Conjectures On JPO's Easing Of Requirements For Small Businesses To Use The Super Accelerated Examination Program

There has been some guessing among patent commentators that the Japan Patent Office (JPO) will make it easier for small venture businesses to put their patent applications on the "Super Accelerated Examination" (Super souki shinsa) track, making First Action pendency less than two months for foreign applications brought into Japan (and final decision within six months, according to the JPO's English explanation which is dated). On May 27, Yahoo! Japan posted a news article with conjectures (now the article is not available) about this, with the title "Ventures' patent [application] requirements for 'Super Acceleration' to be lightened." However, the article later became unavailable, and we await the JPO's official announcement. In some form, an easier process for small-sized businesses or venture companies' use of the Super Accelerated Examination track appears to be in the works.