* This is a follow-up article to earlier reports shared on October 8, 2020.
In spite of earlier reports suggesting that the JPO might relieve all filings of the requirement for Japanese patent, trademark, and other IP filers to use physical seals, the JPO published its final review with a less-than-total paperless transition. In the end, some filings dealing with ownership and other sensitive issues will retain the seal requirement, but the vast majority of filings (690 out of 797) are exempted as of December 2020 or will be exempt from March 3, 2021.
In addition, some filings related to PCT international applications can finally be issued with actual or digital signatures, or be signed by a designated substitute for the representative of the applicant, from December 28, 2020. Only 33 procedures that will still require a seal, for example for changing of name or address of an applicant on a pending application or ownership for an existing piece of intellectual property.
As foreign applicants deal with the JPO through a Japanese patent attorney, these changes may not mean much, but be relieved that some filings will be easier to handle for your agent.
* The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.
** For questions or consultation, please contact us for more information.
Taro Yaguchi
Sources
Japan Patent Office. “特許庁関係手続における押印の見直しについて [Review of seal execution for JPO procedures].” https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/process/shutugan/madoguchi/info/oin-minaoshi.html December 28, 2020. Accessed January 14, 2020.
Header image by Ulrike Leone from Pixabay.
