Trilateral Project 24.1-Biotechnology 002

Our answers are based on the 1994-Revised Patent Law, so far as there is no note, and therefore, they do not necessarily correspond to practices in the "Examination Guidelines for Inventions in Specific Fields Chapter 2, Biological Inventions (published in June 1993)". Hereinafter, we explain relevant provisions and practices mainly on the basis of 1994-Revised Patent Law (applicable to applications filed on and after July 1, 1995). We explain provisions and practices under the old Law (applicable to applications filed before July 1, 1995), as far as they are different from 1994-Revised Patent Law.

In this connection, recent revisions concerning our Patent Law are the following;

• 1) 1987-Revised Law (applicable to applications filed 1988.1.1 - 1990.11.30)
  The range for "Unity of Invention" was extended by Improved Multiple Claim System.
• 2) 1990-Revised Law (applicable to applications filed 1990.12.1 - 1993.12.31)
  Although electronic data application system was introduced, there were no essential changes in the requirements for patent specification.
• 3) 1993-Revised Law (applicable to applications filed 1994.1.1 - 1995.6.30)
  Permissible range for amendment was restricted.
• 4) 1994-Revised Law (applicable to applications filed 1995.7.1 - )
  Requirement for patent specification was relaxed.