Patent Experts Discuss Issues Including Emerging Technology Examinations and Mistranslations of Patent Descriptions at the Fourth Japan-ASEAN Patent Experts Meeting

March 26, 2024

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the intellectual property (IP) offices of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member States held the fourth Japan-ASEAN Patent Experts Meeting on March 13, 2024.

During the meeting, which was held online, participants discussed ways to improve the transparency and predictability of patent examination practices for emerging technologies. Herein, the JPO introduced case examples of AI-related inventions, and the initiatives of the Team for Supporting AI Examination. This was based on the Final Report^*1 of the “Research on Patent Examination Practices for Emerging Technologies in ASEAN Member States (Phase 2)”, which was conducted by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) in cooperation with the JPO and ASEAN Member States. Participants commented on the importance of human resource development to enhance the expertise of individual IP Offices in the field of emerging technologies.

Additionally, participants noted during the discussion that they would like to follow Japan’s lead within their own countries with respect to correcting mistranslations of patent descriptions after patents have been granted.

The JPO will continue to cooperate with and support ASEAN Member States to improve patent examination practices and address mistranslation issues through Patent Experts Meetings. By doing so, it is hoped to further enhance the patent systems of these countries.

*1 Please refer to the "Outcomes of the Thirteenth Japan-ASEAN Heads of Intellectual Property Offices Meeting" regarding the final report based on ERIA research.

 

Photo of members joining the Fourth Japan -ASEAN Patent Experts Meeting

[Last updated 26 March 2024]