20.08.2007
JPO Publishes IP Link Collection
The Japanese Patent Office published an updated list with various links to Japanese and foreign industrial property systems.
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07.06.2007
9th Edition of Trilateral List of Identifications of Goods and Services Has Been Published By The JPO
The Japanese Patent Office (JPO) has introduced the 9th edition of the trilateral list of identification of goods and services on June 4. The list is available online at the website of the JPO. The Trilateral Co-operation was established in 1983 between the European Patent Office (EPO), the Japanese Patent Office (JPO) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The 9th edition of the trilateral list of identification of goods and services contains approximately 7200 English identifications acceptable to all three offices.
15.05.2007
Trilateral Search Guidebook in Biotechnology Now Available Online
The Trilateral Search Guidebook in Biotechnology - Part I is now available at the homepage of the JPO.
The so-called Trilateral Co-operation was established in 1983 between the European Patent Office (EPO), the Japanese Patent Office (JPO) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). These offices process the majority of of all patent applications filed worldwide, including PCT applications.
01.02.2007
Japan — Trademark statistics 1995-2005
One should never make the mistake of underestimating the importance of trademarks in Japan. Trademarks are ubiquitous in Japanese daily life. Their relevance can also be seen in the annual statistics published by the Japanese Patent Office.
The table below shows the number of applications from 1995 until 2005 in Japan:
| Year | Number of Applications | Percent of preceding year |
| 1995 | 179,689 | – |
| 1996 | 188,160 | 104.7 |
| 1997 | 133,116 | 70.7 |
| 1998 | 112,469 | 84.5 |
| 1999 | 121,861 | 108.4 |
| 2000 | 145,668 | 119.5 |
| 2001 | 123,754 | 85.0 |
| 2002 | 117,406 | 94.9 |
| 2003 | 123,325 | 105.0 |
| 2004 | 128,843 | 104.5 |
| 2005 | 135,776 | 105.4 |
The number of trademark registrations from 1995 until 2005 in Japan are stated in the table below:
| Year | Number of Registrations | Percent of preceding year |
| 1995 | 144,911 | – |
| 1996 | 178,251 | 123.0 |
| 1997 | 253,272 | 142.1 |
| 1998 | 132,066 | 52.1 |
| 1999 | 123,656 | 93.6 |
| 2000 | 94,493 | 76.4 |
| 2001 | 93,548 | 99.0 |
| 2002 | 105,114 | 112.4 |
| 2003 | 108,568 | 103.3 |
| 2004 | 95,866 | 88.3 |
| 2005 | 94,439 | 98.5 |
The Annual Reports of the Japanese Patent Office show that the number of rejections in Japan is relatively high. The reasons for it - especially with regard to applications filed by foreigners - may be mainly seen in the language barrier and the differing local Japanese procedures and rules, such as the difference in implementation of the international trademark classification. Therefore, a professional in-depth trademark search is indispensable prior to a trademark application in Japan.
