The Japanese Design Act was revised in 2019, and going into effect on April 1, 2020, graphic images, building exterior, and interior designs (the last one including arrangement of items within spaces–if a unified, aesthetic effect resulted) may be registered. The Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) presented some of the first-registered examples of these on its website on November 2, 2020.[1] It further reported on November 9 that the first graphic image Design has been registered.[2]
METI reported that as of October 1, 2020, there were 450, 204, and 132 pending Design registration applications in the graphic, building exterior, and interior design categories.[3]
Interiors and exteriors can sometimes seem everyday or uncreative, but of course the JPO has its guidelines and standards for what is worthy of protection as intellectual property and what is not. Please inquire if you have particular questions.
Addition/revision: November 12, 2020.
* 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. “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] Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Government of Japan. “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 12, 2020.
[3] METI. “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 circumstances for newly protected items under revised Design Act],” October 8, 2020 version. https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/design/gaiyo/seidogaiyo/document/isyou_kaisei_2019/shutsugan-jokyo.pdf Accessed November 6, 2020.
Header image by Tonhon Najarn from Pixabay.
