Handbook for PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination in the Japan Patent Office

July 2024
Examination Standards Office
Administrative Affairs Division,
Japan Patent Office

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has updated its “Handbook for PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination in the Japan Patent Office (hereinafter referred to as “PCT Handbook”)”, as well as provided a provisional English translation of the Handbook. When any ambiguity in terms of interpretation is found in the provisional translation, the Japanese text shall prevail. The link to the provisional translation of the Handbook is provided below.

Handbook for PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination in the Japan Patent Office (PDF:14,051KB)

1. What’s “Handbook for PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination in the Japan Patent Office”?

Due to the steadily increasing number of international applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), it was necessary to clarify its practices and procedures in the JPO acting as the International Searching and Preliminary Examining Authority under the PCT.

Based on this, the JPO first created the “Handbook for PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination in the Japan Patent Office” in October 2015. This Handbook is designed to improve the transparency and predictability of searches and examinations conducted by the JPO acting as the International Searching and Preliminary Examining Authority.

Procedures for international applications under the PCT are stipulated in the PCT (Treaty), Regulations under the PCT, and other PCT documents, as well as in Japan’s national laws such as the Act on International Applications under the PCT.

The objective of the Handbook is to explain the specific practices and procedures conducted by the JPO acting as the International Searching and Preliminary Examining Authority. The Handbook also cites relevant provisions in the PCT documents and, if applicable, Japan’s laws.

2. Revision history

Date	Brief description of revision
July 2024	More references to the “PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination Guidelines” were added.
January 2024	Forms were updated, such as the International Search Report (due to revision of the forms to correspond to the new WIPO Standards ST.26 for sequence listing.)
July 2022	Editorial and minor changes were made due to revision of “PCT Regulations” and “PCT Administrative Instructions” concerning nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence listing
June 2022	Editorial and minor changes were made due to the start to act as a competent ISA and IPEA for Saudi Arabia, and some errors were corrected.
April 2022	Editorial and minor changes were made due to clarification for Exclusions from Search/Examination
July 2021	Editorial and minor changes were made due to the start to act as a competent ISA and IPEA for India.
December 2020	Editorial and minor changes were made due to changes in the method of interview, etc.
July 2020	Editorial and minor changes were made due to revision of “PCT Regulations”　and “PCT Administrative Instructions”.
October 2018	Editorial and minor changes were made due to revision of “PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination Guidelines”, etc.
April 2018	Some errors were corrected.
August 2017	The description about the note on informal communication (ISA/207 and IPEA/428) was updated due to the clarification of handling a power of attorney. The description about the notification on informal communication (IPEA/427 and IPEA/429) was updated due to the clarification of determination of the deadline for submittal of amendments and the period of extension of time limit.
January 2017	Appendix B.2 “Non-Patent Literature” was updated due to a revision of WIPO Standards ST.14. §5.1 “Use of the Results of Earlier Search (Additional Form 2)” was updated due to a modification of Additional Form 2. Editorial and minor changes were made due to modifications of other Forms, etc.
April 2016	Amounts of additional fees and competences of Offices/Authorities were updated.
January 2016	Forms were updated, such as the International Search Report; references to the “PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination Guidelines” were revised; and errors were corrected.
October 2015	First edition was released.

[Last updated 25 July 2024]

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Examination Standards Office, Administrative Affairs Division, Japan Patent Office E-mail : PA2A10@jpo.go.jp