Annual Technical Report on Industrial Design Information Activities in 2014 submitted by JAPAN
Where URLs are requested below, it is preferred that either URLs which are likely to remain stable over time (three years or more) are provided, or home (main) page URLs are provided with a short explanation of how to access the corresponding information.
The expression "industrial designs" covers industrial designs and models.
Offices which issue design patents should report their design patent information activities in this series of Annual Technical Reports.
1. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
(1) Outline of main policies and plans aimed at development of industrial design information activities and expected time frames for their realization
In February 2014, at the Intellectual Property Committee, Industrial Structure Council, the following actions were proposed as subjects for which specific measures should be taken regarding patent information activities.
- Realization of the world’s utmost quality service to provide information on intellectual property rights
The JPO will renovate the Industrial Property Digital Library (IPDL) to convert it into a new information infrastructure aimed at providing the world’s utmost quality service better than similar services provided by the WIPO or the OHIM keeping in mind the share of roles between the private and public sectors. Specifically, the JPO will undertake the following initiatives.
(i) Enhancing the service to provide bulk information on intellectual property rights
The JPO will efficiently provide bulk information owned by it via the Internet from the viewpoint of creating a better environment where this service is provided by private information providers. Moreover, the JPO will positively make its own data available unless there is any specific problem.
(ii) Realizing a new Internet search/inquiry service
The government has the responsibility for providing the wide general public including business operators and universities with information in a prompt manner. A new Internet search/inquiry service provides basic information on national and international intellectual property rights which is publicized in gazettes, etc. together with other standard functions taking into account the status of information provision of other Offices, in order to promote the dissemination of information to individuals and SMEs that have any difficulty in accessing such information particularly in terms of costs.
In addition, the JPO will strive to speed up information provision and improve user interface based on the function of linking different services in the process of realizing this service.
(2) New projects launched or resumed this year in the context of the policies(plans) mentioned above, short description: aims, partners, tasks
In order to achieve 1.(1) “Realization of the world’s utmost quality service to provide information on intellectual property rights,” the JPO renovated the “Industrial Property Digital Library (IPDL)” that had provided industrial property right information via the Internet without any charges since March 1999 and started providing the “Japan Platform for Patent Information (J-PlatPat)” in March 2015, a new service to provide industrial property right information, to meet advancing and diversifying user needs. The J-PlatPat has user-friendly interface and provides industrial property right information search/retrieve services. In addition, it enables commercial providers in Japan to download the JPO-owned data in bulk. For more information about this, see 3.(4)(a-2).
(3) Main areas of industrial design information activities and related information and communication technology (ICT) practices which were in the focus of attention last year
On the Japan Platform for Patent Information (J-PlatPat, former IPDL), (1) the operation of Design Classification search (English edition) service was started in March 2013. In addition, (2) the link provision of Japanese Design Classification table (English edition) to the JPO’s HP was started in April 2014.
https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/web/all/top/BTmTopEnglishPage
In August 2015, the JPO launched the “Foreign Patent Information Service (FOPISER)” to expeditiously provide the general users with design information obtained from foreign IP Offices by data exchange between foreign IP Offices. For more information, see 3.(4)(a-3)
(4) Statistics: changes in terms of application filings and grants (registrations) with respect to previous year; trends or areas experiencing rapid changes
In 2014, the number of applications was 29,738 (down 4.5% compared to the previous year) and the number of registrations was 27,306 (down 3.5% compared to the previous year).
In 2014, the number of design applications in the following fields has significantly increased compared to the previous year.
D5 Kitchen Equipment and Sanitaries (up 35.3% compared to the previous year)
J7 Medical Machinery, Instruments and Supplies(up 6.8% compared to the previous year)
On the other hand, in 2014, the number of design applications in the following fields recorded significant declines from the previous year.
H7 Electronical Information Input/Output Equipment (down 13.2% compared to the previous year)
D3 Flashing and Lighting Equipment(down 19.0% compared to the previous year)
*The number of applications is extracted based on the main class classification of the Japanese Design Classification.
(5) Other matters and useful links (URLs): annual report of the Office, news page, statistics, etc.
(Annual Report in Japanese) http://www.jpo.go.jp/shiryou/toukei/gyosenenji/index.html
(Annual Report in English)https://www.jpo.go.jp/english/reference_room/annual/index.html
(Status Report in Japanese and English)http://www.jpo.go.jp/english/reference_room/statusreport/index.html
2. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
(1) Information and support provided by the Office 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 Department on the second floor of the JPO office building. Moreover, the on-line consultation service on frequently asked questions is available on a 24-hour basis at http://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, 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 at: http://www.inpit.go.jp/pcinfo/index.html.
