Updates

Examination Practice Training Program for Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) (14 April 2025)

The JPO provided a PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination Training Program for Saudi Arabia!

For two days, from February 10 to 11, 2025, a training program on PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination was held in person for the patent examiners of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP). The training featured two JPO instructors, Mr. KAWAHARA and Ms. SHIKAMA, as International Training Instructors of the JPO’s Global Patent Academy (GPA) and possessing extensive practical experience in patent examination. Approximately 30 patent examiners from the SAIP participated in the program. This was the JPO’s first face-to-face training program in Saudi Arabia.

The SAIP began to operate as International Searching Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examination Authority (IPEA) on December 15, 2024. Through this program, the JPO shared its knowledge and expertise on PCT international search and preliminary examination with the SAIP examiners.

While strengthening our relationships with various IP offices, the JPO is committed to supporting the creation of a favorable environment for trade and investment through enhanced protection of IP rights!

The signing ceremony of the MOU between IIPPF (Japan) and DMS (Vietnam) (7 April 2025)

The JPO promotes public-private and international cooperation with the goal of eliminating the counterfeiting of products!

On December 20, 2024, Mr. Tran Huu Linh, Director General of the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance (DMS), and Mr. KOBAYASHI Toshihiko, Chairperson of the International Intellectual Property Protection Forum (IIPPF), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IIPPF and DMS for a closer cooperation in addressing the problem of counterfeits in the Vietnamese market. The signing ceremony was held at the Japan Patent Office (JPO), which supports the activities of IIPPF, and witnessed by Mr. ONO Yota, Commissioner of the JPO.

The DMS has the authority to seize counterfeit products in Vietnam. The DMS is also an important administrative organization that leads the local market surveillance agencies. With the signing of this MOU, it is expected that collaboration with individual Japanese companies, which is essential for DMS in its efforts to crack down on counterfeit products in the market, will be further strengthened, allowing for quicker and more effective action against counterfeit products.

The JPO will continue to work in each country on anti-counterfeiting efforts that will lead not only to appropriate protection of IP rights but also to consumer protection!

Seminar on IP education in Cambodia (31 March 2025)

JPO held a seminar for IP personnel in Cambodia!

On February 21, 2025, the JPO, in cooperation with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and the National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training (INPIT), held a seminar in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for government agencies of the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and the Ministry of Industry, Science and Innovation (MISTI), local companies, and university staff.

The theme of the seminar was “Strengthening IP Education and Enhancing Public Awareness”. Representatives from JPO, JETRO, ERIA, and INPIT, along with Japanese IP specialists, presented their initiatives and systems related to IP education in Japan, including efforts to raise awareness of IP and create IP content for the younger generation. The MoC also delivered a presentation on its national efforts to develop human resources for IP and promote IP awareness in collaboration with private enterprises.

Participants gave comments such as “It was beneficial to compare the initiatives in Cambodia and Japan.” and “The initiatives in Japan are very informative and will be valuable for future development.”.

The JPO will continue to focus on IP education for the younger generation with IP offices overseas!

JPO Status Report 2025 (24 March 2025)

The JPO Status Report 2025 has been just released!

We publish the “JPO Status Report” every March to present the latest IP-related statistics and initiatives related to the JPO.

This year’s Report features support measures for the promotion and implementation of IP management, as well as international cooperation in new technologies such as AI and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).

Please take a look at the Report via the hyperlink below. We hope this report will be useful for your business!

Meeting with WIPO Director General Tang (17 March 2025)

WIPO DG Tang held a meeting with Minister MUTO and JPO Commissioner ONO!

On February 13, Mr. MUTO Yoji, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, held a meeting with Mr. Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). They both agreed to strengthen collaboration between Japan and WIPO to hold an international forum at the Expo aiming to promote the use of intellectual property in solving social issues.

On the same day, Mr. Tang met with JPO Commissioner ONO at the JPO. During the meeting, they noted their shared understanding that they are going to contribute to the promotion of WIPO GREEN utilization through the holding of an international forum at the EXPO 2025 and give awards to companies that utilize intellectual property. They also exchanged views on the expansion of WIPO GREEN initiatives through the Funds-In-Trust Japan Intellectual Property Global (FIT Japan IP Global), and the cooperation on WIPO GREEN Ambassador Program.

With these high-level discussions and events at EXPO 2025 as a driving force, the JPO will further strengthen its cooperation with WIPO and make international contributions for the future!

Source: https://www.jpo.go.jp//e/news/quickreads/index.html#up20250407