PATENTS
Patents/utility models
Overview of amendment procedures and restrictions for design registration applicationsWhen filing an application for a design registration, documents must be submitted in accordance with the prescribed format, but in some cases, errors or unclear descriptions may occur. The procedure for correcting such defects is called "amendment." This article explains the amendment of designs.
The process leading up to design registration In order to register a design and obtain design rights, it is necessary to file a design registration application with the Japan Patent Office. Here we explain the process leading up to design registration. Prior design search Prior design search is not required before filing a design registration application. However, if an identical or similar design has already been published,
What kind of image do you have of design rights? Some people may not be familiar with them compared to patent rights, trademark rights, and copyrights. However, there are actually many advantages to obtaining a design right compared to patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Here, we will explain the advantages and disadvantages of design registration.
Regarding the cost of design registration, unlike patent rights and utility model rights, which protect ideas, design rights, which are intellectual property, protect designs. When trying to register a design for a product developed in-house, we will explain the timing and amount of costs involved, as well as the procedure and provide general examples.
Novelty under the Design Law 1. Introduction A design is the shape, pattern, color, and combination of these elements of an item, i.e., the exterior design of an item, and includes the shapes of buildings and their interiors, as well as the design of operation screens, etc. Designs also include the design of parts of an item. Designs protected by the Design Law
Regarding designs that cannot be registered, the Design Law has rules that state that designs that are identical or similar to publicly known designs cannot be registered. However, even if a design is completely new, there are cases where registration is not permitted depending on the content. This applies to designs that would harm others if rights were granted.
Major Revision of the Design Law - Towards Future Design Management - April 31, 3The "Act to Partially Revise the Patent Law, etc.", which was approved by the Cabinet on March 1, 5, was passed and enacted on May 10, 5, and promulgated as Law No. 17 on May 3. The contents of the revision of the Design Law are as follows:
Subsidy and exemption system for the cost of acquiring a design rightThe Japan Patent Office and local governments provide subsidies for the cost of acquiring a design right. To receive the subsidy, you must meet certain conditions and pass an examination before filing a foreign application. If you would like to receive a subsidy for the cost of acquiring a design right, please check the details below.
Overview of design right infringement and remedies How is it determined whether a design right has been infringed? This page explains design right infringement using examples of representative court cases in which design right infringement was actually contested. Design right infringement can be divided into direct infringement and indirect infringement.
How to deal with a notice of refusal 1. What is a notice of refusal? After filing an application for design registration, a formal examination is conducted, and then a JPO examiner examines whether or not the application meets all the registration requirements in accordance with the examination guidelines. The main registration requirements are as follows. ■Main registration requirements ・The design must be protected by the Design Law ・It must be industrially appropriate