We search for the identical similar trademarks that have already been registered or filed, and provide the applicant with a report which includes our legal opinion. Searches before filing can prevent the applicant from filing of a trademark which has little possibility to be registered.
After you review the trademark search report and give instructions to file, we send a draft of an application document and an estimate of the filing.
After you confirm the draft of application documents and give final instructions to file, we file a trademark application to Japan Patent Office.
If no reason for refusal is found in the application, a decision of registration is issued. If any reason for refusal is found in the application, an Office Action is issued in approximately 6 months from the filing date.
Against an Office Action, the applicant may file an amendment and/or an argument to overcome the reason for refusal. The response term for an Office Action for a resident abroad is 3 months. When the reason for refusal is resolved, a decision of registration may be issued. When the reason for refusal is unsolved, a decision of refusal is issued. In order to change the examiner’s decision, it is possible to file an appeal against the final refusal. The final refusal is overcome, a notice of allowance for the trademark is issued.
A registration fee is due to be paid within 30 days from the mailing date of the notice of allowance for the trademark. After a registration fee is paid, a trademark right is registered and the trademark right comes into force. A Notice of Allowance for the trademark is issued.
A trademark right is effective for 10 years from the date of registration and can be renewed upon filing of a request.
When the registration fee is in installments, we confirm whether to maintain the trademark right for another five years before the expiration for payment of the second half of the registration fee.
We confirm whether to maintain the trademark right for additional 10 years (or 5 years).
The trademark right is effective for additional ten years.
When a renewal fee is paid in two installments, a renewal fee for five years must be paid before the expiration for payment of the second half of the renewal fee.