Fast Track Examination

Notice

Due to the shortening of the examination period, the Fast Track Examination will be suspended as of FY2022. The resumption date has not yet been determined. *For applications filed on or before March 31, 2023 (Friday), those that meet the requirements will be subject to the Fast Track Examination. *When the Fast Track Examination is to be resumed, prior notice will be given on the JPO homepage, etc.

1. Outline of the Fast Track Examination

Fast track examination is an examination operation where applications that meet the conditions will be examined in about 6 months from the filing date.¹

• 1 The length of time may be adjusted according to the state of commencement of regular examinations for applications.

2. Application for Trademark Registration Which Shall be Subject to Fast Track Examination

Applications that satisfy both of the following requirements shall be subject to the fast track examination:

• (1) An application for trademark registration in which only the goods or services published in the “Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services” “Regulation for Enforcement of the Trademark Act” or “International Classification of Goods and Services (Nice Classification)” (hereinafter referred to as the “goods or services indicated in the guidelines, etc.”) are designated at the time of filing; and
• (2) An application for trademark registration with respect to which no amendment of the designated goods or designated services has been made until the commencement of the examination.

• * Applications filed for non-traditional trademarks, some three-dimensional trademarks (trademarks that represent the exterior or interior of stores, offices and facilities, or trademarks that require “Detailed Description of Trademark”), regional collective trademarks and international applications under the Madrid system are excluded.
• * If goods or services other than the “goods or services indicated in the guidelines, etc.” such as the “ Goods/service name (only Japanese or English) adopted by examination” published in the “Goods/Service Name Search ( External link )” in the Japan Platform for Patent Information (J-PlatPat)are designated, the relevant application shall be ineligible.
• * Even though the difference in indication between the designated goods or services and the goods or services indicated in the guidelines, etc. is slight, , the relevant application shall be ineligible.
  Example: With respect to the indication of Class 41 “arranging, conducting and organization of seminars” (Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services), the designated service is Class 41 “arranging and conducting of seminars” → Ineligible
• * Applications filed on or after February 1, 2020, shall be subject to this operation. Also applications subject to Fast track examination submitted before January 31, 2020 will be examined approximately two months earlier than regular examination.

For the goods and services indicated in the guidelines, etc., please refer to the following links.

Information about Classification of Goods and Services

• [Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services] (in Japanese)
• [International Classification of Goods and Services (Nice Classification)] (in Japanese)

* Goods and services published as [reference] in the Examination Guidelines for Similar Goods and Services are also covered (because they are goods and services published in the “International Classification of Goods and Services (Nice Classification)”).

3. Requests for Fast Track Examination

Requests and fees are unnecessary.

4. Operations and JPO Procedures, etc. for Applications Subject to Fast Track Examination

• (1) Extract of applications subject to fast track examination
  An application for trademark application which satisfies the requirements set forth in 2. above shall automatically be subject to fast track examination.
  However, some applications may require time depending on the case, same as applications undergoing regular examination.
• (2) Indication in Trademark Gazette, etc.
  It will not be indicated whether or not the relevant application is subject to fast track examination in the Trademark Gazette, etc.

5. Reference information

• Q&A: Fast Track Examination for Trademarks

* This operation will be conducted as a trial for a while. Full-scale introduction will be examined after verifying the operation status.

[Last updated 31 March 2023]

Contact

Trademark Division Trademark and Customer Relations Department Japan Patent Office E-mail:PA1400@jpo.go.jp