As we say in Japan, "Even monkeys fall from trees."
Even expert inventors, applicants, writers, and agents can make
errors in their patent documents. Clients have approached us
concerning various errors made in their PCT international patent
applications, wondering what they can do to correct errors for the
Japanese national phase entry.
Do we really need a separate Amendment to file
corrections?
Yes. In order to correct something in the PCT application when
or after bringing it into the Japanese national phase, one must
file a proper Amendment. You should not insert a correct version by
only adjusting the translation of the PCT application.
This is because the PCT international application is a binding
application considered to be continued in the national phase(s).
The national phases of it are not considered new applications where
things can be tweaked, but merely the same application translated
into one of the accepted languages of the national phase. A
