Annual Technical Report on Patent Information Activities in 2015 submitted by JAPAN
I. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN PATENT INFORMATION ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
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 plans.
a) Plan for Optimization of Operations and Systems of the JPO (revised in March 2013)
The following actions are proposed about improvement of the search environment and external provision of information.
(i) Improvement of translation and search environment of patent documents in Chinese and Korean
(ii) Use of machine translation in order to meet needs for/search foreign documents
(iii) Unification of document database for searching in order to provide both users and examiners with appropriate and rich information
(iv) External provision of information relevant to examination and appeal/trial on design/trademark
b) Summary of the Intellectual Property Committee under Industrial Structure Council, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (February 2014)
The following actions were proposed as subjects for which specific measures should be taken.
(i) Realization of an environment where Chinese and Korean documents can be searched in Japanese
(ii) Realization of the world’s utmost quality service to provide information on intellectual property rights
(iii) Sharing of dossier information among the IP Offices and providing it for users
c) Intellectual Property Promotion Plan
The following actions are proposed as matters to be addressed in a short period also in the intellectual property promotion plan of the government.
(i) Dissemination of English translations of trial/appeal decisions made by the JPO examiners in foreign countries in order to improve/enhance the dissemination of information on those trial/appeal decisions to international users
(ii) Further consolidating the infrastructure such as making it possible to integrally provide information relevant to domestic and overseas application/examination on the Japan Platform for Patent Information (J-PlatPat) in order to reduce users’ burden for the access to patent information including overseas
New projects launched or resumed this year in the context of the policies and plans mentioned above, short description: aims, partners, tasks
Concerning the above a)(i) and b)(i), 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 in January 2015. For more information about this, see 3.(4)(a-3).
Concerning the above a)(ii), 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. For details, see 3.(4) (a-4.)
Concerning the above a)(iii), the JPO built the “common search system for patents and utility models” by unifying a database for storing documents which were able to be searched by examiners and a database for storing documents which were able to be searched by users on the cloud, and has also provided users with document searching function which is equivalent to that for examiners since February 2016.
Concerning the above b)(ii), the JPO renovated the “Industrial Property Digital Library (IPDL)” that had provided IP rights 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 IP rights information in order to meet advancing and diversifying user needs. The J-PlatPat has user-friendly interface and provides search/retrieve services for IP rights information. 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).
Concerning the above b)(iii) and c)(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）.
Concerning the above c)(i), the JPO implemented provision of manual English translations of trial/appeal decisions etc. (trial/appeal decisions, decisions on opposition, Hantei (advisory opinions on the scope of industrial property rights)) which are considered useful for understanding of legal interpretations and operations categorized by type, field or other attributes of the case. In addition, the Office began providing machine English translations of trial/appeal decisions published as gazettes on the J-PlatPat in January 2016.
Main areas of patent information activities and related information and communication technology (ICT) practices which were in the focus of attention last year
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.
Statistics: changes in terms of application filings and grants with respect to previous year; trends or areas experiencing rapid changes
(1) Patent
In 2015, the number of applications was 318,721 (down 2.2% from the previous year) and the number of registrations was 189,358 (down 16.6% from the previous year).
(2) Utility model
In 2015, the number of applications was 6,860 (down 3.3% from the previous year) and the number of registrations was 6,695 (down 4.6% from the previous year).
In 2014, the number of patent applications in the following technical fields has significantly increased compared to the previous year.
“ E06 DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS, IN GENERAL: LADDERS ” (up 19.6% from the previous year)
“B22 CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY” (up 15.3% from the previous year)
In 2014, the number of patent applications in the following technical fields recorded significant declines from the previous year.
“G11 Information storage” (down 21.5% from the previous year)
“F23 COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESS” (down 16.5% from the previous year)
Note: IPC classes with 500 or more applications in 2014 were examined.
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
(Status Report in Japanese and English)http://www.jpo.go.jp/english/reference_room/statusreport/index.html
II. SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PATENT INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
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 National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training (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, 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 at: http://www.jpo.go.jp/tetuzuki/pcinfo/outline/index.html.
Availability of the application dossier in electronic form
a) Search for Examination Document Information, One Portal Dossier
The Japan Platform for Patent 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.
In addition, it has become possible to integrally search for information concerning application/examination of the patent family (dossier information) of respective corresponding countries (Europe, Korea, China, USA, Canada, and WIPO) by specifying document numbers of the corresponding countries including JPO patent application numbers, since July 2016.
Both services are only available on the Japanese version of the J-PlatPat.
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.
Refer to 2.(1)b) for the software for electronic application.
