We are a boutique IP firm located in Osaka, Japan, specializing in trademark, design, specific unfair competition and copyright matters.

Amendments to Japanese IP laws adopted by the Cabinet on March 11, 2014

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry submitted a proposal for amendments to Patent Act, Design Act and Trademark Act that were adopted by the Cabinet on March 11, 2014.  The Amendment will then be submitted to the ordinary session of the Diet before entering into force.

The amendments aim to develop IP protection system that is internationally-harmonized as well as user-friendly for small and medium-sized enterprises to support local economy and employment.

The most significant amendments are:

(1)  Patent Act:

-      Improvement of relief measures (for Utility Model Act, Design Act and Trademark Act as well)

-      Reintroduction of opposition system

(2)  Design Act:

-      Legislative preparations to accede Geneva Act of Hague Agreement

(3)  Trademark Act:

-      Protection of non-traditional marks, such as color mark, sound mark, etc.

-      Addition of entitled parties for regional collective trademarks

Among others, we believe protection of non-traditional marks will attract our client very much since current Trademark Act provide protection only for 3D mark.  We will follow up with the development.