Set forth below are questions frequently asked by clients, overseas agents, and others, relating to various IP topics, followed by our answers. If you have any question about any IP matter that you would like us to answer, please send it to us here.

1. What is a patent?
2. How can a patent be obtained in Japan?
3. What documents are required to apply for a patent in Japan?
4. How long does it take for the JPO to issue a decision regarding a patent application?
5. Is it possible to speed up the patent application procedure in Japan?
6. How long does protection of a patent last?
7. Is it necessary to inform the Japan Patent Office (JPO) when the name and/or address of a patentee or an applicant of a patent application changes? If yes, what is the procedure for doing that? Also, what document(s) is/are required?
8. Is it necessary to inform the Japan Patent Office (JPO) when a patent application (or a patent right) has been assigned from Company A to Company B? If yes, what is the procedure for doing that? Also, what document(s) is/are required?
9. What is the procedure for an assignee alone to file a Request to Register Transfer of Patent Rights?
10. Is it necessary to inform the Japan Patent Office (JPO) when a company has succeeded to one or more patent application(s) and/or patent right(s) due to a company split or a merger? If yes, what is the procedure for doing that? Also, what document(s) is/are required?
    

1. What is a trademark?
2. How can trademark protection be obtained in Japan?
3. What documents are required to apply for trademark rights in Japan?
4. How long does it take for the JPO to issue a decision regarding a trademark application?
5. How long does protection of a trademark last?
6. Is there any way to accelerate the examination of a trademark application?
7. Is it possible to obtain trademark rights for a trademark that has been registered in Japan but that has been abandoned by the registered owner?
8. If a party obtains from the owner of a registered trademark a license to use that trademark, must the license be registered with the Japan Patent Office?
9. What is the procedure for adding designated goods to a trademark registration in Japan? What documents are required?

1. What is a utility model?
2. How to obtain a Utility Model in Japan?
3. What documents are required to apply for utility model rights in Japan?
4. How long does it take for the JPO to register a utility model application?
5. How long does protection of a utility model last?
6. What is the Report of Utility Model Technical Opinion?
   

1. What is a design?
2. How can design rights be obtained in Japan?
3. What documents are required to apply for design rights in Japan?
4. How long does it take for the JPO to issue a decision regarding a design application?
5. How long does protection of a design last?

1. What is the JPO's Identification Number (ID No.)?
2. How long does it take to obtain a certified copy of a Certificate of Registration?

If you have any question about any IP matter that you would like us to answer, please send it to us here.