Brief introduction of Japanese patent system

Japanese patents include inventions (called patents), utility models and designs. Japanese invention patent refers to the technical scheme of a new method to improve the technical structure, method, process flow or process parameters of a product. The term of validity of the invention patent is 20 years from the date of application, and the term of validity of the invention patent for drugs and pesticides may be extended, but the longest term shall not exceed 5 years. Japanese utility model is a new technical scheme suitable for practical use by improving the shape, structure or technical characteristics of products. There is no substantive examination of the patent for utility model, and it can be granted 6 months after the date of application, and the validity period is 10 year from the date of application. If they are all product technologies, the applicant can choose to apply for invention patents or utility model patents. Japanese design patent is a new design with aesthetic feeling and suitable for industrial application, which refers to the shape, pattern or their combination of products and the combination of color with shape and pattern. Design patent from the date of registration 15 years. The accepted application language is only Japanese.