that start on or after April 1, 2016 regarding food use patent applications and patent term extensions will follow the JPO’s updated Examination Guidelines and Handbook ,for patent and utility model examinations. Furthermore, the JPO will examine applications…
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The Japanese Examination Guidelines for trademarks has been updated again (rev. 12th ed.). This new edition’s standards will go into effect from April 1, 2016. The revisions clarify various types of allowable trademarks, as well as updated information based on…
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The JPO has published the completely updated “Examination Guidelines for Patents and Utility Models” and “Examination Handbook for Patents and Utility Models” on September 16, 2015. (The “Guidelines” take effect only for examinations conducted from October 1, 2015.) An important…
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* Changes to the Patent Act of Japan, going into effect from April 1, 2023, make this article outdated for patent deadlines on or after that date. Please see our news article here for more information. Is it possible to…
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The Japan Patent Office’s (JPO) new guidelines for filing an appeal against an examiner’s “Notice of Final Refusal” will go into effect April 1, 2009. The JPO is responding to a long-standing complaint among Japanese applicants who’ve been frustrated by…
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The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has created a new logo to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the industrial property right system in Japan. more info
The Japan Patent Office’s (JPO) 2010 Annual Report was published in May. The 200-page report disclosed both domestic and international trends in applications, registrations, time for pendency, number of trials and other data of interest. The following are some of…
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An international pact on tackling counterfeit and pirated goods was tentatively agreed upon among 11 nations and regions in a global negotiation that took place October 2 in Tokyo. The main feature of this Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement or ACTA is…
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At the 3rd meeting of the Committee on Examination Standards held on June 30, 2009, the Committee concluded that a revision of the examination guidelines will not be necessary at this time in light of stable granting of patent rights…
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