Grant Procedure

Q1.　Decision to Grant has been issued.  When will the granted patent become public? 

A1.　 The granted patent will become public in about 3 to 4 months after the payment of the issue fee.  The issue fee must be paid within 30 days from the issuance of the Decision to Grant.

Q2.　Could a third party file an opposition against a granted patent?

A2.　 There is no Opposition procedure in Japan.  However, any third party can file a Trial for Patent Invalidation against a granted patent at the Japan Patent Office.  This Trial can be filed any time, and there is substantially no time limit for filing the Trial.  (Under certain circumstances, the Trial for Patent Invalidation can be even filed after the expiration of the patent term.)

お問い合わせ