A process of obtaining a patent is roughly as shown on the right. Depending on the technical field, it may take 2 to 4 years from the filing of a request for examination to the acquisition of a patent right, but if you want to obtain a patent as soon as possible, you can use the accelerated examination system to shorten the time to 6 to 10 months. If you want to obtain a patent sooner, you can use the accelerated examination system to shorten the time to 6 to 10 months.
We would like to place importance on preliminary discussions to accurately grasp the features of the invention and to secure a broad scope of the patent right.
Patent fees must to be paid to Japan Patent Office in order to acquire and maintain a patent right.
The patent fees for each year from the first to the third year shall be paid in a lump sum after the examiner’s decision to the effect that the patent is to be granted.
And the patent fees for each year from the fourth and subsequent years under shall be paid by the end of the previous year.
The duration of a patent right expires after a period of 20 years from the filing date of the patent application.
To obtain a utility model right, the process is roughly as shown on the right. Depending on the technical field, it takes about 1.5 to 3 months from filing to registration.
A Utility Model Technical Opinion serves as an objective basis for judging the validity of the right to a registered utility model that has been granted a registration and is prepared by the examiner after conducting a search of prior art documents. It can be requested by anyone at any time after filing the application.
To take advantage of a utility model right, it is preferable to consider how to use it under the strategic purpose of use, and we will try to consult with you in advance.
To obtain and maintain a utility model right, a registration fee is paid to the JPO. The registration fees (from 1 to 3 years) are paid at the time of filing the application together with the application fee, and the fees for the fourth and subsequent years are paid in advance for any given year. A utility model right expires 10 years after the filing date.