Classification1, preclassification2 (if applicable), reclassification3 activities; classification systems used (e.g., International Patent Classification (IPC)); matters concerning indexing of patent information
In 2015, the number of applications that were assigned FI and IPC by the JPO was: about 280,000 when the application was laid open, about 190,000 when the Patent Gazette was issued, and about 7,000 when the registered utility model gazette was issued.
Further, the JPO sent their delegates to IPC-related WIPO meetings, along with participating in the activities for the revision of the IPC.
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
1) Production of English Abstracts of Publication of Unexamined Patent Application in Japan (PAJ)
Patent Abstract of Japan (PAJ) consists of an English abstract and a representative drawing of published unexamined patent applications, and is currently sent to 81 foreign patent offices and public institutions. In addition, the search service for the PAJ is provided on the English J-PlatPat site. The PAJ is also provided to commercial patent information providers in Japan for free via the J-PlatPat in the bulk download service.
2) Foreign patent documents
Refer to 5.(3).
Other activities
Nothing in particular.
III. SOURCES OF PATENT INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE
Main types of publications of the Office (patent applications, full text, first pages, abstracts, bibliographic data, granted patents, etc.), medium (on paper, on CDs, online - URLs)
The JPO published the following patent documents in 2015:
- Published Unexamined Patent Applications: Internet
- Published Japanese Translation of PCT International Publication for Patent Applications: Internet
- Published Registered Utility Model Applications: Internet
- Patent: Internet
- Decision on Appeal/Trial in Patent: Internet
The following is the URL of published gazettes provided through the Internet.
URL: https://www.publication.jpo.go.jp/ik_pub/index.action?lang=en_US
The Patent and Utility Model Gazettes contains mixed-mode type data, composed of text data and image data, thus text search using text data is also available.
Further, Published Unexamined Patent Applications enable a search using document numbers, IPC, etc..
Official Gazettes: main types of announcements, frequency of publication, medium (on paper, on CDs, online - URL), etc.
Nothing in particular
Information products and patent document collections (coverage, medium, etc.) available to examiners, including external collections and databases
a) Off-line
LiqCryst, Code V
b) External databases
Nature.com, JDream III, STN, Science Direct, IEEE Xplore, Thomson Innovation, ACM/DL, Phama Business,INTERGLAD, Science, ProQuest, Scopus, NIKKEI Telecom, Scitation, I-Chu-Shi WEB, APS Journals, SpringerLink, JJAP, Colour Index, Chemical Documents Library, CiNii, ACS Publications, GeneCards, Medical On-line, Wiley On-line Library, Annual Review, Oxford Journals, Technical Disclosure Web, OSA Publishing, Merck Index, J-STAGE, RSC Publishing, Electrochemical Society (ECS Digital Library), AACR Publications, SPIE Digital Library, Mintel GNPD, Japio-GPG/FX.
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 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 started to provide the Industrial Property Digital Library (IPDL) service through the Internet in March 1999. This service has enabled users to search IP rights 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 IP rights 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 IP rights information via user-friendly interface. The J-PlatPat currently stores about 110 million cases of IP rights 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 patent and utility model information related services provided on the J-PlatPat are as follows;
(i) Simplified Search (patent, utility model, industrial design and trademark)
(ii) Patent/utility model number search
(iii) Patent and utility model text search
(iv) Patent and utility model classification searches
(v) Patent map guidance
A list of reference is available for IPC, FI, F-term descriptions and F-terms.
(vi) Patent Abstracts of Japan (PAJ) Search
(vii) Foreign gazette DB
Various patent and utility model gazettes of Europe, the US, China, South Korea, the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland and Canada can be inquired by document numbers.
(viii) Search for Examination (Dossier) information
Refer to 2.(2)a)
(ix) One Portal Dossier
Refer to 2. (2)a)
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 June 2016, about 15 million Chinese and Korean patent/utility model documents are stored at the system.
a-4) Foreign Patent Information Service (FOPISER)
In August 2015, the JPO launched the “Foreign Patent Information Service (FOPISER)” a search service to expeditiously 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 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.
b) Providing JPO data
The following types of data are currently provided to commercial providers in Japan by bulk download service on the J-PlatPat.
b-1) Standardized data
Since March 1999, the JPO began providing the JPO’s bibliographical and status information to external users by organizing and converting it into a standard format (Standardized data) for better usability for external users. This service was managed by the INPIT, and has been provided to external users on a weekly basis.
b-2) Patent Abstracts of Japan (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) Japanese abstracts of Chinese patent data
Japanese abstracts of Chinese Published Unexamined Patent Applications published from 2010 onwards translated by the human.
b-5) Chinese patent data with FI and F-terms
Chinese Published Unexamined Patent Applications published from 2011 onwards in some technical fields with Japanese classifications (FI and F-terms) assigned to them.
b-6) Machine-translated text data of Chinese/Korean documents
Machine-translated full-text data of Chinese and Korean patent documents provided on the “Chinese and Korean Gazette Translation and Search System.” 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 machine translation.
c) Reference to Official Gazettes on Patent
INPIT has 42 access devices, including those capable of conducting advanced searches, which is available in the Public 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.
