Patents

Our Services

Tokai Patent offers a full range of services for Patents and Utility Models.

The following contains specialized terminology and may be difficult to understand if you have never dealt with patents / utility models / trade marks / registered designs / etc.

DON'T WORRY!

You don't actually need to understand any of the information here - that's what our job is. When you submit an inquiry we will advise you on a case-by-case basis as to what your options are, what we suggest you do, and we will guide you through the process step-by-step.

Some of the services we offer include:

PATENTS

• Preparing and filing patent applications in Japan
• Prosecution of patent applications in Japan
• Conducting patent searches and providing patentablility advice
• Preparing and recording assignment and patent licenses /patent applications
• Paying annuities for patents
• Monitoring third parties' patents/patent applications
• Drafting patent specifications in Japanese

UTILITY MODELS

• Preparing and filing utility model applications in Japan
• Prosecution of utillity model applications in Japan
• Conducting searches and providing registrability advice
• Preparing and recording assignments and registration licenses / applications
• Paying annuities for registrations
• Drafting specifications in Japanese

Patent Fees

All fees listed in JPY unless otherwise noted.

PCT National Phase Application in Japan

• *1JPY 3,600
  (US $29.45) is added for each additional claim.
• *2JPY 600
  (US $4.91) is added for each additional claim.

The above price list does not include any translation fees (JPY 25.3(US $0.18)/Eng.word).

The above price list does not include any prosecution fees.

Pricing comparison against other Japanese Agencies (combined pricing for five claims)

The above price list does not include any prosecution fees.

Japanese Domestic Application (Non-PCT), claiming Convention priority

• *1JPY 4,000
  (US $32.73) is added for each additional claim.
• *2JPY 600
  (US $4.91) is added for each additional claim.

The above price list does not include any translation fees (JPY 25.3(US $0.18)/Eng.word).

The above price list does not include any prosecution fees.

Pricing comparison against other Japanese Agencies (combined price of five claims)

The above price list does not include any prosecution fees.

Utility Model Fees

Utility Model Application and Registration Fees

• *1JPY 300
  (US $2.45) is added for each additional claim.

The above price list does not include translation fees (JPY 25.3(US $0.18)/Eng.word).

Pricing comparison against other Japanese Agencies (combined price of five claims)

The above price list does not include any prosecution fees.

Requirements

PCT National Phase Entry (30 months from the earliest priority date)

1. International application number
2. Full name, address and nationality of Applicant(s)
3. Full name and address of Inventor(s)
4. (Optional) Amended claims under PCT Article 19, if necessary
5. (Optional) Amendments under PCT Article 34, if necessary

Domestic Patent Application claiming Convention priority

1. Full name, address and nationality of Applicant(s)
2. Full name and address of Inventor(s)
3. Text of the specification and claims, and Image data of the drawings
4. Priority application number, date, and country
5. Priority certificate (within one year and four months of the priority date)

Utility Model Application claiming Convention priority

1. Full name, address and nationality of Applicant(s)
2. Full name and address of Inventor(s)
3. Text of the specification and claims, and Image data of the drawings
4. Priority application number, date, and country
5. Priority certificate (within one year and four months of the priority date)

Application Procedure Flow Charts

Pricedures for Obtaining a Patent Right

Pricedures for Obtaining a Utility Model Right

Forms

General Power of Attorney

Power of Attorney

PATENT FAQ

Q. What is the time limit to entering a PCT application into national phase in Japan?

A. 30 months from the earliest priority date. No later filing is allowed under any circumstance.

Q. Is a Japanese translation required for filing the national phase entry?

A. Not always. In most cases, you have two months to file the translation after the national phase entry.

Q. What is the duration for a Japanese patent?

A. 20 years from the application filing date. In certain cases, it may be extended up to 25 years.

Q. When can I amend the specification, claims, and/or drawings?

A. You may make changes or amendments up until you receive the first office action. Once you receive the first office action, you are only allowed to make amendments within the response period.

Q. Does a request for examination need to be filed in order to have the JPO examine an application?

A. Yes.

Q. When is the request for examination due?

A. Three years from the actual filing date.

Q. When can I expect to receive a first action from the JPO?

A. About two years after the examination request (28.7 months on average in 2010). If a request for accelerated examination is filed, you can usually expect to receive the first action in about two months.

Q. What is the deadline for responding to an office action?

A. For applicants who are residing outside of Japan, a response should be submitted three months from the date the office action was issued. An extension may be filed to request up to an additional three months.

Q. What is the approval rate for examined applications?

A. 54.9% in 2010.

Q. What is the total time frame from filing a request for examination until the JPO's final decision (approval/rejection)?

A. 35.3 months on average in 2009.

UTILITY MODELS FAQ

Q. What is the duration for utility model rights?

A. 10 years from the application date.

Q. Are utility model applications examined in-depth by the JPO prior to registration?

A. No. They are only subjected to a cursory examination as a formality.

Q. Please define the scope for utility model registrations.

A. Only items such as devices and apparatus. Methods are not allowed.