2006.07.18
Recent Major Amendments to Japanese Industrial Property Laws
I. 2005 Amendments
Introduction of Regionally-based Collective Mark Registration System (Effective April, 2006) – Trademark
- Commencement of Patent Publication through Internet – Patent
- Introduction of Patent Application System based on Utility Model Registration – Patent
- Extension of Duration of Utility Model – Utility Model
- Expansion of Permissible Scope of Correction – Utility Model
- New Employees’ Invention System – Patent*
- Revision of Patent-Related Fees (Charges) – Patent
- Introduction of Examination Fee Refund System – Patent
- Integration of Opposition System and Invalidation Trial System – Patent
- Description Requirements for Grounds for Demanding Invalidation Trial – Patent
- Time Limitation for filing Correction Trial During Suit against Invalidation Trial Decision, Remand Decision in Suit against Trial Decision, and Introduction of Correction Request after Remand – Patent
- System for Asking and Stating Views of Patent Office Commissioner in Suit against Invalidation Trial Decision – Patent
- Clarification of Definitions of “Working of Invention” – Patent
- Expansion of Acts deemed to be Infringement – Patent
- Clarification of Definitions of “Use with respect to Mark” – Trademark
- Introduction of Prior Art Documents Disclosure System – Patent