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 the Patent Licensing Information Database.
The number of licensable patents registered in the Patent Licensing Information Database is estimated to be approximately 32,670 patents as of the end of March 2016.
http://plidb.inpit.go.jp/PDDB/Service/PDDBService
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 document numbers such as application numbers, publication numbers and registration numbers. In addition, applications filed in 1989 and before can be searched if any data (e.g. publication of Gazettes, requests for examination, registration for establishment of rights, requests for trials/appeals) was renewed in April 1998 onwards.
Other sources
Nothing in particular
IV. ICT SUPPORT TO SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PATENT INFORMATION CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE
Specific software tools supporting business procedures within the Office: general description, characteristics, advantages, possible improvements
The JPO has been using an electronic application, 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 2015, the ratios of on-line electronic filing was 98.4% for patent and utility model, 99.4% for appeals, 99.9% for the national procedures of a PCT internal application, and 96.9% for PCT international application.
Hardware used to supporting business processes of the Office
Servers, network devices, PCs for business use etc.
Internal databases: coverage, updates, interlinks with external sources
a) Patent and Utility Model Search System (F-term 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 (clustered) 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). 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.
b) Patent and Utility Model Search System (Full-text search system)
A full text search function in Japanese and English has been actualized by using text data of domestic (patent publications) and (those of) foreign patent publications accumulated by adopting a paperless system.
c) 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.
d) 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.
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, SIPO and KIPO, as well as the image data of major European countries are stored, and searches of CPC, IPC, etc. are possible.
Administrative management electronic systems (register, legal status, statistics, and administrative support)
Refer to 4.(1).
Other matters
Nothing in particular
V. PROMOTION ACTIVITIES AIMED TO SUPPORT USERS IN ACCESS AND EFFICIENT USE OF PATENT INFORMATION
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 18:00
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 2015, the library contains 38,400 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.
Publications related to different business procedures and patent information sources available to users, for example, books, brochures, Internet publications, etc.
a. Japan Platform for Patent Information (J-PlatPat)
The National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training (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.”
URL http://www.pcinfo.jpo.go.jp/site/
Refer to 3.(4) for information products available to external users.
Office's initiatives on providing foreign patent information in the local language(s) (e.g., machine translation tools, translation of abstracts)
The JPO prepares data of the Japanese abstracts of US patent descriptions, U.S. patent descriptions of unexamined patent applications, European descriptions of unexamined patent applications and the Chinese publication of unexamined patent applications. The data can be searched and displayed on the J-PlatPat.
The Japanese abstracts data on U.S. patent descriptions, U.S. patent descriptions of unexamined patent applications, and European descriptions of unexamined patent applications has been prepared by the National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training (the “INPIT”) since October 2004.
In addition, the JPO launched the Chinese and Korean Gazette Translation and Search System which enables user to search machine translated full-text data of Chinese and Korean patent/utility model documents by using Japanese text in January 2015.
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 a search.
Furthermore, Foreign Patent Information Service (FOPISER) which was released in August 2015 allows users to search patent/utility model documents of Russia, Taiwan, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand in Japanese through machine translation.
Cooperation with universities, research centers, technology and innovation support centers, etc.
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 IPDL Official Gazette Fixed-address Service since 2007 which allows users such as universities to directly access data contained in Gazettes on the IPDL with the aim of supporting R&D by universities.
This service is also made available at the “Japan Platform for Patent Information (J-PlatPat)” that has been provided since March 2015.
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.
Education and training: training courses, e-learning modules (URLs), seminars, exhibitions, etc.
a) J-PlatPat etc. training seminars
The National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training (INPIT) held training seminars of Japan Platform for Patent Information（J-PlatPat）for beginners of industrial property right search from individuals and SMEs (16 times in 11 major cities nationwide in FY2015. The organization also held information sessions of the J-PlatPat by request from universities and enterprises (41 times in FY 2015).
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 a year).
- Search Expert Training (advanced level)
This seminar targets persons who have sufficient knowledge in the Patent Act and aims to develop experts who contribute to the rationalization of filing applications and making requests for examination by further improving their capabilities of conducting prior art searches (four times a year).
