• Design fees

Fees associated with filing industrial design applications in Japan as well as other design fees are available in the fee calculator.

• Multiple design application

Multiple design applications are possible in Japan.

• Filing requirements of a design application in Japan

For obtainment of the date of filing, an industrial design application in Japan must contain:
- applicant's and designer's details;
- representation of the industrial design.

To confirm the priority right, a certified copy of the Priority Document must be submitted within three months from the filing date of an industrial design application in Japan. The front page must be translated into Japanese. Some countries' priority is admitted without a certified copy if DAS code is provided. Restoration of the priority right is possible in case of non-intentional delay.

The Power of Attorney is not required for registration of an industrial design in Japan.

• Examination of a design application in Japan

A design application in Japan undergoes formal and substantive examination. No specific request for substantive examination of an industrial design needs to be filed with the JPO.

• Novelty grace period

Disclosure of the information about a design does not disprove its novelty if such disclosure is made by the designer or on behalf of the designer within twelve months before the date of filing of the application in Japan.

• Grant, validity term and design renewal fees

The grant fee, which includes annual maintenance fee for the first year, is to be paid within thirty days from issuance of the Notice of Allowance. On request, the term for payment may be extended by thirty days. The industrial designs having the filing date before April 1, 2020 are valid for 20 years from the date of registration while the industrial designs having the filing date on or after April 1, 2020 are valid for 25 years as of the filing date. Annual maintenance fees are due from the second year of the validity term and should be paid by the end of the previous year. Late payment is possible within a grace period of 6 months, a surcharge applies. Restoration of the annual maintenance fee payment is possible in case of non-intentional delay.

• Duration of registration procedure

Approximate time from filing up to registration is 3-6 months.

• Representation by a patent attorney

For foreign applicants, it is necessary to perform design prosecution in Japan through an agent, a registered Japanese patent attorney.

•  Note

Online Search Databases: Japanese Designs, International Designs.

Brief summary is based on the information provided by YuNeed International Patent Office on 05.02.2024
Please contact us if the above information is not in conformity with Japanese IP Laws