Searches & Applications
Searches and registrability advice, review of goods and services, and preparation and filing of applications.
Trademarks
Trademark Protection in Japan
Searches, applications, office actions, renewals, and invalidation actions for international brand owners and overseas counsel.
Supporting overseas professionals
Clear Instructions. Practical Recommendations.
We work with overseas IP firms and international companies to provide coordinated support in Japan. We clarify the requested scope, explain the available options, and keep you informed in English throughout each matter.
Our trademarks services
How We Can Assist
Office Action Responses
Analysis of JPO objections and preparation of arguments or amendments in coordination with your instructions.
Madrid Provisional Refusals
Review and handling of provisional refusals issued in connection with international registrations designating Japan.
Renewals
Renewal filing and coordination of instructions for maintaining Japanese trademark registrations.
Recordals
Assistance with changes of name or address, assignments, and related recordals.
Oppositions & Invalidations
Advice and representation in proceedings concerning Japanese trademark registrations.
Our process
From Instruction to Completion
Instructions & Review
We review your instructions, relevant documents, objectives, and deadlines.
Scope & Confirmation
We confirm the requested work, costs, required information, and proposed approach.
Action in Japan
We prepare filings, coordinate translations, and handle the agreed procedures.
Reporting & Follow-up
We report developments in English and coordinate decisions and next steps.
Trademark fees
Clear Fees for Your Japanese Trademark Matters
Our standard professional fees are stated in Japanese yen. JPO official fees are shown separately. USD quotations are available on request.
| Procedure | 1 class | 2 classes | 3 classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing — professional fee | 40,000 | 50,000 | 60,000 |
| Filing — JPO official fee | 12,000 | 20,600 | 29,200 |
| Total payable at filing | 52,000 | 70,600 | 89,200 |
| Registration — professional fee | 20,000 | 25,000 | 30,000 |
| Registration — JPO official fee (10 years) | 32,900 | 65,800 | 98,700 |
| Total payable at registration | 52,900 | 90,800 | 128,700 |
| Total from filing to registration | 104,900 | 161,400 | 217,900 |
Scope of this example: One trademark, a direct Japanese application, and payment of the registration fee for ten years. Search fees, office action responses, additional procedures, applicable tax, and bank or payment processing charges are excluded. Filing costs are payable before filing; registration costs are payable only if the application proceeds to registration. Registration is not guaranteed.
For each class beyond the first, the additional professional fee is JPY 10,000 at filing and JPY 5,000 at registration. Official fees are charged at the applicable JPO rates.
Japanese consumption tax: Professional fees for qualifying services supplied to overseas clients are exempt from Japanese consumption tax. Where the exemption does not apply, any applicable tax will be stated in the quotation. The totals above assume that the exemption applies.
Currency: JPY is our base currency. If you require a USD quotation, please let us know. The quotation will state the exchange rate, validity period, payment currency, and any payment charges.
Existing matters: Fees already agreed for an accepted matter remain governed by that agreement.
Included services
What Our Standard Fees Cover
Filing Fee
- Review of standard filing instructions and applicant information
- Review and Japanese wording of standard goods and services
- Preparation and electronic filing of the application
- English filing report and electronic copies of the filed documents
- Routine English correspondence and status updates
Registration Fee
- English report of the notice of allowance
- Payment of the agreed JPO registration fee
- Registration completion report
- Electronic delivery of the registration certificate
Standard fees assume complete filing instructions and a conventional word or logo mark with standard goods and services. Extensive or non-standard specifications, substantial translation work, and special filing requirements are quoted separately before work begins.
Searches, renewals & additional work
Fees for Other Trademark Services
| Service | Professional fee | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Standard trademark search | 20,000 for the first class; 10,000 for each additional class |
One conventional word mark, a standard Japanese database search, and a concise English report. Figurative or complex searches: quotation on request. |
| Renewal | 15,000 for the first class; 5,000 for each additional class |
Standard renewal filing and completion report. JPO fee for a ten-year renewal: 43,600 per class. |
| Simple office action response | From 20,000 per response | Goods/services wording corrections that can be resolved by amendment without substantive arguments. |
| Substantive office action response | From 60,000 per response | Arguments concerning cited marks, distinctiveness, or other substantive issues; quotation after review. |
| Madrid provisional refusal response | Simple matters: from 20,000; substantive matters: from 60,000 |
The nature of the refusal determines the quotation. These fees cover the agreed response work and do not include WIPO designation or renewal fees. |
| Appeals, oppositions & invalidation/cancellation proceedings | Quotation on request | Fees depend on the required analysis, evidence, and proceedings. |
Search and office action response fees are separate from the standard filing and registration fees. A refusal involving both wording corrections and substantive objections is quoted as a combined matter after review. Fees are based on the work required, rather than the number of classes alone.
Additional Work Quoted Separately
- Priority-related additional procedures and supporting documents
- Requests for accelerated examination or extensions of time
- Full English translations of JPO notices or supporting evidence
- Extensive goods/services drafting or translation
- Additional office action responses, examiner interviews, and evidence preparation
- Changes of name or address, assignments, and other recordals
- International courier delivery and agreed bank or payment processing charges
We will confirm the scope and estimated fees before commencing additional work. Full translations and physical certificate delivery are not included in the routine reporting and electronic delivery service.
Getting started
Information to Include With Your Instructions
- Applicant’s name, address, and nationality
- Trademark representation or word mark
- Goods and services to be covered
- Priority details, where applicable
- For an existing matter: application, registration, or international registration number
- Requested scope, reference number, and relevant deadline
For an initial inquiry, please provide a non-confidential outline. Send confidential materials only after we have confirmed that we can accept the matter.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you review goods and services before filing?
Yes. We can review the proposed wording and advise on a suitable specification for filing in Japan.
Do you assist with Madrid provisional refusals?
Yes. Please send the refusal, international registration details, required action, and relevant deadline.
Can you handle renewals and ownership changes?
Yes. Please provide the registration details and the requested renewal or recordal instructions.
Can you provide a quotation for a specific matter?
Yes. Please send the mark, goods and services, number of classes, and requested scope. We will confirm professional fees, official fees, any applicable tax, and additional work before starting.
Related services
Explore Our Other IP Services
Get in touch
Discuss Your Trademark Matter in Japan
Send us a brief outline of your matter, the assistance required, and any relevant deadline.