JPO-INPI Examiner Exchange Program Held

December 15, 2022

On October 20, 2022, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) held an Examiner Exchange Program with the National Institute of Industrial Property of France (INPI).  

The Examiner Exchange Program between the two Offices started from 2020 in response to INPI’s introduction of the inventive step as a ground for refusal for its patent grant examination in May 2020 and the launch of the Japan-France Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program in January 2021. 

Until last year, the program was held online, but this year it has been held in person at the JPO.

During the discussions, the INPI introduced its efforts on the PPH, the work environment (e.g., paperless procedure, teleworking), and the impact of *the PACTE Law, especially for the implementation of rejection on the ground of inventive step (e.g., examiner recruitment and training, updating the guidelines).

The JPO introduced its “Hantei” (Advisory Opinion) system and explained its examination practices regarding computer software-related inventions and conflicting applications.

The two Offices actively exchanged opinions such as on their respective examination policies and deepened their understanding of each other's patent systems and other related issues.

The JPO will continue to cooperate on patent examination with the IP Offices of other countries.

 

*The PACTE Law is the "Law on Action Plan for Growth and Transformation of Enterprises" which includes amendments to the French Intellectual Property Law (CPI). With the amendment of the CPI by the PACTE Law, a measure was introduced to allow the INPI to reject a patent application if it does not meet not only the novelty, but also the inventive step requirements. 

 

Courtesy Call on Deputy Commissioner

Exchange of Opinions

 

[Last updated 15 Decembe 2022]