January issue [Legal Affairs] Newsletter

New Year Greetings

Happy New Year.

Last year, while Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip in Palestine came to an end, the world's politics and economy were faced with a chaotic and difficult period in which the selfish behavior of "great powers" was rampant. This included the intensification of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the intensification of international friction between China and Japan over the Taiwan issue, and the centralization of power in the United States as a result of President Trump's high tariffs and US First policy. I cannot help but hope for the arrival of "world peace" as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, last year was also a "glorious year" for our firm, with steady progress in business and prosperity and busyness throughout the year. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all our clients and all our staff. Thank you very much. We have returned to our roots, and are deeply grateful for the kindness of our clients, and we are determined to continue striving to provide the utmost satisfaction and profits to our clients. We hope that you will continue to provide us with your guidance and kindness this year as well.

I sincerely hope that you all have a bright and soaring New Year and that you and your families will have a good year filled with good health and happiness.

Chairman: Kenzo Hara

—–

I wish you all the best in the new year.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your generous support throughout the past year.

This year marks the significant milestone of our 50th anniversary. Our steady progress as a group of intellectual property experts over the past half century is the fruit of the warm support of our clients and the tireless efforts of each and every member of our staff. I would like to express my sincere gratitude once again.

Recent social changes have been so intense that they could be described as nonlinear. It is precisely in these uncertain times that we must wisely distinguish between what needs to be changed and what needs to be protected. Our approach, cultivated over our 50-year history, to working alongside our clients and building trust is an asset that must never be shaken, no matter how times change. While carefully passing on this timeless foundation, we intend to continue to create unique value with flexible thinking that is not bound by existing frameworks.

This year will be the year in which we take a strong first step towards the next 50 years. We will work together as one to deliver value that exceeds your expectations while maintaining our unique presence in the field of intellectual property.

We look forward to your continued support this year and wish you all good health and prosperity.

Director Kiyoshi Fukui

Publication of the Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services and the International Classification of Goods and Services in Accordance with the 13th Edition of the International Classification of Goods and Services (2026 Edition)

In response to the 13th edition of the Nice Classification (2026 edition) coming into effect on January 1, 2026, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) has published on its website the Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services and the International Classification of Goods and Services that are compatible with the 13th edition of the Nice Classification (2026 edition).
These will apply to trademark registration applications filed on or after January 1, 2026.

The main changes in the 13th-2026 edition are as follows:
(*The similarity group code is in parentheses following the product/service name.)

Major changes to the Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services (International Classification 13th Edition - 2026 Edition)

<Category transition and labeling change>

• Category 3 “Fragrance” (04D01) → Category 3 “Fragrance”(Limited to fragrance products.)” (04D01)
• Class 9 “Glasses” (23B01) →Class 10Transition to
• Category 9 “Fire engine” (12A05) →Class 12Transition to
• Class 18 "Beach umbrella" (22B01) →Class 22 (20D01)Transition to

<Addition>

• Class 1 “Essential oil for manufacturing” (04D01)
• Class 5: Aromatherapy oil (04D01)
• Class 34 "Tobacco flavorings" (04D01)

Major changes to the International Classification of Goods and Services (13th edition - 2026)

<Category transition and labeling change>

• Class 3 “essential oils” (04D01)
  →Category 3 “essential oils” for cosmetic purposes(For cosmeticsessential oil)” (04D01)
• Class 30 “food flavorings,” other than essential oils(Food flavorings(Excluding those consisting solely of essential oils.)" (04D01)
  →Class 30 “food flavorings” (04D01)
• Class 34 “flavorings,” other than essential oils, for tobacco (flavorings for tobacco)(Excluding those consisting solely of essential oils.)" (04D01)
  → Class 34 "flavorings for tobacco" (04D01)
• Class 9: Eyeglasses/spectacles, sunglasses, and contact lenses (all 23B01)
  →Class 10Transition to
• Class 11 “electrically heated clothing” (11A06)
  →Class 25(11A06,17A01、17A02、17A03、17A04、17A07)
• Class 11: "electrically heated socks" (11A06)
  →Class 25(11A06,17A04)

<Addition>

• Class 1 “essential oils for use in manufacture” (04D01)
• Class 3 “essential oils for fragrance” (04D01)

Key Points of the 13th-2026 Edition

• "Essential oils" are now classified into different categories depending on their uses (in the 12th-2025 edition, all are classified as Class 3).
• "Eyeglasses," "sunglasses," "contact lenses," etc. have been moved from Class 9 to Class 10 as products intended to improve human functions or conditions.
• "Electrically heated clothing" (including socks, foot muffs, etc.) has been moved from Class 11, which includes heating appliances, to Class 25, which is a classification for general clothing.

Regarding the start of collection of compensation for private recording of Blu-ray discs

As notified to retailers of applicable equipment by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on September 2, 2025, collection of private recording compensation for Blu-ray Disc (BD) recorders and recording Blu-ray Discs will begin on December 1, 2025.

