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“Toward further utilization of patent information” Report, submitted by the subcommittee on dissemination and utilization of patent information consisting of patent information experts, appointed under the Intellectual Property Committee under Industrial Structure Council, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, in May 2016.
The future direction of the official patent information provision service operated by the JPO and the National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training (INPIT) has been summarized as below.
The JPO and the INPIT should continuously improve the infrastructure of patent information provision service to broadly disseminate the patent information with the efforts to provide the world’s utmost quality service for the users in Japan with full considerations of the trends of globalization, advancement of IT, approaches to the related services by foreign IP offices and private business operators, and requests from users in Japan including small and medium-sized companies and individuals.
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Concerning the above (i), the JPO started Foreign Patent Information Service (FOPISER) which enables users to retrieve overseas patent information obtained by data exchange with foreign IP offices in Japanese by means of machine translation in August 2015 and the number of the foreign countries which have agreed to provide their patent information is increasing accordingly. For details, see 3. (4) a-4).
Concerning the above (ii), the JPO started service to integrally provide documents (dossier information) concerning domestic and overseas patent application/examination from July 2016 on the Japan Platform for Patent Information (J-PlatPat). For more information about this, see (2) a-2)．
Concerning the above (iii), since March 2018, search functions of the Japan Platform for Patent Information (J-PlatPat) were harmonized with those of the existing patent examination systems and its database functions have been significantly enhanced. Due to this, combination search by patent classifications and key words, proximity search, text search in English for patent gazettes overseas were added, and expanded range of target periods for text search of domestic publications and expanded upper limit on the number of indicated search results were realized. In May 2019, some functions were improved such as an improvement in the time lag of the update for examination and trial status information, and an expansion of the provided document coverage and search subjects, etc. Further, since March 2020, the JPO has made functional improvements such as batch download of multiple publication documents in PDF, addition of a narrow-down retrieval search function based on the date of trial decision search, etc.
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Toward the realization of “the world’s utmost quality service to provide patent information,” in order to discuss how the measures for disseminating and utilizing patent information should be, the subcommittee on dissemination and utilization of patent information consisting of patent information experts was appointed under the Intellectual Property Committee under Industrial Structure Council, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in July 2015. The result of the study was summarized as a report, “Toward further utilization of patent information” in May , 2016. Based on the report, activities were promoted.
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b) Electronic application
The e-filing software allows users to conduct administrative procedures, such as the filing of applications for patents, utility models, industrial designs and trademarks, and PCT-RO international application, appealing for trials and payment of the annual fees, and receipt of documents dispatched from the JPO, on-line. The software may be downloaded for free.
https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/process/shutugan/pcinfo/index.html.
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a) Search for Examination Document Information, One Portal Dossier
a-1) Search for Examination Document Information
J-PlatPat allows users to search various domestic examination documents such as notifications of reasons for refusal, written opinions and written amendments issued in July 2003 onwards by specifying document numbers such as application number and publication number. It is possible to search for patent examination-related documents issued from December 1990 and trial documents from January 2000.
a-2) Search for One Portal Dossier
Since July 2016, users have been able to integrally search for Dossier Information (information relating application/examination of the patent family) using the J-PlatPat by specifying document numbers of the corresponding countries including JPO patent application numbers. In March 2017, the JPO started providing enriched citation (information such as categories and quotations at the time of citation by an examiner) in One Portal Dossier provided by J-PlatPat. As of August 2020, Dossier Information has expanded with the information from the Offices of Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and WIPO (PCT International Application) from its initial information from IP5 Offices.
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In 2019, as the patent documents that were assigned FI and IPC, the JPO issued about 220,000 for publication of patent application, about 40,000 for publication of Japanese translation of PCT international application, about 25,000 for re-publication of PCT international publication, about 180,000 for publication of Patent, and about 5,000 for publication of registered utility model. Further, the JPO sent their delegates to IPC-related WIPO meetings, along with participating in the activities for the revision of the IPC.
