Others

• 16-1. What is the responsibility of the JPO? Is the JPO also responsible for the protection of copy rights?
• 16-2. How can I obtain a copy of the Patent Act and other Acts?
• 16-3. Where can I purchase Japanese patent data?

 16-1. What is the responsibility of the JPO? Is the JPO also responsible for the protection of copy rights?

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) is responsible for the protection of the rights for patents for inventions, utility models for devices, industrial designs and trademarks. In Japan, these four kinds of rights are called “industrial property rights.” You can send queries about industrial property rights in Japan to the following e-mail address or fax number:

E-mail address for inquiries to the JPO:PA0842@jpo.go.jp

Fax number: (03) 3581 0762 (+81 3 3581 0762 from overseas)

In order to avoid unexpected misunderstandings in conversations over the phone, please contact us by e-mail or fax in English or Japanese.

Meanwhile, the JPO is not responsible for copy right. If you have any queries about copyright, please contact the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

The Agency for Cultural Affairs,

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

3-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8959

Tel. (03) 5253 4111(main line) (+81 3 5253 4111 from oversees)

e-mail: voice@bunka.go.jp

URL: http://www.bunka.go.jp/english/index.html (External link)

 16-2. How can I obtain a copy of the Patent Act and other Acts?

Please refer to the following pages for the Patent Act, Utility Model Act, Design Act and Trademark Act in English.

Patent Act (External link)

Utility Model Act (External link)

Design Act (External link)

Trademark Act(External link)

Japanese Law Translation offered by Ministry of Justice (External link)

 16-3. Where can I purchase Japanese patent data?

You can obtain Published Registered Utility Model Applications, Published Registered Design Applications, Published Registered Trademark Applications and Published Unexamined/International Trademark Applications on the Official Publications page of the JPO website for free.

JPO Official Publication via the Internet(External link)

In addition, the Japan Patent Information Organization (JAPIO) sells Patent Abstracts of Japan (PAJs) To purchase PAJs, please contact “the Japan Patent Information Organization (JAPIO)”(External link)

“The Japan Patent Information Organization (JAPIO)”(External link) sells patent documents, except publication, in CD format also.

To find out more about purchasing and the methods of payment to acquire patent information products, please contact “the Japan Patent Information Organization (JAPIO)”(External link)

For inquiries about information other than making purchases, please contact the Information Dissemination and Policy Promotion Division of the Japan Patent Office:PA0620@jpo.go.jp