1.  Outline of main policies and plans aimed at development of patent information activities and expected time frames for their realization

The outline of main policies and plans of patent information activities have officially been announced in the following report.

“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. 

The following policies are mentioned in the report with the said fundamental concept.

(i) Improving accessibility to foreign patent documents by using machine translation to Japanese.

(ii) Provision of One Portal Dossier (OPD) service, which is to offer overseas dossier information collectively.

(iii) Improving accessibility to unified database, which is internal and external to the JPO, through basic functions.

(iv) Provision of the service to share Japan’s world’s fastest and utmost quality examination results.

(v) External provision of substantive examinations/ appeal examinations related information regarding Design and Trademark.

2.  New projects launched or resumed this year in the context of the policies and plans mentioned above, short description: aims, partners, tasks

Refer to p.122(ii) and (iii) of JPO Status Report.

https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/statusreport/2023/document/index/0203.pdf#page=9

3.  Main areas of patent information activities and related information and communication technology (ICT) practices which were in the focus of attention last year

Refer to p.122(ii) and (iii) of JPO Status Report.

https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/statusreport/2023/document/index/0203.pdf#page=9

4. Statistics: changes in terms of application filings and grants with respect to previous year; trends or areas experiencing rapid changes

Refer to p.12 and after of JPO Status Report.

https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/statusreport/2023/document/index/0101.pdf

5. Other matters and useful links (URLs): annual report of the Office, news page, statistics, etc.

(Annual Report in Japanese) https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/nenji/index.html

(Status Report in Japanese and English) https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/resources/report/statusreport/index.html

1. Information and support provided by the JPO to applicants regarding filing on paper and/or e-filing (instructions, seminars, etc.) – URLs

a)      Paper-based application

The INPIT provides the free consultation service on the procedures for industrial property rights at the Consultation Desk in the JPO office building.

Moreover, the portal site for consultation and support on intellectual property is available at:

https://faq.inpit.go.jp/

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.

2. Availability of the application dossier in electronic form

a)      Search for Examination Document Information, One Portal Dossier

a-1) Search for Examination Document Information

Refer to p.122(ii) of JPO Status Report.

https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/statusreport/2023/document/index/0203.pdf#page=9

IPR Information Provision Services

https://www.inpit.go.jp/english/library/index.html

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 February 2023, 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. 

b)      On-line reference

The software for electronic application allows users to request or refer to application documents and registers from computers from their home or office, and to make a request for issuing certifications on-line.

See 2. (1) b) for the software for electronic application.

3. Classification¹, preclassification² (if applicable), reclassification³ activities; classification system used (e.g., International Patent Classification (IPC)), matters concerning indexing of patent information

In 2022, as the patent documents that were assigned FI and IPC, the JPO issued about 190,000 for publication of patent application, about 50,000 for publication of Japanese translation of PCT international application, about 210,000 for publication of Patent, and about 5,000 for publication of registered utility model. Further, the JPO joined in IPC-related WIPO meetings, along with participating in the activities for the revision of the IPC.

4. Abstracting, reviewing and translation of the information contained in patent documents

a)      Reviewing of the abstract

Although the abstract is prepared by the applicant, the JPO reviews whether the content of the abstract is appropriate, and if it is found inappropriate, the abstract is modified by the office ex officio so as to be able to get the picture of the invention or utility model quickly and accurately only from the abstract.

b)      Translation

b-1) English Abstracts of Publication of Unexamined Patent Application in Japan (PAJ)

PAJ Search

https://www.inpit.go.jp/english/library/index.html

b-2) Foreign patent documents

See 5. (3).

5. Other activities

Nothing in particular

1. Main types of publications of the JPO (patent applications, full text, first pages, abstracts, bibliographic data, granted patents, etc.), medium (on paper, on CDs, on-line – URLs)

The JPO published the following official gazettes via the Internet in 2022:

- Publication of Patent Application

- Publication of Japanese Translation of PCT International Application

- Publication of Registered Utility Model

- Publication of Patent

- Publication of Decision on Appeal/Trial in Patent

The following is the URL of published gazettes provided through the Internet.

URL: https://www.gazette.jpo.go.jp/scciidl010/onclickenglishbtn?hyouziFlag=2

*The renewal of the official gazette issuance website for the renewed official gazettes (release of the new official gazette system) was carried out on January 12, 2022.

2. Official Gazettes: main types of announcements, frequency of publication, medium (on paper, on CDs, on-line – URL), etc.

Nothing in particular

3.  Information products and patent document collections (coverage, medium, etc.) available to examiners, including external collections and databases

a)        Internal databases

See 4. (3) and (4).

b)        Commercial databases

AACR Publications, ACM DIGITAL LIBRARY, ACS Publications, ANNUAL REVIEWS, APS Journals, Chemical Documents Library, CHEMnetBASE, CODE V, Colour Index, Electrochemical Society (ECS Digital Library), GeneCards, Ichushi WEB, IEEE Xplore, INTERGLAD, Japio-GPG/FX, JDream III, Journal of Technical Disclosure WEB, Medical Online, Mintel GNPD, nature.com, Nikkei Pharma Business, Nikkei Telecom, OSA Publishing, Oxford Journals, Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, SPIE Digital Library, SpringerLink, STN, Wiley Online Library

(4)     Information products and patent document collections (coverage, medium, etc.) available to external users, conditions of access (e.g., free of charge, subscription, etc.)

a)      Providing patent information via the Internet

a-1) Providing official gazettes via the Internet.