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b) Translation
1) English Abstracts of Publication of Unexamined Patent Application in Japan (PAJ)
PAJ consists of abstracts and typical drawings of published unexamined patent applications. The PAJ is currently sent to 67 foreign patent offices and public institutions. In addition, the J-PlatPat provides the services for retrieving the PAJ through text searching. The PAJ is also provided to commercial patent information providers in Japan for free via the bulk data download service in the J-PlatPat.
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a-2) J-PlatPat
The JPO started to provide the Industrial Property Digital Library (IPDL) service through the Internet in March 1999. This service has enabled users to search patent information by using document numbers and classifications as search keys. This service was transferred to the INPIT as of October 2004, and has been operated by the INPIT since then.
In order to meet advancing and diversifying user needs for patent information, the INPIT renovated the IPDL and started providing the J-PlatPat in March 2015, a new service to provide patent information via user-friendly interface. The J-PlatPat currently stores about 130 million cases of patent information and can be searched by document numbers, various classifications, keywords, etc. In addition, all functions are also available in English.
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a-3) Chinese and Korean Gazette Translation and Search System
In January 2015, the JPO built the “Chinese and Korean Gazette Translation and Search System” which enables users to search machine translated full-text data (machine translation into Japanese) of Chinese/Korean patent/utility model documents by using Japanese text and made it available to examiners and the general users. Full texts (machine translation into Japanese) of Chinese Published Unexamined Patent Applications (CN-A), Chinese patent gazettes (CN-B and CN-C), Chinese Published registered utility model applications (CN-U and CN-Y), Korean Published Unexamined Patent Applications (KR-A), Korean patent gazettes (KR-B), Korean Published Unexamined Utility Model Applications (KR-U), and Korean Published registered utility model applications (KR-Y) published from 2003 onwards can be searched in Japanese. As of the end of March 2018, about 20 million patent/utility model documents are stored in the system. This service ended at the end of June 2019 because full-text machine translations are searchable on the J-PlatPat from since May 2019.
a-4) FOPISER
In August 2015, the JPO launched the FOPISER, a search service to promptly provide the general users with patent information obtained from foreign IP Offices by data exchange between foreign IP Offices. Patent/utility model documents of Russia, Taiwan, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand which are not available for a search on the J-PlatPat, are available for simplified search by using document numbers and English key words via Japanese user interface.
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b-1) New Standardized Data
This data is the JPO’s bibliographical and status information converted and processed into TSV format for better usability for external users. The data has been provided since May 2019.
b-2) Proceeding Standardized data
This data is the JPO’s bibliographical and status information converted and processed into XML format, etc. for better usability for external users. As of August 2020, the data up to September 2019 has been provided.
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b-5) Japanese abstracts of Chinese patent documents(※)
Three types of data manually translated in Japanese are as below:
- Abstracts of Chinese Published Unexamined Patent Applications published between 2010 and 2015.
- Excerpts of a part of Chinese Patent gazettes with the purpose of complementing machine translation. The material is extracted from claims, descriptions, etc., which are necessary to comprehend the contents of inventions.
- Full-text data of a part of Chinese Published Unexamined Patent Applications and Chinese Patent gazettes which were cited in the international search report.
※The abstracts are no longer produced after the end of March 2019.
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c) Reference to Official Gazettes on Patent
The INPIT has 37 access devices, including sophisticated information browsing terminals, which is are available in the Official Gazettes Reading Room on the second floor of the JPO office building. This allows free public access to “a search service for patent gazettes,” the J-PlatPat Service, gazettes on CD-ROM/DVD-ROM, etc.
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e) Provision of Licensable Patent Information
In order to ensure a smooth transfer of patents owned by companies, universities and public research institutes and prepared for rights transfers or licenses (licensable patents) and to promote their commercialization, the INPIT built a database of licensable patents, and made them available to the public on-line as the Patent Licensing Information Database.