(2) Availability of the application dossier in electronic form
a) 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.
(3) Classification and reclassification activities; classification system used, e.g., International Classification for Industrial Designs (Locarno Classification), other classification
In January 2005, the JPO started using the revised Japanese Design Classification in order to cope with the new conception of articles etc. such as the information and communication devices. The revised Japanese Design Classification mainly uses the concept of the usage in the same way as the former Japanese Design Classification, which is comprised of a 3-stage classification; group, main class, and minor class, and consists of about 3,200 classification branches in total.
Also, the JPO provides about 1,800 branches of D-terms, which are search keys to further subdivide the Japanese Design Classification mainly based on the forms of articles.
In addition, in April 2007, the JPO started using the revised Japanese Design Classification that was amended again in order to cope with design protection of graphic image designs. After this amendment another classification stage for graphic image design was added below the aforementioned minor class.
In 2014, the JPO assigned the Japanese Design Classification and D-terms to 29,738 filed applications and about 280,000 cases of examination materials collected from foreign design gazettes, magazines, catalogues, Internet, etc.
In addition, the following information is provided.
a) A Cross-reference table between the Locarno Classification and the Japanese Design Classification (a concordance data)
For effective usage of the Japanese Design Gazettes as examination materials in foreign countries, the JPO established a cross-reference table between the Locarno Classification and the Japanese Design Classification (a concordance data). The JPO lists the Locarno International Classification in the gazettes in addition to the Japanese Design Classification.
b) The English translation of the Japanese Design Classification
The JPO has prepared an English version of the revised Japanese Design Classification in 2005, which has been posted on the JPO website since October 2006.
(4) Other activities
Nothing in particular
3. SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE
(1) Main types of publications in the field of industrial design information, outline of the content (industrial design applications, design patents, registrations, etc.) and medium (on paper, on CDs, online - URLs)
1) Main types and media of publications
The Japan Patent Office (hereinafter referred to as the “JPO”) publish the following design documents in 2015:
- Published Registered Design Applications: Internet
- Decision on Appeal/Trial in Design: Internet
The following is the URL of the Published Registered Design Applications provided through the Internet.URL: https://www.publication.jpo.go.jp/ik_pub/index.action?lang=en_US
The JPO provides in Published Registered Design Applications information on reference designs which were referred to by the examiner in the examination process of each registered design.
2) Outline of published gazettes
The JPO has started to receive online design applications (electronic applications) since January 2000. The JPO electronically edits the collected data acquired from electronic applications or the electronic conversions of paper-based applications and compiles them and publishes the Design Gazette.
a) Published Registered Design Applications
The JPO issued the Published Registered Design Applications in the form of CD-ROMs between January 2000 and December 2006. Starting from January 2007, they have been issued weekly on the website “Official Publication via the Internet”, thereby making it possible to download the publication free of charge at any time, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
A single volume of the Published Registered Design Applications contains about 550 issues and it was issued 50 times in 2014.
The Published Registered Design Applications enables a search using 13 keys as search keys, including registration number, indication of articles (goods), Japanese Design Classification and D-term. The Published Registered Design Applications contains a mixed-mode type data, composed of text data and image data, thus text search using text data is available.
The JPO has been providing viewer software free of charge for viewing the Published Registered Design Applications. The software is also operable on Windows English version so that it can be used in overseas Patent Offices.
(2) Official Gazettes: main types of announcements, frequency of publication, medium (on paper, on CDs, online - URL), etc.
Nothing in particular
(3) Information products (coverage, medium, etc.) available to examiners, including external documentation and databases
The external database is not used.
(4) Information products (coverage, medium, etc.) and services available to external users; conditions of access (e.g., free of charge, subscription, etc.)
a) Providing industrial property (IP) rights information via the Internet
a-1) Providing official gazettes via the Internet
Refer to 3.(1)
a-2) Japan Platform for Patent Information(J-PlatPat)
The JPO has been providing the Industrial Property Digital Library (IPDL) service since March 1999. This service is accessible through the Internet and covers 98 million items of IP information by using document numbers and classifications as search keys. This service was transferred to the National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training (the “INPIT”) as of October 2004, and has been operated there since.
