Announcement from Japan Patent Office

We have received notification from the Japan Patent Attorneys Association that an extension of term has been granted by the Japan Patent Office for those applicants or their agents who are, due to the earthquake, unable to follow any necessary procedures relating to applications or appeal trials concerning patents, utility models, designs or trade marks.

The applicants and their agents who are unable to follow the procedures by the predetermined due date are allowed to do so after they have resumed their normal business.

Term Extension

If applicants or their agents suffer damage from the earthquake, so that they are unable to follow a procedure by the predetermined due date, the procedure can be undertaken until 31st August, 2011.

If applicants or their agents do not suffer damage from the earthquake directly, but are unable to follow a procedure by the predetermined due date because they are unable to do their business regarding the procedure due to an unexpected reason caused by the earthquake, the procedure is allowed to undertake within fourteen days after they have resumed business, provided that this extension shall not exceed 31st August, 2011. 

Report of Reason

It should be noted that a person seeking the term extension mentioned above shall explain a reason why the applicant or their agent was unable to follow a procedure by the predetermined due date in a document for the procedure undertaken.

For full details of the special circumstances, please visit the Japan Patent Office’s website http://www.jpo.go.jp/rireki_e/index.htm or consult your Japanese associates.