4Trials and Appeals4審判Trials and Appeals play a role in reviewing examiner’s decision of refusal as the upper instance of examination, and in contributing to early resolution of disputes over the validity of IP rights. To fulll these roles, various initiatives to expedite and improve proceedings have been taken.1) Performance of Trials and AppealsThe JPO has been working on expeditious and precise proceedings for trial and appeal cases. The status of the proceedings in 2018 is as shown in Figure 2-1-17. [Figure 2-1-17]• In response to the needs for early determination, the JPO conducts accelerated appeal proceedings under which the appeal against an examiner’s decision of refusal case is prioritized in proceedings upon request if the case satises the specic requirements.• In 2018, the number of requests for accelerated appeal proceedings*1 was 188 for patents, 2 for designs, and 11 for trademarks. The average pendency period*2 was 3.8 months for patents, 1.8 months for designs, and 3.5 months for trademarks.• Inter-partes trial cases, including a trial for invalidation, where the validity of granted rights is disputed, are prioritized over ex-parte appeal cases in principle for early dispute resolution.2) Revision of the Manual for Trial and Appeal ProceedingsRevised version of “Manual for Trial and Appeal Proceedings” aimed at reviewing operation of the System of Opposition to Grant of Patent, clarifying explanation of correction procedures in general, etc. has been used from October 1, 2018. Details of the revision regarding the System of Opposition to Grant of Patent are as follows.• Enhance the contents of a notice of reasons for revocation• Shorten pendency period by making the second notice of reasons for revocation as an advance notice of reasons for revocation in principle• Make an inquiry with the opponent and hear opinions of the opponent as necessary even if no request for correction is led• Adopt any publication submitted by a third party after the expiration of time limit for opposition to grant of patent (opposition period) where it is at a glance obvious that the reasons constitute appropriate reasons for revocation審判は、審査の上級審として審査官がした拒絶査定を見直す役割や、産業財産権の有効性をめぐる紛争の早期解決に資する役割を担っている。これらの役割を十分に果たすため、審理の迅速化や充実に向けた種々の取組を実施している。1) 審判実績審判においても迅速かつ的確な審理に取り組んでおり、2018年の審理の状況は2-1-17図のとおりである。[2-1-17図]• 早期の判断を求めるニーズに応えるため、特定の要件を満たす拒絶査定不服審判事件について、申出により審理を優先的に行う早期審理を実施。• 2018年における早期審理の申出件数*1は特許で188件、意匠で2件、商標で11件であり、審理期間*2は特許で平均3.8か月、意匠で平均1.1か月、商標で平均3.5か月。• 無効審判等、権利付与後にその権利の有効性を争う審判事件については、紛争の早期解決を図るため、原則として査定系の審判事件より優先的に着手。2) 審判便覧の改訂特許異議申立制度の運用の見直しや、訂正一般についての説明の明確化等を目的として改訂された審判便覧は、2018年10月1日より運用されている。特許異議申立制度に関する主な改訂内容は、以下のとおりである。• 取消理由通知の内容の充実化。• 原則、2回目の取消理由通知を決定の予告とすることで、審理期間を短縮。• 訂正請求がない場合であっても、必要に応じて、特許異議申立人に対して審尋を行い、特許異議申立人の意見を聴取。• 異議申立期間経過後に提出された文献は、適切な取消理由を構成することが一見して明らかな場合には、証拠として採用。Chapter 1 第1章74
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