How to prepare Descriptions for Utility Model Applications (to be applied on or after January 1, 2009)

Details on how to prepare "descriptions"for utility model applications are as follows.

1. Instructions on how to draft descriptions

(1) Use white JIS A4 size (width 21.0cm x height 29.7cm) paper. The paper must not stain ink and the writing must not see through on the other side. Use the paper height long, and do not use letters, marks, frames or ruled lines unnecessarily.
(2) Letters sizes are to be between 10-point and 12-point, and must be typed or printed in black so it is clear and not easily erasable. Use hiragana (katakana for words of foreign origin), Kanji designated for daily use and Arabic numerals when appropriate. The subject of the relevant device in the 【Title of Device】column must not be written in hankaku (half-width). Further, "▲", "▼"(replacement marks), "【", "】"(Sumitsuki brackets)may not be used. (Except when using the "【"and "】"for section titles.)
(3) Use the left to right writing method, 40 letters in a line, and within 50 lines in a page and write a page number in a page blank at the upper light of each page.
(4) Make sure there are at least 2cm margins on the left and right hand side, and top and bottom side of each paper, and in principle the left and right margins are not to exceed 2.3cm.
(5) Bind the papers on the left hand side, preferably using a stapler etc. so the papers are easy to disassemble and rebind.
(6) Crossing out, corrections、double writing and insertions are not permitted on each sheet.

2.About the 【Title of Document】column

Write the title of the document as "description".

3. About the 【Title of Device】column

Create a title that concisely and clearly describes the subject of the device such as "A shift lever control device for cars"or "A condenser radio receiver". Do not add phrases that are irrelevant to the subject of the device such as "Tanaka style"or "new-style".

4. About the detailed description of the device

As provided in the Utility Model Act Article 5(4) and the Regulations under the Utility Model Act Article 3, the statement of the detailed description of the device shall clear and sufficient as to enable any person ordinarily skilled in the art to carry out the device.

As a rule, before the paragraphs put paragraph numbers in 4 digit Arabic numbers using the brackets "【"and　"】", such as 【0001】, 【0002】, put section titles like the (1) to (5) shown below before the paragraph numbers, and then describe concisely the subject of the device. (If due to the nature of the device the section titles below are not suitable, then it is possible to put alternative titles.)

(1) 【Technical Field 】

This is a statement of the field of the art to which the device pertains, and should be written concisely such as "This device relates to ～ for ～".

(2) 【Background Art 】

When there are prior art which are related to the device for which the utility model is sought is available, include these as much as possible. The following is an example of how to draft this section.

【Background Art 】

【0002 】

Among the previous ○○○, ⋅⋅⋅⋅have been proposed (for example see Patent Literature 1). Some have also arranged ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ (for example see Non Patent Literature 1). …….

The previous○○○, using the drawing ○and drawing ○.……….

(3) 【Citation List 】

When documents of prior art are available, include these documents as far as possible. The following is an example of how to draft this section.

【Citation List 】
【Patent Literature 】
【0006 】
【PTL 1 】JP 6-996620 A (Page 3 , Drawing 1)
【PTL 2 】JP 7-997730 A(Page 4, Drawing 1)
【Non Patent Literature 】
【0007 】
【NPL 1 】○○Electric　Home Electrical Appliance Catalogue1994, ○○Electric Company, 1994, page 16

(4) 【Summary of Device 】

Put the section title "【Summary of Device 】"before the section title "【Technical Problem 】".
【Technical Problem 】
Describe in this section a technical problem or problems of the prior art that the device for which the utility model is sought is aiming to solve.
【Solution to Problem 】
The device described in the claims will be the solution to the technical problems to be solved. Therefore usually the constitution of the device described in the claims of utility model is written here.
【Advantageous Effects of Device 】
Disclose how the device for which the utility model is sought is technically superior to the prior art and state this as an advantageous effect of the device. This is an important fact in judging the inventive step of the device.

(5) 【Brief Description of Drawings 】

When drawings are attached, change the line per drawing and describe as "【Fig. 1 】Front View", "【Fig. 2 】Plane View", and place the title 【Brief Description of Drawings 】before the drawings.

(6) 【Description of Embodiments 】, 【Example 】

To enable any person ordinarily skilled in the art to which the device pertains to work the device, describe the embodiments showing how to carry out the device in the 【Description of Embodiments】section. If necessary draft concrete example after the title 【Example】. The description of embodiments includes at least one embodiment which applicants consider the best mode.

(7) 【Industrial Applicability 】

If the industrial applicability of the device for which the utility model is sought is not clear, then try to write down the industrial applications, production methods and the usage methods. Since in most cases the industrial applicability of the device is obvious, the description in this column is not required.

(8) 【Reference Signs List 】

When describing the signs which refer to the main parts of the drawing, add the section title【Reference Signs List】before the description of the signs concerned.

5. Elements such as chemical formula in the description

If elements such as chemical formula are to be included in the description, they are to be numbered consecutively in the order such as if chemical formula 【Chem.1】【Chem. 2】, if mathematical formula 【Math.1】【Math.2】, and Tables 【Table1】【Table 2】. The chemical formulae etc. must not be longer than width 170mm and length 255mm, and a chemical formula etc. cannot be written beyond a page.

[Last updated 7 September2009]

Consultation Department

The National Center for Industrial property Information and Training

Tel : +81-3-3581-1101(ex.2121-2123)

Fax : +81-3-3502-8916

Top of page

Address:3-4-3 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-8915, Japan