Our Trademark Registration Services
- Conducting trademark searches and providing advice on registrability
- Preparing and filing trademark applications in Japan
- Prosecuting trademark applications in Japan
- Handling trademark oppositions, cancellations, and invalidations
- Preparing and recording assignments and trademark licenses
- Renewing trademark registrations
Fees for Trademark Registration in Japan
Prior Trademark Search
| Prior Trademark Search | 1 Class | 2 Classes | 3 Classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | US$ 120 | US$ 220 | US$ 320 |
The fee for a prior trademark search is US$120 for one trademark in one class, and an additional $100 will be added for each additional class.
All-inclusive Packages of Trademark Registration in Japan
| All-inclusive Package Menu | 1 Class | 2 Classes | 3 Classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Application | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| - Official Fee for Filing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| - Claiming Priority | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| - Request for Accelerated Examination | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Response to Notification of Reasons for Refusal | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paying Registration Fee | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| - Official Fee for Registration (10 years) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| - Forwarding Registration Certificate | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Management of Renewal Deadline | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| TOTAL | US$ 980 | US$ 1580 | US$ 2180 |
The fee for All-inclusive Package is US$980 for one trademark in one class, and an additional $600 will be added for each additional class.
Madrid Protocol International Registrations
| Preparing and filing a response (Argument/Amendment) to a JPO provisional refusal | 1 Class | 2 Classes | 3 Classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL | US$ 300 | US$ 400 | US$ 500 |
The fee for a response to a JPO provisional refusal is US$300 for one trademark in one class, and an additional $100 will be added for each additional class.
Renewals
| Renewals | 1 Class | 2 Classes | 3 Classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paying Renewals Fee | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| - Official Fee for Renewal (10 years) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| TOTAL | US$ 498 | US$ 798 | US$ 1098 |
The fee for Renewal is US$498 for one trademark in one class, and an additional $300 will be added for each additional class.
Payment Method
We are pleased to offer PayPal as a secure and convenient payment method.
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Items Required for Trademark Registration
- Applicant's name, address and nationality
- Trademark text or image data(if full color, JPEG, 200dpi,1181x1181 dots or less; if non-color, PNG, GIF or BMP, 400dpi, 2362x2362 dot or less)
- Goods and/or Services
- (Optional) Priority application number, date and country
- (for item above) Priority certificate(must be submitted within 3 months from the filing date in Japan.)
The Easiest Flow of Trademark Registration in Japan
(1) Application
To obtain a trademark right in Japan, it is necessary to fill in the required information on the documents specified by the relevant ordinances and submit them to the Japan Patent Office. It is also possible to claim priority within 6 months based on a foreign application.
(2) Substantive Examination
After the formal examination, it will be assessed whether the application meets the substantive requirements. The following trademarks will be rejected because they are deemed not to meet the substantive requirements:
(i) Trademarks that do not allow consumers to distinguish the applicant's goods or services from those of others.
(ii) Trademarks that cannot be registered for reasons of protecting public or private interests.
(3) Notification of Reasons for Refusal
If the examiner believes that the application fails to meet the substantive requirements, a notification of reasons for refusal will be sent.
In recent years, it takes 3 to 9 months to receive a notification of reasons for refusal from the date of the application. If a request for accelerated examination is filed, the period can be shortened to about 1 or 2 months.
(4) Witten Argument / Amendment
The applicant can submit a written Argument in response to the notice of reasons for refusal. Additionally, the applicant can also submit an amendment to amend the application documents.
If the applicant is an overseas resident, the period for responding the notification is within 3 months from the date of service of the notification. This period can be extended up to 6 months.
(5) Decision of Registration
If it is finally determined that there are no reasons for refusal, a decision will be made that the trademark should be registered.
In recent years, it takes 3 to 9 months to receive a decision of registration from the date of the application, unless a notification of reasons for refusal is received. If a request for accelerated examination is filed, the period can be shortened to about 1 or 2 months.
If a notification of reasons for refusal is received, it takes 1 to 6 months to receive a decision of registration from the response.
(6) Registration Fee Payment
The applicant must pay the registration fee within 30 days from the date of service of the decision of registration.
(7) Registration
In about 5 days after payment of the registration fee, the trademark will be registered, and the trademark right will come into force.
(8) Sending of Registration Certificate
A certificate of registration will be sent to the applicant about 2 weeks after the trademark is registered,
(9) Decision of Refusal
If the reasons for refusal are not resolved and the examiner determines that the trademark cannot be registered, a decision of refusal will be issued. If the applicant is dissatisfied with the examiner's decision of refusal, the applicant may file an appeal against the decision of refusal within 3 months from the date of service of the decision of refusal.
FAQ
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Why do I need to register a trademark in Japan?
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Japan is one of the world's major economic powers with a lot of business activities. Registering a trademark in Japan helps prevent your business or products from being imitated by other companies and protects the value of your brand.
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Is it necessary to use a trademark in order to register it in Japan?
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In Japan, it is not necessary to actually use the trademark in order to register it. However, if the trademark is not used at all for a period of three years after registration, there is a possibility that it may be subject to a cancellation request from another party.
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What is the process for trademark registration?
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The trademark registration process in Japan involves the following steps:
- Preliminary Search: A preliminary search of the trademark database is conducted to avoid duplication with existing trademarks.
- Trademark Application: Prepare the necessary documents and apply for trademark registration with the Japan Patent Office.
- Examination: The Patent Office conducts an examination. At this stage, duplication with existing trademarks and other issues are checked.
- Registration: If the examination is successful, the trademark can be registered, and you can become the owner of the trademark.
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How long does it take to register?
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The trademark registration process in Japan usually takes about 6 months to 1 year from the application to the notification of the examination results. However, this time may vary depending on specific circumstances and the status of the examination.
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How long is the trademark registration valid for?
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The validity of a trademark registered in Japan is 10 years from the date of registration. After that, it can be maintained by renewing every 10 years.
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Do I need to prepare a signed power of attorney?
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A signed power of attorney is not required for procedures related to trademark registration in Japan.