December 21, 2021
Today, a Cabinet decision was made on the Cabinet Order Regarding the Organization of Relevant Cabinet Orders Accompanying the Coming into Effect of the Act on the Partial Revision of the Patent Act and Other Acts. This Cabinet Order organizes provisions of the relevant Cabinet Orders that specify the amount of patent fees, accompanying the coming into effect of the Act on the Partial Revision of the Patent Act and Other Acts enacted in the 204th Ordinary Session of the Diet.
Background
The 204th Ordinary Session of the Diet enacted the Act on the Partial Revision of the Patent Act and Other Acts (hereinafter referred to as “Amending Act”). In order to respond to increased burden of examinations and digitalization of applications and ensure payment balance, the government has decided to review the fee system for patent fees, etc., and to change the corporation name in relation to the patent attorney system.
While the relevant provisions of the Amending Act will come into force on April 1, 2022, a Cabinet decision was made today on a Cabinet Order to Partially Revise the Order on Fees Related to the Patent Act and Other Acts.
Outline of the Cabinet Order
The specific amounts of patent fees, registration fees for practical proposals, designs, and trademarks, fees for international applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), and fees for international design and trademark registration applications will be specified in the Order for Enforcement of the Patent Act and so on.
In addition, necessary revisions will be made to the relevant Cabinet Orders, including amending Cabinet Orders that include the term “Patent Professional Corporation” to change it to “Patent Attorney Corporation.”
