1. What is a “Multi-Multi Claim”? “Multi-multi claim” means “any dependent claim that refers to more than one other claim in the alternative (‘multiple dependent claim’) which depends from any other multiple dependent claim”.[1] A multi-multi claim hence exponentially increases…
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Although the Japan Patent Office (JPO) generally has one of the world’s fastest patent examination rates (average in 2020: First Action within 10.2 months, total pendency from Request for Examination 15.0 months–see JPO Status Report 2022, p. 4, 47), sometimes…
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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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Applicants may want to file an Amendment to a Japanese patent application for a variety of reasons. However, it is important to be aware of the deadline when an amendment has to reach the Japan Patent Office (JPO). By when…
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“I found an error in the PCT application! What can I do about it in the Japan national phase?” As we say in Japan, “Even monkeys fall from trees.” Even expert inventors, applicants, writers, and agents can make mistakes in…
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Applicants wonder about filing pre-examination amendments (for example, to delete claims) for the Japanese national stage of their Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) international applications. Filing international phase amendments (under Article 19 or Article 34 of the Patent Cooperation Treaty [PCT])…
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As of October 21, 2015, petitioners have filed 119 post-grant Opposition cases, which have been possible from April 1, 2015 under the 2014 amendment of Japan’s Patent Act. Of the Oppositions filed, 41 (34%) were filed against patents classified in…
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