In order to meet advancing and diversifying user needs for industrial property right information, the JPO renovated the “Industrial Property Digital Library (IPDL)” and started providing the “Japan Platform for Patent Information (J-PlatPat)” in March 2015, a new service to provide industrial property right information via user-friendly interface. The J-PlatPat currently stores about 100.3 million cases of industrial property right information.
(Japanese) https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/web/all/top/BTmTopPage
(English) https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/web/all/top/BTmTopEnglishPage
The main services relating to design information that the INPIT provides are as follows:
(１) Simplified Search（design）
This search method is for beginners who are not familiar with IP information. Simplified search input box located on the top page of the J-PlatPat, a common user interface for four IP types, can be used to search by using key words.
Designs can be searched by using key words such as “article to which the design is applied,” “explanation of the article to which the design is applied,” “description of the design,” and “applicant / owner of a design right /creator.”
(2) Design Gazette database inspection
Deign Gazette published in and after 1889 can be inspected by using document number. The English version has also been provided since March 2004. The downloading and printing of each document from the publications was made possible in May 2011.
(3) Index inspection of design documents by document numbers
Various kinds of Design Gazettes published since 1964 can be inspected by using various kinds of numbers.
The downloading and printing of each document from the publications was made possible in May 2011.
(4) Searching of Design Gazettes by text search
A general search, entering classifications under the International Classification for Industrial Designs, or entering document numbers, enables access to design gazettes and publications of disagreed consultation on design applications published in 2000 and thereafter. Search-result thumbnails as well as the downloading and printing of each document from the publications were made possible in May 2011.
(5) Japanese Design Classification and D-term search
Applying set operations using the Japanese Design Classification and D-terms enables searches for design gazettes and access to these documents.
Search-result thumbnails as well as the downloading and printing of each document from the publications were made possible in May 2011.
(6) Design Gazette classification search (displayed in English)
Design Gazette published in and after January 2000 can be inspected by using the Japanese Design Classification, D term and Locarno Classification.
(7) Inspection of publicly known data on design
Bibliographic data of publicly known designs and foreign design gazettes can be inspected by entering publicly known document numbers. From the image data of publicly known designs, those which the owner of the copyright has given the consent to disclosure have become available. Since March 2010, U.S. design gazettes and Korean design gazettes have become accessible.
(8) Publicly known data on design text retrieval
It has been made possible to refer to bibliographic data of public known designs and foreign design gazettes by key word and Japanese design classification. The scope of searchable documents is same as (5) above. Search-result thumbnails were made available in May 2011.
(9) Classification Lists
The Japanese Design Classification, the D-term lists and the Locarno-Japan Design Classification Cross-Reference Table, etc. are available as references.
In January 2005, the revised Japanese Design Classification and D-term list became available. The Locarno and the Japanese Design Classification Cross-Reference Table and the Korean and the Japanese Design Classification Cross-Reference Table became available in September 2005. The U.S. Design Classification and the Japanese Design Classification Cross-Reference Table became available in December 2006.
In addition, information on “screen designs” that corresponds with the Japanese Design Classification (put into force on April 1, 2007) was added to the “(current) Japanese Design Classification/D terms” in October 2007. Moreover, the “design gazette classification search (displayed in English),” an English design gazette search service based on the Japanese design classification and Locarno Classification, was added in March 2013.
Moreover, the published appeal and trial decisions from 1940 onwards, and as related information, the legal status information (for applications filed from 1990 onwards) on applications, registrations and appeal and trial decisions can be referenced.
a-3) Foreign Patent Information Service (FOPISER)
In August 2015, the JPO launched the “Foreign Patent Information Service (FOPISER)” to expeditiously provide the general users with design information obtained from foreign IP Offices through data exchange with foreign IP Offices. Design Gazettes of Russia, Taiwan and Australia are available for retrieval of document numbers using a Japanese user interface.
b) Providing JPO data
In March 1999, the JPO began providing the bibliographical and status information of the JPO to external users by organizing and converting it into a standard format with better usability. Furthermore, the service was transferred to the INPIT in October 2004, and the service is currently being provided to the external users once every week. Bibliographic data of publicly known design materials and foreign design gazettes has been available since April 2005.
c) Reference to design gazettes, etc
INPIT has 42 access devices which is available in the Public gazettes reading room on the second floor of the JPO office building. This allows free public access to the IPDL Service, gazettes on CD-ROM/DVD-ROM, 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 inside and outside of Japan and making them available to the public.
(5) Legal status information (kind of information, coverage, medium, etc.)
