The Japanese Patent Office has been promoting the Paperless Project since 1984, as a way to deal with the gigantic amount of data stored as information related to the application and as technical information.

The Paperless System is designed to computerize operations from filing applications to examination and distribution of patent information to the public. The system consists of the following three subsystems.

1. Electronic Application and Administrative Processing System

The computerized Paperless System processes whole transactions ranging from acceptance of applications to examination, registration and publication of official gazettes. This system features the first electronic filing of applications for patents and utility models in the world. The system accepted the first filing on December 1, 1990, and paves the way for applicants to file applications electronically in on-line, batch(FD)mode or using the conventional paper form at their discretion. At present, on-line and FD filings account for a high 96%. In July 1993, the JPO commissioned to service an on-line transmission system which enables applicants to receive on-line notifications at their own terminals. At the same time, the JPO also started to operate an on-line system which allows to on-line inspection of documents involved in patent and utility model applications filed on and after December 1, 1990 and registers of patents, utility models, designs and trademarks and on-line requests for certified or non-certified copies of such documents. The system facilitates two-way on-line communication between applicants and the JPO.

2. Comprehensive Document Database System

This system stores comprehensive domestic and foreign information on computer, including official gazettes related to patents, utility models, designs and trademarks, and supersedes the paper-based manual practice of obtaining such information. The Comprehensive Document Database holds 41 million documents and the JPO has been providing public use of the database since 1986.

3. Document Retrieval System

This system enables a computer search to be conducted of patent documents, etc., replacing the manual method for most prior art searches.

The Paperless System operates on a large scale and uses state-of-the-art computer technology. Over the years since the system started, the JPO has been updating the system and also resolving numerous technical problems arising from computerization, such as formatting, communications, database construction, etc. and legal issues concerning the introduction of the on-line filing system and the associated application fee payment procedures, etc. The JPO will work to complete the total Paperless System covering designs, trademarks and appeals in addition to patents and utility models which have already been computerized. The JPO is also working to ensure the system operates reliably, to improve the system and to reduce costs, while monitoring current information technology trends.The JPO will continue to advance international cooperation on the strength of its pioneering experience worldwide, including strengthening its ties with USPTO and EPO for computer systems and patent information, and providing technical assistance to developing countries.