The number of licensable patents registered in the Patent Licensing Information Database is estimated to be approximately 28,000 patents as of the end of July 2020.
In addition, in response to the spread of COVID-19 infection, the patents related to COVID-19 infection control measures have been registered in the Patent Licensing Information Database. The registration of the patents related to COVID-19 infection control will be continuously promoted in order to accelerate the open innovation that contributes to COVID-19 infection control.
https://plidb.inpit.go.jp/
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Legal status information of applications filed in January 1964 onwards can be searched on the J-PlatPat by using document numbers such as application numbers, publication numbers and registration numbers. In addition, Alert Service to notify of the status information update of designated applications is also available.
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The JPO has been using an electronic application system, file wrapper system and peripheral examination assistance system since 1990. These systems improve the efficiency of administrative works by computerizing application filing, formality/substantive examinations, dispatch, registration, gazette publications, and requesting for inspection of files, requesting for certification.
In addition, an applicant can file a patent application or a utility model application via on-line from a personal computer. In October 2005, in addition to the conventional electronic applications through ISDN lines, the acceptance of electronic applications utilizing the Internet, as well as 24 hours a day, 365 days a year full-time acceptance of all electronic applications was introduced. Furthermore, in January 2007, the PCT international application via the internet was introduced.
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a) Patent and Utility Model Search System
In December 1999, a patent and utility model search system, based on a distributed computing system, was put into operation. This system integrated not only the conventional F-term search system and a system to search computer-software related non-patent literature (CS literature), but also a foreign patent document search system using International Patent Classification (IPC) and patent classifications of overseas Offices such as Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC). In addition, non-patent literature in a wide range of technical fields has been made searchable on the integrated system since 2009. Multiple search keys, such as F-term, FI, keyword, CS term, IPC and CPC, can be inputted simultaneously; thus an examination environment, enabling a seamless search of various documents, such as domestic patents, foreign patents, non-patents, was created.
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a) File building and updating
The search files used by the examiner are prepared in association with FI, F-term, etc. Additionally, such search files are continuously renewed so that they are up-to-date.
b) Storage, including mass storage media
The search indices file used by the examiner is stored in an electronic form on RAID. In addition, document index information is stored on memory.
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a) J-PlatPat
The INPIT compiles an instruction brochure/manual for how to operate and utilize various search services provided by the J-PlatPat.
URL
URL https://www.inpit.go.jp/j-platpat_info/reference/index.html
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Patent information is as important as journal information for researches conducted at universities, etc. In addition, patent information has a characteristic as public goods, since it is widely disclosed and contributes to the development of science and technology. The JPO has provided the Official Gazette Fixed-address Service which allows users such as universities to directly access data contained in Gazettes on the J-PlatPat with the aim of supporting R&D by universities.
In response to a growing need for machine translation of foreign patent documents, the JPO and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) cooperate with each other to improve the accuracy and promote utilization of machine translation of Chinese, Korean, English etc.
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a) J-PlatPat etc. training seminars
Training seminars of the J-PlatPat were held by the INPIT for beginners of industrial property right search from individuals and SMEs (25 times in 16 major cities nationwide in FY2019).
The organization also held information sessions of the J-PlatPat by request from universities and enterprises enterprises (2 times in FY2019).
b) Search expert training seminars
The INPIT held the following trainings.
- Training for Developing Searchers
The INPIT offers statutory training for those who wish to become “searchers" (staff that conduct the preparatory search business for prior art document searches outsourced by the JPO) in registered search organizations. (Article 37 of the Act on the Special Provisions to the Procedure, etc. Concerning Industrial Property Right) (four times).
