table of contents
Design search
Databases for searching designs
You can check whether design rights have been granted for objects or images you see in the world by searching the Design Gazette. Like patents and trademarks, design rights are registered by country or region, so you need to check for each country or region.
There are many databases available on the websites of public institutions and private companies that can be used to search for designs. Here are some of the major ones:
Patent information platform: J-PlatPat (free)
- This information is provided by the National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training (INPIT), an independent administrative institution under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Patent Office.
- You can search for information related to designs in Japan (publicly known documents and some foreign patent gazettes can also be searched).
- You can search based on numbers such as application numbers and registration numbers, search based on search keywords based on the product name, applicant/rights holder, creator, design classification, etc., and query the design classification.
- For details on how to use the service, please see the JPO website:Let's search the design gazetteIt is explained in.
＜Link URL＞Patent Information Platform:Design Search(Redirects to INPIT website)
Graphic Image Park (free)
- This information is provided by the National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training (INPIT), an independent administrative institution under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Patent Office.
- You can search for information on image designs in Japan.
- You can search based on image data, and narrow down your search by application date, registration date, item related to the design, and design classification.
- For details on how to use it, please see the INPIT homepage:Information provision > Image design publication search support toolIt is explained in.
<Link URL>Image Design Gazette Search Support Tool(Redirects to INPIT website)
Design view (free)
- It is offered by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
- You can search for information on international design registrations based on the Hague Agreement and on approximately 70 countries and regions, including the United States, Europe (EUIPO), China, and South Korea, other than Japan.
- Languages that can be used for searching include "Japanese", "English", etc.
- You can search based on numbers such as application numbers and registration numbers, search based on search keywords based on the product name, applicant/rights holder, creator, design classification, etc., and query the design classification.
- To operate, go to Design view.HELPIt is explained in.
<Link URL>Design view
WIPO Global Design Database (free)
- Provided by WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization).
- You can search information on international design registrations under the Hague Agreement and in over 35 countries and regions, including Japan, the United States, Europe (EUIPO), and Korea.
- The available languages for searching are "English", "French" and "Spanish".
- You can search based on numbers such as application numbers and registration numbers, search based on search keywords based on the product name, applicant/rights holder, creator, design classification, etc., and query the design classification.
- For instructions, see the WIPO homepage:HELPIt is explained in.
<Link URL>WIPO Global Design Database
CNIPA National Intellectual Property Office: China Patent Publication Announcement (free)
- Provided by the State Intellectual Property Office.
- You can search for information regarding designs (exterior designs) in China (including patents and utility models).
- The available language for searching is "Chinese".
- You can search based on numbers such as application numbers and registration numbers, search based on search keywords based on the product name, applicant/rights holder, creator, design classification, etc., and query the design classification.
- For operation instructions, please visit the CNIPA website:Instructions for useIt is explained in.
<Link URL>China Patent Publication Announcement: Advanced Examination
Other
In addition to the above, similar design search services are provided on the websites of patent offices of various countries. However, since some national patent office websites are only available in the local language, the global databases provided by WIPO and EUIPO are highly convenient. However, care should be taken regarding the scope of coverage.
Important points to note when searching for designs
If you want to search for a design based on a specific registration number, applicant, or right holder, you can easily find the target case by selecting an item displayed on the menu screen and entering the relevant number or letters.
On the other hand, when searching for registered designs that are similar to a specific item, the search involves the name of the item and design classification, so specialized knowledge and experience are required to comprehensively extract target cases, determine whether the target cases are similar to the specific item, and consider the possibility of design registration or infringement.
In addition to design infringement investigations, we also conduct design investigations from the perspective of the Unfair Competition Prevention Act. The cost of the investigation varies depending on the type of investigation and the field of the target goods, so please contact us individually. Of course, the estimate for the investigation cost is free of charge.