The JPO 2022 status report is an insightful update on JPO initiatives and global & Japanese IP trends. The English and Japanese PDF reports are now available (read and download). The JPO 2022 status report focuses on SMEs and is an insightful update on JPO initiatives and global & Japanese IP trends.
Released March 30, 2022, this report is meant to be a practical reference for IP practitioners in Japan, and globally. It addresses key IP trends by IP area as well as Policy Outcomes in such issues as harmonization updates, trials and appeals, and more.
The JPO’s landing page is here, where you can access the full scope of JPO resources in English. Links to the 2020 JPO report are found here, actually on the METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) website.
Some of the more notable content, not surprisiignly, relates to COVID19 and the JPOS’s initiatives to enhance digital technologies including AI – a major focus area.
The JPO states that “The JPO aims to create a global IP environment by further deepening collaboration with foreign IP offices and international organizations. In 2021, the JPO hosted the Trilateral Heads of Office Meeting and the IP Heads of Office Meeting and led the discussions for further harmonizing systems and operations with other countries.”
Of great interest to our global SME friends, the focus of Kimura & Partners in Tokyo, is the following comment made by the JPO: “Equally important are initiatives that bolster support for SMEs, startups, and universities, which are important creators of innovation. The Action Plan for Utilization of Intellectual Property by Universities and the Action Plan for Utilization of Intellectual Property by Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups, formulated in December 2021, includes initiatives for steadier support, such as strengthening coordination between the JPO and other organizations. The JPO will promote IP utilization by providing seamless support to ambitious businesses and universities from the discovery of seeds to social implementation.”
The two main sections of the report are Trends and Policy Outcomes. Trends looks individually at Patents, Designs and Trademarks – in Japan and globally – and Utility Models and Trials and Appeals – in Japan only. Policy Outcomes looks at: Examinations/Trials and Appeals in all types of IP; International Initiatives in Harmonization, Developing Country Improvement and Global IP Collaboration; and various Support Measures, Laws and Amendments.
Once again, the JPO 2022 IP Status Report focuses on SMEs.
