Examination（Patents）

Examination General

• Suspension of examination of a divisional application while the original application is pending trial
• US-JP Collaborative Search Pilot Program
• Collective Examinations for IP Portfolio Supporting Business Strategy

Examination Guideline/ Examination Handbook

• Examination Guidelines for Patent and Utility Model in Japan
• Outline of the Examination Guidelines for Patent and Utility Model
• Examination Handbook for Patent and Utility Model in Japan
• Examination Guidelines pertinent to IoT related technologies
• Case Examples pertinent to AI-related technologies
• Examination Guidelines in Life Sciences

Notifications of Reasons Refusal

• Restriction of Multi-Multi Claims
• Change of Operating Procedures regarding the Extension of the Specified Time Limit for Responding to a Notification of Reasons for Refusal concerning Patent Applications and Applications for Trademark Registration (starting from April 1, 2016)

Efforts on Notifications of Reasons Refusal

• Efforts about the writing format of notice of reasons for refusal etc.

Accelerated Examination

• Outline of Accelerated Examination and Accelerated Appeal Examination
• Outline of Super Accelerated Examination
• Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH)

Interview Examination

• Interview Examination (On-site Interview, Online Interview)

Third Party Observations

• Submission of Observations from Third Parties

Quality Management

• Quality Management on Patent Examination
• Invitation for Users' Opinions for Examination Quality Improvement