Japanese Classification for Industrial Designs

January 17, 2024

The Japanese Classification for Industrial Designs was established to provide an effective search tool for the JPO to conduct swift and accurate searches during design examinations, and for external users to conduct searches for prior designs and clearance of rights. The classification focuses on the usage of articles, buildings, and graphic images, and uses concepts such as the functioning and the shape or equivalent features as necessary.

In addition, the Japanese Classification for Industrial Designs issued on January 1, 2005, includes the D-term, which further subdivides the classification by characteristics such as shape or other equivalent features.

The latest version of the Japanese Classification for Industrial Designs is the June 1, 2021 edition.

This page provides information on the Japanese Classification for Industrial Designs, the D-term, and the concordance table between the Locarno Classification and the Japanese Classification for Industrial Designs.

• Japanese Classification for Industrial Designs (June 1, 2021 edition) (PDF:7,903KB)
• Locarno Classification (14th edition) and Japanese Classification (June 1, 2021 edition) Concordance Table (Excel:521KB)

* Examples of the Article etc. to the Design, Appended Table of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Design Act (Appended Table 1 and 2 of the former Ordinance for Enforcement of the Design Act)

[Last updated 17 January 2024]

Contact

Electronic Design Examination System Planning Office (Classification) Design Division, Japan Patent Office E-mail: PA1501@jpo.go.jp