“Filing” is the term used for a procedure that must be followed to ensure the protection of intellectual property, including new technologies, designs, and trademarks, but excluding copyrights. To obtain a patent right for a new material, method, or manufacturing process, for example, the inventor must prepare all necessary documents, filling out an application and drafting a specification of the invention, and must submit these documents to the Japan Patent Office. Our office handles all IP-related matters including the filing of applications for domestic and foreign patents, utility models, designs, and trademarks, as well as any intermediate processes such as responses and appeals.

Filing a Patent Application

The patent system is in place to protect new technologies (inventions) related to materials, methods, and manufacturing processes, for example. Our staff is skilled in the fields of machinery, articles of manufacture, electrical systems, physical processes, software, networks, semiconductors, and other areas. (We do not handle inventions related to organic chemistry.) We offer services for filing applications in Japan and overseas and for filing PCT applications.

Applications for Utility Model Registration

The utility model system serves to protect devices related to the shape or construction of articles. Because a utility model application is not subject to a substantive examination, utility model rights can generally be obtained more quickly and at a lower cost than patent rights. We handle applications for utility model registration in a variety of fields and can file applications in Japan and overseas. Please contact us for more information.

Applications for Trademark Registration

The system for trademark registration functions to ensure the maintenance of business confidence through the protection of character(s), figure(s), and other marks used in connection with goods and services. Subjects of trademark protection include brand names, company names, and logos. We handle applications for trademark registration in a variety of fields and can file applications in Japan and overseas. Please contact us for more information.

Applications for Design Registration

The system of design registration is in place to protect the creation of designs with visual appeal in the form of a shape, patterns, or colors of an article. We handle applications for design registration in a variety of fields and can file applications in Japan and overseas. Please contact us for more information.