Legal status information of applications filed in January 1990 onwards can be searched on the Japan Platform for Patent Information (J-PlatPat) by using the document number such as filing number, publication number and registration number. In addition, applications filed in 1989 and before can be searched if any data (e.g. publication of Gazettes, registration to establishment rights, requests for trials/appeals) was renewed in April 1998 onwards.
However, this service is available only on the Japanese J-PlatPat.
(6) Other sources
Nothing in particular
4. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
(1) Specific software tools supporting business procedures within the Office: general description, characteristics, advantages, possible improvements
In January 2000, a paperless system for design was launched and the administrative and examination procedures were completely moved to a system based on electronic data. Therefore, a total system, covering every procedure from design application filing, formality check and substantive examination, dispatching, registration, publishing the gazette, requesting inspection of files, to requesting certification, was realized. The effect of this system is far reaching, such as more efficient drafting based on the close link between the administrative system and the design search system, more efficient examination by implementation of electronic approval, faster design gazette publication and the separate management of each application.
With the realization of the above system, the JPO started receiving online applications for designs. Since the introduction of the system, the online filing rate has been consistently high reaching 93.2% in 2014. The JPO’s system is a comprehensive system and the data processing and search system of designs are a part of this comprehensive system. Therefore for more information on the overall system please refer to the “Annual Technical Report on Patent Information Activities.”
(2) Hardware used to supporting business processes of the Office
Please refer to “Annual Technical Report on Patent Information Activities.”
(3) Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources
a) Design search system
This is a client server-type online system for retrieving application documentary materials and publicly known documentary materials (including foreign design gazettes) by using the Japanese Design Classification and D-terms (search keys that subdivide the Japanese Design Classification), indication of articles (goods), applicant identifying numbers, etc. as search keys. The image data of the document retrieved is sent from the image file server and displayed (color image data is displayed in color) onto the screen of a terminal, for enabling high-speed screening. For an efficient document search, a function is provided to display the design classifications and applicant identifying numbers etc. by the frequency of them coming up as cited references based on past examination results.
In March 2007, search functions were strengthened and reference functions were improved along with the renewal of the search server. In addition, the screen design was made more convenient through a thorough review of the user interface.
As bibliographic data of filed applications for searches, application numbers, filing date, registration numbers, registration date, indication of articles (goods), Japanese Design Classification, D-terms, the International Classification of Industrial Design (Locarno Classification) and others are used. As bibliographic data of other documents for searches, disclosure dates, acceptance dates, publishing date, indication of articles (goods), Japanese design classifications, D-terms and others are used. The data is stored in a database according to the type of materials.
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.
(4) Establishment and maintenance of electronic search file: file building, updating, storage, documents from other offices included in the search file
a) File building
The JPO has stored in search files the following: designs presented in magazines published in Japan and abroad, in catalogs, on home pages on the internet and elsewhere; image data (including color image data) and bibliographic data (including the Japanese Design Classification and D-term) of foreign design gazettes. These are used as the base data for the JPO’s design examination.
On January 1, 2000, the JPO started accepting design registration applications on-line. Accordingly, information on designs of which the registration has been applied for is automatically put into the search files. By the end of 2014, the search files accumulated the image and bibliographic data of about 2.45 million applications and about 5.90 million publicly-known designs.
b) Updating
In 2014, the image data and bibliographic data for 29,738 applications and approximately 220,000 examination materials for the publicly known design were added.
c) Storage, including mass storage media
The image data is stored on RAID and the bibliographic data on a database.
d) Documentation from other offices maintained and/or considered part of the available search file
The bibliographic data and image data of design gazettes published by the KIPO, OHIM, the SIPO the USPTO, and WIPO are stored and those data can be searched by using the Japanese Design Classification and D-Terms.
(5) Administrative management electronic systems (register, legal status, statistics, and administrative support)
Refer to 4.(1).
(6) Other matters
Nothing in particular
5. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AIMED TO SUPPORT USERS IN ACCESS AND EFFICIENT USE OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION
(1) Office's library (if deals with industrial design information): equipment, collection management, network of libraries in the country, cooperation with foreign 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:
- Users:
- JPO staff and general users
- Open:
- 9:30 to 18:00
a-2) Collection of materials
The followings 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.
a-3) Preservation method 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.
b) Interlibrary lending
Interlibrary lending of books etc. has been conducted among the National Diet Library and the branch libraries of each ministry and government offices.
