Intellectual Property Archives - Page 4 of 13

July 18, 2017

Should IP licenses be registered with the Japanese Patent Office?

When licensing a patent to another party it is possible to register the license with the Japanese Patent Office. However, registering a license is not required in every case. Generally, the only licenses that need to be registered are exclusive licenses.

June 23, 2017

Can a third party submit an opinion on a pending patent application in Japan?

Normally, the patent office is only provided with the patent applicant’s viewpoint when considering a patent application. However, this sometimes doesn’t give the patent office all the information necessary to make a decision on the application as there might be certain prior art that the applicant may wish to hide. This is why it is also possible for third parties to submit their opinions on pending applications.

May 31, 2017

Is it possible to sell a copyright in Japan?

Licensing a copyright isn’t the only way to monetize it. It is also possible to sell all or part of a copyright to other parties. Selling a copyright in its entirety is relatively simple and easy to understand, but selling a copyright in parts is also a valid way for the copyright owner to make the most efficient use of his or her intellectual property.

May 12, 2017

If a patented invention needs approval from a safety agency before it can be marketed, does any extra time get added to the length of the patent?

Certain patented inventions may require approval from a government agency, such as those regulating consumer products, medical devices or food, before they are allowed to be sold to the public. This period of waiting for approval unfairly cuts into the patent term and lowers the profit an inventor can expect to make. Therefore, patents in this situation may be extended for a further period of up to five more years.