Welcome to the website of APEX Patent Solutions, an international patent firm based in Japan.
On this page, we provide an overview of the process for trademark registration in Japan, from application to final registration.
We hope this information will be helpful for businesses and individuals seeking to protect their brands in Japan.
If you have any questions or need further clarification after reading this page, please feel free to contact us.
We also warmly welcome inquiries about filing trademark applications through our office. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us here (Contact).
The Process of Obtaining a Trademark in Japan
The following process is required to obtain trademark rights in Japan.
- Trademark Application Filing
- Submission of Amendments and Written Arguments (if a Notice of Refusal is issued)
- Appeal Against Rejection (if a Decision of Refusal is issued)
- Payment of Registration Fees
Upon successful trademark registration, trademark rights are established, and the rights are valid for 10 years.
Trademark registration can be renewed every 10 years without limitation, and an application is required at the time of renewal.
The following flowchart illustrates the processes above.
PDF: Process to obtain trademark in Japan (Direct application)
Process 1: Trademark Application Filing
The trademark application is filed along with the payment of the application fee.
A trademark application is submitted to the Japan Patent Office (JPO) by filing an application form that includes the trademark to be registered, designated goods and services (classes), and other required details.
Applicants without an address or residence in Japan (or, for corporations, a business office) cannot file a trademark application directly. Instead, they should request a Japanese patent firm or patent attorney to file on their behalf.
If you choose to work with our firm, we will be happy to handle the application for you. We also provide free estimates, so feel free to contact us through our inquiry form.
Process 2: Submission of Amendments or Written Arguments (only if applicable)
After filing a trademark application, an examiner at the Japan Patent Office (JPO) reviews the trademark to determine whether it can be registered.
If the JPO determines that the trademark cannot be registered, a Notice of Reasons for Refusal is sent to the applicant (or their representative).
In this case, the applicant may make amendments, such as deleting some designated goods or services, and respond to the examiner by submitting a written argument along with the amendments.
If no response is submitted within the deadline (usually within 3 months), the application will be rejected.
Process 3: Filing an Appeal Against Rejection (only if applicable)
If the reasons for refusal are not resolved after responding to the Notice of Reasons for Refusal, or if the response deadline is missed, a Decision of Refusal will be issued.
In this case, you may file an appeal with the JPO requesting the cancellation of the Decision of Refusal. This appeal must be filed within 3 months from the date the certified copy of the decision is delivered.
If the appeal is successful, the Decision of Refusal will be overturned, and the trademark will be registered.
Process 4: Payment of Registration Fees
If the application is successfully approved for registration, the trademark will be registered, and trademark rights will be established upon payment of the registration fee.
The deadline for paying the trademark registration fee is within 30 days from the date of the registration decision.
The trademark rights are valid for 10 years from the date of registration and can be renewed indefinitely through renewal applications.
Summary of the Trademark Registration Process in Japan
On this page, we provided a brief overview of the process for obtaining trademark registration in Japan.
The process ensures your brand is protected in Japan, providing you with exclusive rights to its use.
We hope this page serves as a helpful resource for those looking to protect the brands of their products or services in Japan.
If you have any questions or need further clarification after reading this page, please feel free to contact us through the inquiry form.
For inquiries about trademark application filings or estimates, please contact us through the inquiry form