How to use JPO website

Search within the site

Enter key words into the “Custom Search” box. Entering multiple search terms with a space between them will narrow down your results.

Search the navigation menu

Information on the JPO site has been grouped under six headings: “Announcements,” “Systems/Procedures,” “Related Services,” “Statistics/References,” “About the JPO,” and “FAQs.”

• “Announcements” include a “What’s New” section with press releases and website updates, news and updates, public comment invitations, the JPO’s photo gallery, and international topics.
• “Systems/Procedures” includes information for intellectual property (IP) beginners; the necessary information for acquiring rights in the four areas of patents, utility models, designs, and trademarks; trials and appeals; general procedures; laws and guidelines; publications; and information on other countries’ industrial property systems.
• “Related Services” is the gateway for searching for patents, utility models, designs, and trademarks on the Japan Platform for Patent Information (J-PlatPat), as well as for general services including utilization of IP Rights, the Intellectual Property Arbitration Portal Site, and the Standard Essential Patents Portal Site. You can also find services for specific users: SMEs and individuals, and universities and research institutes.
• “Statistics/References” includes both JPO and international statistics; the JPO’s status and annual reports, and results of the Annual User Satisfaction Survey on Patent Examination Quality; and committee and study group reports.
• “About the JPO” contains a message from the commissioner, a brief history of IP rights, the JPO’s organization and vision, and information on how to access the JPO, as well as an in-depth description of the JPO’s quality management regime.
• Under “FAQs,” you will also find questions frequently asked by users about types of counselling, procedures, and examinations.

Computer users:

Click any of these six categories to open a sub-menu.

Smartphone users:

Tap the menu mark to the left of the JPO logo at the top of the page, then click the plus sign to open the sub-windows for each category.

Search “Understanding IP”

Click “Understanding IP” for quick access to all information related to seven systems: patents, utility models, designs, trademarks, appeals/trials, and international applications.

Search “Popular Pages”

Click “Popular Pages” to access information grouped by purpose: J-PlatPat, Examinations, Laws and Regulations, Filings, and Utilization of IP rights.

Search “Information For”

Click “Information For” for information useful for beginners, SMEs and individuals, enterprises, and universities and research institutes, as well as international topics.

Search “For beginners”

Click “For beginners” for information useful for IP beginners.

Search latest information

Click “What’s New,” “Press Releases” or “Topics” to access the latest information.

Search footer menu (computer users only)

The footer menu can also be used to find information by system.

Search site map

See at a glance the composition of all the pages on the JPO website.

Change text size

Click the Text Size to adjust font size for ease of viewing.