Utilizing JPO's Collective Examination To Maximize Your Business Strategy

Introduction

In April 2013, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) launched the Collective Examination system in response to the needs of supporting business strategies of applicants as globalization and diversification of their business activities accelerated.  The Collective Examination system enables an applicant to obtain patents, trademarks, and designs at the best timing in accordance to their business strategy.  The JPO examines those applications simultaneously, and grants the rights at the applicant's desirable timing.  More importantly, it is only Japan that implements such a unique cross-sectional examination system in the world.  This is part of the efforts of the JPO initiatives that the JPO aims at assisting applicants in developing their IP portfolios with a timely and transparent examinations.  Now, the JPO carries out the Collective Examinations, while reviewing the current system and finding the most appropriate way for the applicants.  This