As a result, when purchasing a BD recorder, a 200 yen tax-inclusive surcharge (182 yen excluding tax) will be added to the product price per unit, and when purchasing a BD disc for recording, 1% of the base price (excluding tax) will be added to the product price and used for distribution to copyright holders and copyright protection projects.

Although several issues have been raised, such as the fact that BD recorders themselves are not widely sold at present and demand for BDs for recording is limited, and therefore the total amount of compensation actually collected is not expected to be very large, the start of collection has made it possible to provide compensation to rights holders in the BD recording field, which had been vacant for a long time.

<Private recording compensation system>
The "Private Recording Compensation System" is a system that requires those who make digital recordings for private use without the permission of the rights holder to pay compensation in order to compensate copyright holders, performers, and record producers for the economic disadvantage caused by digital recordings (Article 30, Paragraph 3 of the Copyright Act).
With the development and spread of sound and video recording technology, sound and video recording has become easy to do at home, and a huge amount of sound and video recordings are being created throughout society. Therefore, the aim of this law is to achieve a balance between "private copying (no permission required)" and "returning compensation to rights holders" by having users pay a lump sum compensation amount when purchasing sound and video recording equipment.
The equipment eligible for payment and the recording media used for it are determined by government ordinance, and organizations entitled to receive private recording compensation are limited to those designated by the Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs (Article 104-2 of the Copyright Act), and the current designated organization is the Private Recording Compensation Management Association (SARAH), a general incorporated association.

Publication of "2025 Intellectual Property Rights System Introductory Textbook"

In December 2025, the Japan Patent Office published the "2025 Intellectual Property Rights System Introductory Text." This book is an official standard text that provides a comprehensive explanation of "industrial property rights" including patents, utility models, designs, and trademarks, based on the latest laws that were in effect and in operation as of September 1, 2025.

Please refer to the guide, which includes illustrations and specific practical information such as an overview of the design/trademark system, registration requirements, the process for obtaining rights, obtaining rights overseas, and the format of application documents.

Below is a diagram of the process for obtaining rights, which is included in this text.

・Flow chart from application to acquisition of design rights

・Flow chart from application to obtaining trademark rights

Newsletter translated into English

New Year's greetings

I would like to wish you a very happy New Year.

This past year saw the near conclusion of Israel's offensive in the Palestinian Gaza Strip. We also witnessed the intensification of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the escalation of international tensions between China and Japan over the Taiwan issue, and the increasing centralization of the United States under President Trump's high-tariff and “America First” policies. The world's political and economic landscapes are facing an uncertain and challenging era, in which self-serving actions of the so-called “great powers” ​​are pervasive. We cannot help but hope that “world peace” will arrive as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, our firm, much like the previous year, experienced steady growth and enjoyed a “brilliant year” marked throughout by prosperity and busyness. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all our clients and every member of our firm. Thank you sincerely. Remembering our humble beginnings, we remain ever grateful for our clients' continued patronage, and with renewed determination, we shall continue sriving to maximize all our clients' satisfaction and benefit. We would be most grateful for your continued guidance and warm support throughout this year as well.

I wish you and your families a wonderful New Year and hope that your year is filled with good health and great happiness.

Kenzo Hara
Executive Chairman

—–

I would like to extend my sincerest greetings for the New Year.
We are deeply grateful for your support and kindness throughout the past year.

This year marks a major milestone for our firm, as we will reach the fiftieth anniversary of our founding. It is entirely thanks to the generous support of our clients and the continued dedication of each member of our staff that we have been able to advance steadily as a team of IP professionals over the past half-century. Once again, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude.

Recent changes in the social climate have been so intense as to be unpredictable. Precisely because we live in such an uncertain era, it is essential that we wisely distinguish between “what must be changed” and “what must be steadfastly preserved”. Over fifty years we have cultivated an ethos that is guided by the principle of walking alongside our clients and building relationships of trust. This ethos is an invaluable asset that must never be allowed to waver, regardless of how the times may change. While cherishing and carrying forward this universal foundation, we will continue to be unconstrained by existing conventions and use a flexible approach to create unique value.

This year represents the first decisive step toward the next half-century. United as one, we will project a distinctive presence in the field of intellectual property and strive to deliver value that exceeds your expectations.

I sincerely ask for your continued support this year, and extend my heartfelt wishes for your health and further prosperity.

Fukui Kiyoshi
Director General

Publication of Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services and International Classification Table of Goods and Services (corresponding to Nice Classification, 13th Edition, Version 2026)

In response to the enforcement of the Nice International Classification, 13th Edition, Version 2026 on January 1, 2026, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) has published on its website the Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services and International Classification Table of Goods and Services (corresponding to the Nice Classification, 13th Edition, Version 2026).
These will apply to trademark registration applications filed on or after January 1, 2026.

