Before 1 July 19951day, the term of Japanese patents was "from the date of examination and publication 15 years, but not more than 20 years from the date of filing". 1 July 9951,changed to "20 years from the date of application". This also applies to all patents that came into effect on July 1995.
Before 1994, the term of Japanese utility model was "10 years from the date of examination and publication, but not more than 15 years from the date of application". 1994, and the time limit is reduced to six years from the date of application. However, on April 1 day, 2005, the Japanese utility model law was revised, and the term of utility model was extended from the filing date to 10 year. The new validity period 10 is applicable to all utility models submitted on or after April 1 2005.