For Improvement For Improvement of IP Infrastructureof IP Infrastructure

Japan Patent Office

2

“A-RI-GA-TO”

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Global Growth in Patent Filings

Patent filings are growing in number worldwide. Especially foreign filings are rapidly increasing. Foreign filings by Japanese companies are also increasing.

　 Changes of Patent Filings in the World

Source: WIPO Industrial Property Statistics

　 Changes of Patent filings by Japanese Applicants

JP83%

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

1995 2000 2004 2008（ year of filings ）

(in thousands)

foreign filings

national filings

(year of filings)

334 330

71172

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

1995 2008

foreign filings

national filings

Overseas 17%US 40EU 10CN 5KR 9

Overseas 34%US 82EU 23CN 33KR 18

(in thousands)

JP66%

35%

40%42%

44%

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Effects of Increase in Patent Filings on Examination

As the number of patent filings are globally increasing, examination burden at IPOs is increased.

　 Shortening the pendency period is the common issue for IP offices to deal with.

25.925.625.8

29.128.5

26.7

35.333.9

32.431.831.8

24.9

21.823.4

25.7

3231.330.6

34.833.5

23.8

26.1

1920.2

22.8

41.7

46.945.3

43.9

40.6

15

25

35

45

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

(months)

Tota

l pen

dencyF

A

pendency

JP

EP

JP

EP

US

US

Changes in pendency

Source:

Trilateral Statistical Report,

Four Office Statistical Report

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Enhancing patent examination quality for stable patent protection.

Enhancing the PPH for the environment where applicants acquire patents smoothly in foreign countries.

As the PPH developed, the Offices recognize the importance of Patent Harmonization. Discussion on harmonization started in the IP5 framework.

Goal

Mid term goal

Harmonization of Patent System

Realization of an International

Patent NetworkMoving forward the discussions on

Patent Law/Practice Harmonization

Trilateral

& 　 IP5

Accelerate

discussions on

Harmonization

WIPO

Other fora

Granting stable rights that will be valid worldwide

Development of foreign patent document search system

Establishment of a Common Classification

Examination system which responds to globalization 　

PCT

144 Countries

Acceleration of an

International

Patent NetworkEnhancing cooperation with Asian countries

PPH21 Countries/Orgs

Mutual understanding on patent systems

and practices

Patent Strategy of Japan Patent Office

(1)(4)(3)

(2)

6

Expanding PPH Network

JPO and SIPO have commenced a PPH pre-pilot program in May, 2011

： PPH： PCT-PPH

：　 PPH MOTTAINAI

EPO(Europe)

IP Australia（Australia）

ROSPATENT(Russia)

DPMA(Germany)

DKPTO (Denmark)

JPO (Japan)

UKIPO(UK)

KIPO(Korea)

USPTO(USA)

CIPO (Canada)

HIPO(Hungary) APO

(Austria)

SPTO(Spain)

IMPI(Mexico)

INPI(Portugal)

PRV(Sweden)

ILPO(Israel)

NPI(Nordic)

IPOS(Singapore)NBPR

(Finland)

TIPO(Taiwan)

EPO(Europe)

IP Australia（Australia）

ROSPATENT(Russia)

DPMA(Germany)

DKPTO (Denmark)

JPO (Japan)

UKIPO(UK)

KIPO(Korea)

USPTO(USA)

CIPO (Canada)

HIPO(Hungary) APO

(Austria)

SPTO(Spain)

IMPI(Mexico)

INPI(Portugal)

PRV(Sweden)

ILPO(Israel)

NPI(Nordic)

IPOS(Singapore)NBPR

(Finland)

TIPO(Taiwan)

May 2011 SIPO

As of 1st of September, 2011

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Patent Harmonization & IP5

Momentum of Patent

Harmonization

Progress in the Patent Reform Act in the

U.S. which includes First to File system.

Through the PPH. Recognize the

necessity of patent law and practice

harmonization.

At the 4th Head meeting of IP5 in Tokyo, Japan, Discussions on Patent Harmonization within the IP5 framework for the first time.

The IP5 had been forwarding efforts including examination cooperation and

improvement of IT infrastructure in the sense of worksharing......,

Patent filing & IP5

Among the applications worldwide

(1.9 Million), 80% are filed among

the Five Offices (Japan, US, EPO,

China, Korea).

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The 4th IP5 Heads of Office meeting

（ Photo ）From the left, President Battistelli (EPO), Commissioner Lee (Republic of Korea), Commissioner Iwai (JPO), Minister Kaieda (METI), Deputy Under Secretary Rea (USPTO), Commissioner Tian (SIPO), Director General Gurry (WIPO)

The Heads of Office Reaffirmed the importance of technical and substantive patent law

harmonization and emphasized the necessity of making it clear that it does not limit the freedom of each country to determine whether or not to grant a patent to each claimed invention:

Agreed to participate in harmonization talks at various international fora including IP5:

Agreed on conducting a study, making the most of existing works to provide a base for such harmonization discussions.

Results of the meetingResults of the meeting

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Mutual understanding on Patent Systems and Practices is beneficial for Patent Harmonization

Mutual understanding can be facilitated International Patent Network

Expansion of Examiner Exchange

JPO’s experience on examiner exchanging programs

As of the end of August, 2011

KIPO

USPTO

EPO

dispatch 236accept 185

SIPO

Trilateral Examiner Exchangedispatch 28

accept 12 respectively from EPO and USPTO

dispatch 7accept 8

dispatch 23accept 20

DPMA (Germany)

dispatch 28 accept 25

UKIPO (England)

dispatch 8accept 5

CIPO (Canada)

dispatch 2

DKPTO (Denmark)

accept 1

IP Australia accept 2

IP5 Workshop (from 2009)

dispatch 6

Harmony Visit (classification)dispatch 69

accept 8 from EPO, 3 from USPTO

JPO

ROSPATENT(Russia)

dispatch 4accept 3

CGPDTM(India) dispatch 2

PRV (Sweden)

dispatch 3accept 2

TIPO(Taiwan)

dispatch 4

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“A-RI-GA-TO”

Thank you

A-RI-GA-TO