- Patent Search Practice Training
This seminar aims to develop human resources who can determine patentability based on the Examination Guidelines for Patents, which is required before a patent application is filed and after a patent has been acquired and a right is utilized, and accurately conduct patent searches in an efficient manner (once a year).
Other activities
Nothing in particular
VI. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF PATENT INFORMATION
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, Patent Abstracts of Japan (PAJ) data, F-term inventories, PMGS data, and IPC files. In addition, JPO exchanges data between IP Offices other than the Five IP Offices (IP5). The JPO newly started exchanges of patent information with Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand in 2015.
b) Trilateral exchange of DNA sequence data
The JPO has sent the DNA sequence data published in the publications of patent applications, etc. (about 4,000 data in 2015) 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.
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 Five IP Offices (IP5 Offices)(the EPO, the JPO, the KIPO, the SIPO, and the USPTO) . 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 JPO-OPD and the WIPO-CASE, a dossier access system developed by the WIPO, to enable WIPO-CASE participating offices to refer to JPO’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 dossier information at the J-PlatPat from July 2016.
b) PI Policies
At the Heads Meeting of IP5 Offices (EPO, JPO, KIPO, SIPO 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.
Addition to kinds of the data to be exchanged was approved in June 2016 by the revision of the action plan.
c) Authority File
The authority file is a list of publication numbers and dates of publication of Gazettes issued by each patent office of the IP5.
External publication of the authority file was approved at the Heads Meeting of IP5 Offices held in the Republic of Korea on June, 6, 2014. The IP5 Offices have been holding discussions for unifying its format.
Assistance to developing countries
a) Activities/cooperation through voluntary contributions (Funds-in-Trust) for WIPO
(1) Infrastructure building project for work sharing
This is a project to implement a linkage between the OPD and the WIPO-CASE which was conducted from 2013 to 2014. See 6.(2) a).
(2) Workshops on how to utilize the WIPO-CASE, etc.
These workshops provide opportunities to learn how to use WIPO-CASE, what kind of information is available with it, and how to utilize the referred information in substantive examination as well as deepening understanding of importance and effectiveness of work-sharing in substantive patent examination. With the aim at facilitating its dissemination/utilization, the JPO delivered lecturers at the workshops in April 2015, May 2015, March 2016 and April 2016. The lecturer suggested the significance of work sharing in substantive patent examination as well as how to read documents of prosecution in substantive examination phase.
Participants in the lectures strongly supported the effectiveness of retrieving dossier information of multiple offices at a single portal site.
(3) Training for government officials
A 2-week training related to computerization was provided in Japan in October 2015 under the cooperation with the WIPO. Trainees from 18 IP offices were invited.
http://www.training-jpo.go.jp/en/index.php/2963
(4) 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).
(5) Seminar on dissemination and effective utilization of patent information
A lecture on the JPO’s action for dissemination and effective utilization of patent information was delivered for IP office officials of ASEAN countries and the like for the purpose of promoting dissemination and effective utilization of patent information.
(6) Data capture, digitization support, workshop etc. at IP offices of African countries/regions
Projects about data capture were conducted in Nigeria and Botswana. Also, in Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Kenya as well as the Organisation Africaine de la Propriete Intellectuelle (OAPI) and the African Regional Intellectual Property organization (ARIPO) projects of digitizing domestic and foreign fillings to make it possible to manage them were conducted. Further, in Namibia and others, workshops for discussing management method using the IPAS were held. In Zimbabwe, workshops for activation, collation and exchange of IP information were held. Furthermore, in Ghana and Burkina Faso, seminars etc. on capacity building for effective access to technology databases were held.
b) Cooperation using other organizations for developing countries
Training for government officials
The JPO offered a training program targeting patent examiners from developing countries, mainly those in the Asia-Pacific region, to improve their examination skills. The program covered examination practices and focused on how to make use of patent information.
*For further information, visit the following JPO’s website.
http://www.jpo.go.jp/torikumi_e/kokusai_e/ipcoop_asia-pacific_e13.htm
Other activities
Nothing in particular
VII. OTHER RELATED MATTERS
1.Classification is allotting one or more classification symbols (e.g., IPC symbols) to a patent application, either before or during search and examination, which symbols are then published with the patent application.
2. Preclassification is allotting an initial broad classification symbol (e.g., IPC class or subclass, or administrative unit) to a patent application, using human or automated means for internal administrative purposes (e.g., routing an application to the appropriate examiner). Usually preclassification is applied by the administration of an office.
3. Reclassification is the reconsideration and usually the replacement of one or more previously allotted classification symbols to a patent document, following a revision and the entry into force of a new version of the Classification system (e.g., the IPC). The new symbols are available on patent databases.