JPO examination guidelines revised

01-12-2011

Ryo Maruyama

The Japanese Patent Office Examination Guidelines have been revised regarding Section 1 paragraph 1: The Description Requirements of a Specification and Claims.

The Japanese Patent Office (JPO) Examination Guidelines have been revised regarding Section 1 paragraph 1: The Description Requirements of a Specification and Claims (DRSC).

The guidelines set forth the JPO’s basic ideas in applying patent law and other related laws in order that examination procedures are conducted in a fair and efficient manner in accordance with certain criteria. Those criteria have also been used as not only standards of judgment in the course of examination procedures but also as guides for applicants to manage patents.

Patent applications must meet the DRSC in terms of specifications and claims (for example, the invention by which a patent is sought must be clear), and unless such requirements are satisfied, a patent is not allowed to the applicant.


JPO, examination, DRSC

WIPR