JPO Keeps Examining Unique Designs under Revised Design Act: An Update

Almost precisely one year ago, the JPO announced that it had registered the first graphic design Design patent–special illumination to surround a motorcycle and increase visibility and communication with other travelers.[1] This became possible under the Japan Design Act revisions of 2020, and on November 9, 2021, the JPO reported the state of applications in the new categories (as searchable on November 1):
– Building (exterior) Designs: 563 filed, 263 registered
– Interior Designs: 360 filed, 105 registered
– Graphic Designs: 1,707 filed, 605 registered[2]

Major corporations like UNIQLO‘s First Retailing and sushi chain Kura Sushi (which has entered the US market) have succeeded in registering Designs (images from Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) like these:[1,3]

Building Design sample (First Retailing)	Interior Design sample (Kura Sushi)	Graphic Design sample (Koito Manufacturing)

Applications in these new categories have come in at an average of about 27, 17, and 100 Building, Interior, and Graphic Design applications (respectively) since the report thirteen months ago.[2, same document updated; see last year’s article] Might you want to consider registering a special design like these in Japan?

* 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

[1] Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Government of Japan [METI]. “建築物、内装の意匠が初めて意匠登録されました [Buildings and interior design first registered as Designs].”
https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2020/11/20201102003/20201102003.html November 2, 2020. Accessed November 6, 2020.

[2] METI. Updated “改正意匠法に基づく新たな保護対象についての意匠登録出願状況 [Design registration application situation for newly protected items under revised Design Act],” October 8, 2020; updated November 8, 2021. https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/design/gaiyo/seidogaiyo/document/isyou_kaisei_2019/shutsugan-jokyo.pdf Accessed November 6, 2020 and November 11, 2021.

[3] METI. “建築物、内装の意匠が初めて意匠登録されました [Buildings and interior design first registered as Designs].” https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2020/11/20201109002/20201109002.html November 9, 2020. Accessed November 11, 2021..

Header image by Jason Goh from Pixabay.