Main Revisions in the 13th Edition, Version 2026 are as follows.
(Note: the codes in parentheses following goods or services names are the Similar Group Codes.)

Main Revisions to the Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services [Corresponding to the International Classification, 13th Edition, Version 2026]

Class Transfers and Label Changes

• Class 3 “perfumery” (04D01) → Class 3 “perfumery” for fragrance" (04D01)
• Class 9 “spectacles / eyeglasses” (23B01) → Transferred to Class 10
• Class 9 “fire engines” (12A05) → Transferred to Class 12
• Class 18 “beach parasols” (22B01) → Transferred to Class 22 (20D01)

additions

• Class 1 “essential oils for use in manufacturing” (04D01)
• Class 5 “aromatherapy oils” (04D01)
• Class 34 “flavorings for tobacco” (04D01)

Main Revisions to the International Classification Table of Goods and Services [13th Edition, Version 2026]

Class Transfers and Label Changes

• Class 3 “essential oils” (04D01)
  → Class 3 “essential oils for cosmetic purposes" (04D01)
• Class 30 “food flavorings, other than essential oils" (04D01)
  → Class 30 “food flavorings” (04D01)
• Class 34 “flavorings, other than essential oils, for tobacco” (04D01)
  → Class 34 “flavorings for tobacco” (04D01)
• Class 9 “eyeglasses / spectacles”, “sunglasses”, “contact lenses” (all 23B01)
  → Transferred to Class 10
• Class 11 “electrically heated clothing” (11A06)
  → Transferred to Class 25 (11A06, 17A01, 17A02, 17A03, 17A04, 17A07)
• Class 11 “electrically heated socks” (11A06)
  → Transferred to Class 25 (11A06, 17A04)

additions

• Class 1 “essential oils for use in manufacturing” (04D01)
• Class 3 “essential oils for fragrancing” (04D01)

Key Points of the 13th Edition, Version 2026

• Concerning “essential oils”, classification will now vary depending on their intended use (in the 12th Edition, Version 2026, all were in Class 3).
• “Eyeglasses/spectacles”, “sunglasses”, and “contact lenses”, etc., have been transferred from Class 9 to Class 10, as goods intended to improve human functions or conditions.
• “Electrically heated clothing” (including socks, foot muffs, etc.) has been transferred from Class 11, which includes heating apparatuses, to Class 25, which covers general clothing.

Commencement of Compensation Collecting for Private Recordings to Blu-ray

On September 2, 2025, the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry notified retail stores handling relevant devices that the collection of private recording compensation would apply to Blu-ray Disc (BD) recorders and recordable Blu-ray Discs. Collection of this compensation began on December 1, 2025.

As a result, a compensation fee of 200 yen (182 yen before tax) per unit is added to the product price and collected when purchasing a BD recorder, and 1% (excluding tax) of the standard price is added to the product price and collected when purchasing a recordable BD,. The collected funds will be distributed to copyright holders and used for copyright protection projects.

The total amount of compensation collected is expected to be rather modest due to several issues that have been pointed out, such as the limited sales of BD recorders and the limited demand for recordable BDs. Nevertheless, the start of this collection implements the long-awaited compensation for rights holders in the BD recording field, which had long remained unaddressed.

Private Audio and Video Recording Compensation System
The “Private Audio and Video Recording Compensation System” is a system which requires persons who make digital audio or video recordings for private use without authorization from rights holders to pay compensation in order to offset the economic disadvantages suffered by copyright holders, performers, and record producers due to digital recording and reproduction (Copyright Act, Article 30, Paragraph 3).
With the advancement and widespread adoption of audio and video recording technologies, it has become easy to make recordings at home, resulting in the mass creation of recordings throughout society. Therefore, this method of requiring users to make a lump-sum payment of the compensation fee when purchasing recording devices, etc. aims to balance private copying (which does not require authorization) and “return of compensation to rights holders”.
The devices and recording media subject to such payments are stipulated by government ordinance, and only organizations designated by the Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs are entitled to receive private audio and video recording compensation (Copyright Act, Article 104-2). Currently, the designated organization is the Society for Administration of Remuneration for Audio Home Recording (sarah).

Publication of “2025 Intellectual Property Rights System Introductory Textbook”

In December 2025, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) published the “2025 Intellectual Property Rights System Introductory Textbook.” This official standard textbook provides a comprehensive explanation of “industrial property rights,” including patents, utility models, designs, and trademarks, based on the laws in effect and operation as of September 1, 2025.

The textbook is a useful reference that includes overviews of the design and trademark systems, registration requirements, procedures up to the acquisition of rights, acquisition of rights abroad, application document formats, and other practical information, accompanied by diagrams.

Below are English translations produced by our firm of diagrams appearing in the textbook illustrating the processes leading to the acquisition of rights.

・Diagram: Process from Application to Acquisition of Design Right

・Diagram: Process from Application to Acquisition of Trademark Right