APPLICATION FORM GUIDE

Preliminary Search:

We recommend that a search be conducted for any mark for which you may want to seek trademark registration in the Japanese Patent Office (JPO). The purpose of the search is to help determine whether any mark has almain_txt2y been registered or applied for related products or for related services. The search will uncover similar marks, NOT just those that are identical.

Trademark Application:

The appropriate forms accompanied with the application fee are submitted to the JPO. Since we file electronically, the application number is allocated immediately upon filing the application,. Examination of the application generally occurs about one year after filing. The applicant has thirty days from the notice of allowance to pay the registration fee, following which the mark will be registered.

Name of the Applicant:

Please provide the name of the individual, with the family name first followed by the given name. If the applicant is not an individual, i.e. a company, please provide the name of the company and the name of an officer entitled to represent the applicant. Abbreviations are not accepted.

Address:

Enter the applicants address, including city, state, country, and zip / postal code where applicable. Abbreviations are not accepted.

Name of Correspondent:

Please enter the name of the person to whom correspondence should be addressed, including in - house counsel. Abbreviations are not accepted.

Address of Correspondent:

Enter the correspondent's address, including city, state, country, and zip / postal code where applicable. Abbreviations are not accepted.

Email:

Enter the correspondent's internet mail address.

Phone Number:

Enter the correspondent's telephone number.

Fax Number:

Enter the correspondent's fax number.

Claim Priority:

Priority can be claimed where a corresponding registration is being sought in another country which is party to the Paris Convention

(1) Please enter the name of the country where the corresponding application has been first filed; and
(2) Please enter the date (MM/DD/YYYY) on which the foreign application was filed.

Trademark Information:

You can display a mark in one of two formats: (1) typed; or (2) stylized or design. You may apply for only one mark in each application. You cannot present the mark in typed format and the mark in stylized format in one application. Each variation is considered a separate mark. Under the typed tormat, you must enter the word(s), letter(s) and / or number(s) you wish to register (e.g., ABC COMPUTERS). Under the stylized format, you must attach an image (which may consist solely of a pictorial element; word(s), letter(s) or number(s) in a particular stylization; or a combination thereof). In a typed mark, do NOT include quotation marks around the mark unless you are actually using, or intend to use, the quotation marks as part of the mark. Be careful to input the mark in the form which you intend to use it (i.e. upper or lower case letters, or a combination of both). If you wish to register a stylized or design mark then please click on the circle selecting Stylized or Design Format and attach a GIF or JP G image file to show the actual appearance of your overall mark.

GIF or JPG image file:

1) Mark image attachments should be submitted in bi-tonal (black and white) format.
2) Mark images should not include the trademark, service mark or registration symbols (TM, SM, ®). Mark images should be submitted with as little white space around the design as possible. The mark image size used on registration certificates is approximately 4" X 4" (10.2 cm X 10.2 cm). The mark image size used in the Official Gazette is approximately 2" X 2" (5.1 cm X 5.1 cm). Images are scaled to fit these sizes. The accepted formats are 200 dpi JPEG files, with less than 2352 x 2362 dots per design for both GIF and BMP files. Overall size must be less than 150 mm x 150 mm (5.90” X 5.90”).

Note: Check correct numbers for measurement above – 2352 x 2362 – This is not symmetrical.

Color:

The GIF or JPG image file should show a bi-tonal (black-and-white) image of your mark. Color images are not recommended. Although the JPO will accept a color image, it will be converted to black-and-white before the application can proceed to registration. Mark images submitted in a color format may not convert properly to black-and-white images. If color is an important feature of your mark that you wish to protect, please provide a description of the mark in the additional comments section at the end of the form to explain where the color(s) appear in the mark (e.g., "The mark consists of a head with blue eyes, red hair, and a yellow nose.").

Typed Format:

Please type the mark in the format you intent to use it, i.e. in upper case, lower case, or a combination of both. You may use the mark in any style or format and still receive protection for the word(s), letter(s), and / or number(s) that are shown in the registration certificate.

Stylized or Design Format:

If you are using, or intend to use, your mark with a stylized appearance that you wish to protect, you may want to consider filing in this format; otherwise, choose the Typed Format above. Attach a GIF or JPG image file (meeting the requirements as outlined above) to the application form.

GOODS AND SERVICES INFORMATION Goods and / or Services Class:

Please select the goods and services from the "International classification of Goods and Services" website and enter the International Class number(s) of the goods and / or services associated with the mark, e.g., 009.If your goods / services are not listed, please enter your goods / services.

Listing of Goods and / or Services:

Enter the specific goods and / or services associated with the mark; e.g., "computer software for accounting purposes;" or "shirts, pants and shoes." If you are not specific enough (e.g., listing "internet services"), the JPO will make a request for further information. Even if you are filing based on intent to use, you must provide a specific enough recitation so that the nature of the goods and / or services is sufficiently clear. While you may be able to amend the recitation during prosecution to clarify the goods and / or services, if the initial listing is too ambiguous, you will not receive a filing date and no amendment will be permitted. Also, do not enter the broad class number here, such as 009 or 025 (this information belongs in the field above, namely International Class). If the goods and / or services are classified in more than one class, the goods and / or services should be listed separately under each International Class number.

Goods and Services Advice Request:

We recommend to use only a pre-approved explanation of Good and Services as published by the JPO. When Goods and Services advice is requested we will select similar approved Goods and Services as published by the JPO. Goods and Services Advice Request is 10,000 yen per class.