Changes in procedures and fees effective on and after January 1, 1999

The Patent Office is now working on a system of electronic processing of applications. Under the recently revised law (Law No. 51 for 1998) the procedures regarding fees etc. will change starting on January 1, 1999. The changes are as follows:

1. Application by flexible disks will no longer be accepted.
2. When application etc. for patents or utility models are made through papers, fees will be charged for submission of the amendment etc. as well as application papers for their electronic processing. The payment of the fees is to be made by using the payment form sent by Patent Application Processing Center. (Remark 1) The new regulation will be applied to applications which were filed on and after December 1, 1990. International applications will be excluded. (Remark 2) In the case of on-line applications, payment of the electronic processing charge is not necessary.
3. Actual fees are as follows:
   • (1) Electronic processing fees will be "\1,500 per application" plus "\700 for each sheet of papers" irrespective of the kind of application procedures to be processed.
   • (2) As for application papers for which electronic processing fees have been charged so far, the new fees listed above will be charged for those applied on and after January 1, 1999.
   • (3) Regarding notification of change of applicant, notification of appointment of representative, etc., two or more notifications can be made on the same paper, but electronic processing fees will be charged on the basis of one fee for each notification. (Fees relating to the Patent Law Enforcement Order, stipulated in Section 5(1)-i)

Reference

1. On-line application can be made in either of the two ways described below:
   1. On-line application through your own personal computer (PC) using the PC application software made and distributed (free of charge) by the Patent Office. (Linkup necessary)
   2. Utilization of common-use PCs for on-line application available (free of charge) at the prefectural chapters of the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation. (Advice given for free)
2. Effective on and after January 1, 2000, on-line application will become possible for design, trademark, trial (appeal against examiner's decision of rejection/refusal), international applications (for Designated Offices).

P:Patent, UM:Utility Model(applied on or before January 1, 1994)

Former UM:former Utility Model (applied on or before December 31, 1993)

* No electronic processing fees required for certificates that accompany the above-mentioned papers, such as powers of attorney and deeds of transfer.

* No electronic processing fees charged for papers other than those mentioned above.

(D:Design, TM:Trademark)

Address for inquiries regarding this matter

• Coordination Group, General Administration Division,
• General Administration Department, Patent Office
• Person in charge:Nakaki or Waragai
• Telephone:Key +81-3-3581-1101, Extension 2105 to 2107

Address for inquiries on preparation for on-line application, application for PC application software, etc.

• On-line application Management Group,
• Electronic Data Processing Administration Division,
• General Administration Department, Patent Office
• Person in charge:Tanaka, Shinoda, or Kiyokawa
• Telephone:Key +81-3-3581-1101, Extension 2508

Address for inquiries on other general procedures

• Industrial Property Consulting Office,
• National Center for Industrial Property Information, Patent Office
• Telephone:Key +81-3-3581-1101, Extension 2121

Telephone numbers for inquiries on procedures through on-line processing

[Last updated 1 January 1999 ]