Application Procedures relation to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

April 16, 2020
Japan Patent Office

Japan Patent office

Japan Patent Office (JPO) remains open for all procedures, including electronic filings.

As preventive measures of COVID-19 at our office, alcohol disinfectant is placed at the reception desk, and our staff members wear masks.

For all the visitors, we ask for your understanding and cooperation in preventing the spread of COVID-19 by washing your hands frequently and observing coughing manners.

IP Offices abroad

Due to the preventive measures of COVID-19, some IP offices abroad are closed. For procedures through the WIPO and other IP offices overseas, we ask our users to check the websites of each IP office.

Related information (as of April 16, 2020)

<WIPO>

• Covid-19 Update: WIPO's IP Services (External link)
• WIPO Launches Online Dashboard to Monitor Operations (External link)

<PCT>

• PCT NEWSLETTER (External link, PDF)
  (p.6) Practical Advice: Possible remedies where time limits under the PCT have been missed due to unforeseen events
• Transmission of paper documents to and from the International Bureau during the COVID-19 pandemic (External link)

<Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs>

• Remedies Available in Case of Failure to Meet a Time Limit and Extension of Time Limits in Case of Closure (External link, PDF)
• Discontinuation of Paper-based Communications in Favor of Exclusive Use of Electronic Communications (External link, PDF)

<Madrid Protocol Concerning the International Registration of Marks>

• Remedies Available Against Failure to Meet a Time Limit Under the Madrid System and Extension of Time Limits in Case of Closure (External link, PDF)
• Suspension of Postal Communication with the International Bureau (External link, PDF)
• Temporary Measures Concerning Certified Documents and Extracts Services (External link, PDF)

<Dedicated pages of IP offices concerning COVID-19>

• United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) (External link)
• European Patent Office (EPO) (External link)
• China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) * Chinese only (External link)
• Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) *Korean only (External link)
• German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) (External link)

* For updates of implement measures at other IP offices, refer to website of each IP office. Links to IP offices.

[Last updated 21 April 2020]

Inquiry for filing applications with the JPO

Official Services Management Section, General Coordination Division, Policy Planning and Coordination Department, JPO E-mail:PA0220@jpo.go.jp

Inquiry for current situations at IP offices abroad

General Affairs Section, International Policy Division, International Cooperation Division, JPO E-mail:PA0800@jpo.go.jp