JPO-INPI Examiner Exchange Program Held

October 21, 2025

On October 6 to 10, 2025, 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 in 2020. This year the JPO hosted INPI examiners for the first time to have the program between the JPO and the INPI.

Five JPO patent examiners and two INPI patent examiners participated in the program. They discussed their common patent cases in the two technical fields of terminal parts and semiconductor devices, exchanging information on prior art search methods and tools, as well as trial and appeal systems. Furthermore, the Intellectual Property Counsellor at the French Embassy in Japan attended part of the program, and an exchange of views was held at the French Embassy in Japan. These activities enabled the participants to deepen their mutual understanding of both Offices.

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

*The Examiner Exchange Program is designed to foster a relationship of trust and deepen mutual understanding between the examiners of the JPO and those of an overseas IP Office and to promote mutual use of prior art search results and examination results through discussions on each other's prior art search methods and examination practices.

Participants from both offices

Scene from the discussion

Scene from the exchange of views held at the French Embassy in Japan

[Last updated 21 October 2025]