Furthermore, the JPO is participating in the “Distributed Type Comprehensive Data System” which permits a batch data retrieval from the database of the books held by all the branch libraries by using the Kasumigaseki WAN (an inter ministry wide area network linking the LANs of each ministry and government offices (in-house Local Area Network)), which was constructed by the National Diet Library.
(2) Publications related to different business procedures and industrial design information sources available to users, for example, books, brochures, Internet publications, etc.
a. Japan Platform for Patent Information (J-PlatPat)
The INPIT compiles an instruction manual for how to operate and utilize various search services provided by the J-PlatPat.
URL http://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.”
Refer to 3.(4) for information products available to external users.
(3) Cooperation with universities, technology and innovation support centers, etc.
Nothing in particular
(4) Education and training: training courses, e learning modules (URLs), seminars, exhibitions, etc.
a) IPDL etc. training seminars
Training seminars of design search using Industrial Property Digital Library (IPDL) were held for beginners of industrial property right search from individuals and SMEs (8 times in 6 major cities nationwide in FY2014). The first sessions of the seminar were held on weekends in Osaka, respectively, and on weekdays in other cities. Furthermore, along with the launch of the “Japan Platform for Patent Information (J-PlatPat)” replacing the IPDL on March 23, 2015, workshops on the J-PlatPat were held (a total of 15 times in 9 major cities throughout Japan). IPDL and J-PlatPat have been managed at the National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training (INPIT) since October 2004 (Trainings have been held since FY2006).
b) Search expert training seminars
The INPIT held the following trainings.
・Search Experts Training (Industrial Design)
This seminar is intended for those who have sufficient knowledge in the Design Act while aiming at cultivating human resources capable of effectively protecting product designs by industrial design rights, and properly capturing scopes of rights after acquisition of rights by further improving the ability to conduct a design search and a prior design search (once a year).
(5) Other activities
Nothing in particular
6. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN INFORMATION
(1) International exchange of industrial design information in machine-readable form (e.g., Official Gazettes)
a) Sending Official Gazette on DVD-ROM to overseas
The JPO discontinued sending official gazettes on DVD-ROM overseas in March 2015.
In 2014, the JPO exchanged official gazettes, etc. with 59 organizations (including international organizations) in 54 nations, out of which it sent information on CD-ROM Published Registered Design Applications to 23 organizations.
(2) Participation in international or regional activities and projects related to industrial design information
Nothing in particular
(3) Assistance to developing countries
a) Activities/cooperation through voluntary contributions (Funds-in-Trust) for WIPO
(1) Training for government officials
A 2-week training related to computerization was provided in Japan under the cooperation with the WIPO. The JPO invited trainees from 21 countries.
http://www.training-jpo.go.jp/en/index.php/2852
(2) Capacity building for effective innovation support services with a focus on access to and utilization of technical database.
A regional seminar was held in Malaysia in December 2014 to provide ASEAN countries with a place to discuss a roadmap for implementation of innovation support services. In March 2015, a training seminar was held in Mongolia by the Technology & Innovation Support Center (TISC).
(3) Data capture project at the IPO Nigeria (in progress)
Design (Patent and trademark)-related bibliographic items are being data-captured at the IPO Nigeria.
(4) Digitization project at the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (in progress)
IP-related files are being digitized at the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office to simplify the procedures for granting industrial property rights as well as to achieve efficient IP administration.
(5) Digitization project at the Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI) (in progress)
Design (Patent and trademark)-related documents are being digitized at the OAPI to ease the burden of procedures for data entry of documents including applications as well as to improve its performance.
(6) Deployment of the IPAS Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) in selected Member States of ARIPO using the IPAS
The EDMS has been installed in four African countries with the aim of providing on-line services in the future, building up skills for the establishment of logical infrastructure for preserving and managing scanned images, capture & digitization of front pages, and developing capabilities of utilizing IPAS to provide on-line services.
b) Cooperation using other organizations for developing countries
Sending experts
As of March 2015, the JPO sends one long-term expert to the Indonesia Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) and the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam (NOIP), respectively, under the JICA scheme.
For further information, visit the following JPO’s website.
http://www.jpo.go.jp/torikumi_e/kokusai_e/ipcoop_asia-pacific_e13.htm
(4) Other activities
Nothing in particular
7. OTHER RELATED MATTERS
- The expression “industrial designs” covers industrial designs and models.
- Offices which issue design patents should report their design patent information activities in this series of Annual Technical Reports.