See 3. (1).

a-2) J-PlatPat

Refer to p.122(ii) of JPO Status Report.

https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/statusreport/2023/document/index/0203.pdf#page=9

Introduction to J-PlatPat

https://www.inpit.go.jp/english/library/index.html

a-3) 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. In addition, in June 2020, a function to search for Japanese translations of Chinese trial decisions was added.

b)      Providing JPO data

The following types of data is currently provided to commercial providers in Japan by bulk data download service on the J-PlatPat.

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) PAJ

See 2. (4)b)

b-3) Japanese abstracts of European and U.S. patent data

Japanese abstracts of U.S. patent descriptions, U.S. patent descriptions of unexamined patent applications, and European descriptions of unexamined patent applications prepared by translators by comprehending scope of claims and contents of the descriptions/drawings and by summarizing contents of the inventions.

b-4) Machine-translated text data of Chinese-Korean documents

Chinese Published Unexamined Patent Applications, Chinese patent gazettes, Chinese Published registered utility model applications, Korean Published Unexamined Patent Applications, Korean patent gazettes, Korean Published Unexamined Utility Model Applications, and Korean Published registered utility model applications published from 2003 onwards are subject to this full-text machine translation.

c)         Reference to Official Gazettes on Patent

The INPIT has 15 access devices, including sophisticated information browsing terminals, which is available in the Official Gazettes Reading Room in 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, microfilm etc.

d)        Reference to examination and trial documents

The INPIT is collecting various technical documents (books, etc.), which are used in the examinations and trials by the JPO, widely from within and outside Japan and is making them available to the public.

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 Licensable  Patent Information Database.

The number of licensable patents registered in Licensable Patent Information Database is estimated to be approximately 23,300 patents as of the end of January 2023.

https://plidb.inpit.go.jp/

f)          Provision of Research Tool Patent Information

In order to promote use of research tool patents in a life science field, the INPIT has computerized information on the research tool patents owned by universities and public research institutes, enterprises, etc. and their license terms, and provides the information in “Research Tool Patent Database”.

The number of registrations in Research Tool Patent Database is about 260 as of the end of January 2023.

https://plidb.inpit.go.jp/research/home

5. Legal status information (kind of information, coverage, medium, etc.)

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 (RSS distribution) to notify of the status information update of designated applications is also available. RSS distribution has been expanded to cover all patent applications from 2021.

6.  Other sources

Nothing in particular

1. Specific software tools supporting business procedures within the JPO: general description, characteristics, advantages, possible improvements

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.

In 2022, the ratios of on-line electronic filing were 98.9% for patent and utility model, 99.4% for appeals, 99.9% for the national procedures of a PCT internal application, and 99.5% for PCT international application.

2. Hardware used to support business processes of the JPO

Servers, network devices, PCs for business use etc.

3. Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources

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.

A full text search function in Japanese and English has been actualized by using text data of domestic and foreign patent publications accumulated by adopting a paperless system.

b)      Search System for Appeal/Trial and Court Decisions (J-term search system)

Appeal/trial and court decisions are accumulated in the form of electronic data with a search index, called “J-term,” and searching and screening for the appropriate appeal/trial and court decisions are conducted by using “J-term.”

In addition, a full-text search service is available for appeal/trial and court decisions issued after January 2000.

c)       DNA Search System

This is a system introduced in January 1998 for searching gene-related information, and enables a homology search, which searches for a sequence utilizing homology in respect of nucleotide sequences and amino acid sequences, and a keyword search, which utilizes bibliographic data.

4. Establishment and maintenance of electronic search file: file building, updating, storage, documents from other offices included in the search file

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.

c)       Documentation from other offices maintained and/or considered part of the available search file

The text data and the image data of the EPO, USPTO, WIPO, CNIPA and KIPO, as well as the image data of major European countries are stored, and searches of CPC, IPC, etc. are available.

5. Administrative management electronic systems (register, legal status, statistics, and administrative support)

See 4. (1)

6. Other matters

Nothing in particular

1. Patent library: equipment, collection management, network of patent libraries in the country, cooperation with foreign patent libraries

a)      Operation of the JPO Library, collection and management of materials

a-1) Operation of the JPO Library

The JPO Library, as a branch library of the National Diet Library, is located on the first basement of the JPO office building, and is operated in the following manner.

1. Users

- JPO staff and general users

2. Open

- 9:30 to 17:30

a-2) Collection of materials

The following are collected: Materials concerning IP right legislation and the peripheral laws inside and outside of Japan, related materials necessary for understanding IP rights, related materials necessary for study of IP rights, and reference materials for general administration.

As of the end of 2022, the library contains about 37,650 volumes.

a-3) Preservation methods of materials

The books are labeled and stored with a storage number and classification data, and the bibliographic information is inputted in the library system constructing a database for the books.

2. Publications related to different business procedures and patent information sources available to users, for example, books, brochures, Internet publications, etc.

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

https://www.inpit.go.jp/j-platpat_info/reference/index.html

b) e-filing

Useful information on e-filing including how to fill out application forms and FAQs is provided at the “E-filing software support website”.

URL https://www.pcinfo.jpo.go.jp/site/

See 3. (4) for information products available to external users.

3. Office’s initiatives on providing foreign patent information in the local language(s) (e.g., machine translation tools, translation of abstracts)

a)      Japanese Abstracts of European and U.S. patent data

The INPIT creates Japanese Abstracts of European and U.S. patent data (See 3. (4) b-3)) and makes the data available for search and display by the J-PlatPat.

b)      FOPISER

See 3. (4)a-3).

4. Cooperation with universities, research centers, technology, and innovation support centers, etc.

Patent information is as important as journal information for research 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.

5. Education and training: training courses, e learning modules (URLs), seminars, exhibitions, etc.

a)      J-PlatPat etc. training seminars

Training seminars of the J-PlatPat were held online by the INPIT for beginners of industrial property right search from individuals and SMEs. In addition, videos of the seminar were provided through the e-learning system (IP ePlat).

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 supporting development of Search Expert Leaders

The purpose of this training is to support the development of excellent search leaders who are able to provide appropriate guidance to “searchers”. As well as improving search skills, this training aims to help leaders to acquire the teaching and management skills expected of them. (One time)

- Training for Advanced Patent Search (Let’s get closer to the Examiner's viewpoint!)

This training seminar is for those who have sufficient knowledge in the Patent Act. This seminar aims to develop human resources who are capable of drafting higher quality patent applications and acquiring strong and broad patent rights by further improving their capabilities of conducting prior art searches. (twice)

- Training seminar for Patent Search Practice

This seminar aims to develop human resources who can accurately draft higher quality patent applications and acquire strong and broad patent rights by learning how to determine patentability based on the Examination Guidelines for Patent, which is required before filing patent applications and after acquiring patents and/or enforcing patent rights, and/or conduct patent searches in an efficient manner accurately. (Cosponsored by the INPIT and Osaka Institute of Technology (one time))

6. Other activities

Nothing in particular

1. International exchange and sharing of patent information in machine-readable form, e.g., priority documents, bibliographic data, abstracts, search reports, full text information

a)      The Five IP Offices (IP5) data exchange and bilateral data exchange

The JPO periodically provides the Five IP Offices (IP5) with bibliographic data of patent/utility model gazettes, concordance data of patent document numbers, PAJ data, F-term inventories, PMGS data, and IPC files. In addition, JPO exchanges data between IP Offices other than the IP5.

b)      Trilateral exchange of DNA sequence data

The JPO has sent the DNA sequence data, about 1,400 in 2022, published in the publications of patent applications, etc. to the National Institute of Genetics, an intermediary for the trilateral data exchange.

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 online.

2. Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to patent information

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 ).

3. Assistance to developing countries

a)      Activities/cooperation through voluntary contributions (Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT Japan IP Global)) for WIPO

a-1) Infrastructure building project for work sharing

The JPO supports functional improvement of WIPO-CASE, maintenance and function maintenance of a linkage between the WIPO-CASE and OPD as well as a linkage between the WIPO-CASE and the WIPO-IPAS.

a-2) Workshop on utilization of the WIPO-IPAS, etc.

The JPO supports the holding of a workshop aiming at promoting the spread and use of WIPO-IPAS. In this workshop, staff members of IP Offices in developing countries learn how to use WIPO-IPAS, acquire knowledge about the information that can be referred to in the system and how to utilize it, and lectures are given to deepen awareness of the importance and effectiveness of work-sharing in patent examination.

a-3) ASEAN Patentscope

The JPO supports development of "ASEAN Patentscope", which is an online platform to access patent information of ASEAN countries, and the system was released in FY 2017. In FY 2018, Lao PDR newly became an information providing office, and all Patent information from 9 countries except Myanmar can be referred to collectively. Furthermore, the JPO supported the migration of this system to cloud infrastructure in FY2020 and the development of the data quality manual in FY2022.

a-4) Digitization support

In FY2022, the full text conversion project was implemented in Egypt, Philippines, and Argentina. In addition, the digitalization project was implemented in Malawi, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and OAPI (Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle), and the data validation and other projects were implemented in Eswatini, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and OAPI.

b) Training for IT human resource development

In FY2022, the JPO conducted an online training program to develop human resources for efficient construction and utilization of IT infrastructure in IP offices, and 13 IT personnel from IP offices in developing countries completed the program.

4. Other activities

Nothing in particular