Introducing the February 2026 Newsletter

The February 2026 newsletter has been released.
For details about the newsletter, please see the following URLs:

Overall:https://www.harakenzo.com/202602/

1. G7 Intellectual Property Office Heads-of-Office Meeting Held
   G7 Heads of IP Office Conversation
2. USPTO Revises PTAB Appeal Practice Guide
   USPTO Revises Trial Practice Guide for Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
3. EPO's efforts to improve patent quality
   EPO Initiatives to Enhance Patent Quality
4. Survey on application status of business-related inventions
   Survey on Status of Patent Applications for Business-Related Inventions
5. USPTO Establishes Working Group on Standard Essential Patents (SEPs)
   USPTO Establishes Working Group on Standard Essential Patents (SEP)

Legal:https://www.harakenzo.com/law-202602/

1. The Japan Patent Office publishes "Explanation of Classification of Goods and Services (Compatible with the International Classification 13-2026 Edition)"
   JPO Publishers “Explanatory Notes on the Classification of Goods and Services [Compatible with International Classification 13th Edition, 2026 Version]”
2. Agency for Cultural Affairs to distribute background music royalties to singers and record companies, amending copyright law
   Agency for Cultural Affairs to Distribute BGM Royalties to Singers and Record Companies – Moving Towards Copyright Act Revision
3. Handouts from the 21st Design System Subcommittee released
   Release of Distributed Materials from “21st Design System Subcommittee”