Application Forms and Drawings

The amendments are also intended to simplify the application forms and statement describing the drawings.

Under the old Design Law, a drawing expressing a three-dimensional figure was prepared in a set of a drawings on the same reduced scale with orthographic projections, and if the design could not be fully expressed, cross-sectional views, perspective views, or other types of views were required. There were also other various restrictions regarding the expression of a figure.

Under the current Design Law, various types of drawings and descriptions in the drawings are now possible, which provide the design applicant with more choices, and thus, more responsibility concerning how to fully describe the design. Therefore, applicants should consider carefully at the time of preparing the application if the design has been fully expressed. Currently, our office prepares drawings via computer with CAD software that allows us to prepare three dimensional drawings relatively easily. However, our practice is to also include drawings with orthographic projections.

The types of drawings and descriptions that are now permitted will be described in detail in the new examining criteria. However, below is a brief summary of some of the changes.

Three-dimensional drawings (perspective views prepared with isometric projections) are now permitted, in addition to drawings including orthographic projections.
The use of surface shading and ridge lines to express curved surfaces, like those used in design applications filed in the U.S., are now permitted.
The use of combined cross-sectional views are permitted. In such a case, a referential view showing the section lines should be attached.
It is now permitted to use computer graphics in drawings.

Example of orthographic projection method: