New Reduced Fee Structures took effect at JPO｜News & Topics

New Reduced Fee Structures took effect at JPO

Patent/Utility Model Amendment of Law, Rule, Manual

IP News 2019.06.12

Effective April 1, 2019, a new system of fee reductions has been introduced, targeting small and medium businesses and universities, etc. and providing discounts on examination fees, patent fees (1st to 10th years), and fees involved in filing international applications which are in Japanese and are accepted by the Japan Patent Office. Compared
to the current fee reduction system, the new system has simpler procedures for requesting fee discounts, and has
enlarged the scope of entities eligible for fee reductions.

1. Base date for application of the new fee reduction system

The new fee reduction system will be applicable, in regards to examination fees and patent fees, to the patent cases for which a request for examination is filed on or after April 1, 2019, which is the effective date of the new fee
reduction system.

2. Procedures for requesting fee discount under the new fee reduction system

It is no longer necessary to submit a separate request form for fee discount or any certification for eligibility upon
requesting a fee discount^(Note).
In the case of international applications, it is possible to receive a fee discount by submission of a request for fee
discount at the same time as the submission of the application form or the request for preliminary examination. It is no longer necessary to submit any certification^(Note).

(Note) However, there may be cases in which a certification will be requested at a later date.

3. Main entities eligible under the new fee reduction system

Academic Discount – Researchers at universities, and universities, etc.	1/2 discount of: Examination fees; and Patent fees.
	In regards to international applications filed in Japanese, 1/2 discount of: Transmittal fees; Search fees; and Preliminary examination fees.
Small-to- medium-sized businesses – In the case of a sole proprietor, the number of employees shall not exceed the prescribed number shown below. – In the case of a corporation, the number of employees shall not exceed the prescribed number shown below, and the amount of capital or the total amount of investment shall not exceed the prescribed amount shown below. — Manufacturing/construction/transportation industries (300 or fewer employees, JPY 300 million or less in capital) — Wholesalers (100 or fewer employees, JPY 100 million or less in capital) — Service industry (100 or fewer employees, JPY 50 million or less in capital) — Retailers (50 or fewer employees, JPY 50 million or less in capital) — Rubber product manufacturers (900 or fewer employees, JPY 300 million or less in capital) — Software industry or information-processing service industry (300 or fewer employees, JPY 300 million or less in capital) — Hotel businesses (200 or fewer employees, JPY 50 million or less in capital)	1/2 discount of: Examination fees; and Patent fees.
	In regards to international applications filed in Japanese, 1/2 discount of: Transmittal fees; Search fees; and Preliminary examination fees.
Small businesses – In the case of a sole proprietor, the number of employees shall not exceed 20. – In the case of a corporation, the number of employees shall not exceed 20, and the business shall not be under the control of a large corporation.	2/3 discount (discount to 1/3 of the regular fee) of: Examination fees; and Patent fees.
	In regards to international applications filed in Japanese, 2/3 discount (discount to 1/3 of the regular fee) of: Transmittal fees; Search fees; and Preliminary examination fees.
Small-to-medium-sized venture businesses – In the case of a sole proprietor, 10 years shall not have passed since its establishment. – In the case of a corporation, 10 years shall not have passed since its establishment, the amount of capital or the total amount of investment shall not exceed JPY 300 million, and the business shall not be under the control of a large corporation.	2/3 discount(discount to 1/3 of the regular fee) of: Examination fees; and Patent fees.
	In regards to international applications filed in Japanese, 2/3 discount (discount to 1/3 of the regular fee) of: Transmittal fees; Search fees; and Preliminary examination fees.

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