- Training seminar for Search Experts [patent]
This training seminar is for those who have sufficient knowledge in the Patent Act. The seminar aims at developing human resources who contribute to the rationalization of filing applications and making requests for substantive examination by further improving their capabilities of conducting prior art searches. (twice)
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c) Sending Official Gazette on DVD-ROM to overseas
In 2015, the JPO exchanged official gazettes, etc. with 56 organizations (including international organizations) in 53 nations, out of which the JPO sent DVD-ROM “Japanese Patent and Registered Utility Model Specifications” to 28 organizations. The JPO also sent DVD-ROM “Published unexamined Patent applications” to 26 organizations.
The JPO discontinued sending official gazettes on DVD-ROM overseas in March 2015 and is currently providing the data on line.
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a) Dossier Information Mutual Reference System
The JPO as a lead Office promotes the One Portal Dossier (OPD), a system to integrally acquire and display information relating to applications and examinations (dossier information) concerning a set of the patent family filed in the IP5 Offices. Examiners of the IP5 Offices mutually have accessed dossier information of the IP5 Offices using this system since July 2013.
In March 2014, the JPO, through collaboration with the WIPO, established a linkage between the OPD and the WIPO-CASE, a dossier access system developed by the WIPO, to enable WIPO-CASE participating offices to refer to OPD’s dossier information.
The IP5 Offices have advanced cooperation so as to further expand service of the OPD developed for examiners and to allow general users around the world to receive the service alike. The JPO started service of providing the public with the OPD service at the J-PlatPat in July 2016.
b) PI Policies
At the Heads Meeting of IP5 Offices (EPO, JPO, KIPO, CNIPA and USPTO) held in June 2013, the IP5 Offices agreed on the policies prescribing the scope of and conditions for data on Patent Gazettes exchanged among the IP5 Offices. Specifically, the policies prescribe 1) the basic principle that the patent offices shall provide patent information at marginal costs or for free and 2) the scope of and conditions for use of data on Gazettes exchanged for free among patent offices. In response to this agreement, patent information which shall be subject to exchange under the agreement and the timing to implement this data exchange were discussed. In June 2014, the IP5 Offices agreed on action plans for the policies.
c) Authority File
The authority file is a list of document numbers of Gazettes issued by each patent office including the IP5 in compliance with WIPO Standard ST.37. Each office periodically updates and provides authority files. Authority files of each office are available on WIPO authority file portal site（https://www.wipo.int/standards/en/authority_file.html）, and authority files of JPO is provided on its website (https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/system/laws/koho/internet/authorityfile.html).
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a-2) Workshop on utilization of the WIPO-CASE, etc.
This Workshop was held in the Philippines and India in FY 2019, and lectures were held to learn how to use WIPO-CASE, to know information that can be referred to by the system and to deepen awareness of the importance and effectiveness of work sharing in patent examination, and to promote its use and utilization. At the workshop, significance of work sharing in patent examination and how to read major documents at each examination stage were explained. Attendees actively asked questions about how to obtain and utilize Dossier information, how to search documents, Patent system in Japan and so on.
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a-5) Digitization support
In FY2019, the digitization project was implemented in Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda, Eswatini (former Swaziland), Botswana, Madagascar, Malawi, Zambia and OAPI, the Regional IP Office for Africa. The Philippines project was completed.
a-6) IT Personnel Development Workshop
In August 2019, a workshop for African countries for OAPI and ARIPO member members and other countries was held in Tanzania. The online tools and services provided by WIPO were introduced, and explanations and discussions were also carried out on the preconditions that the IP offices should consider in advance to realize the digitization of IP offices' operation using these tools and services. In October, a workshop for 10 ASEAN countries was held in Vietnam and the development status and specific functions of IT systems provided by WIPO such as the ASEAN Patentscope and WIPO-IPAS were introduced for the purpose of promoting the implementation and functional improvement of IT systems in each IP office. Furthermore Furthermore, as part of the support for the establishment of the Myanmar Intellectual Property Office, workshops for introducing online services were held three times in total, and experiences of the implementation of IT systems in the IP offices of neighboring countries were shared with the Myanmar side.
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