HOME > IP INFORMATION > Patent & Utility Model > Reports & Topics > Amendments to Japanese Patent Law (Effective from January 1 and April 1, 2004) > 5) Information Filing System after Patent Grant(Detailed Information)
Amendments to Japanese Patent Law
(Effective from January 1 and April 1, 2004)
Information Filing System after Grant of Patent
Before January 1, 2004, third parties were only allowed to present relevant information pertaining to prior art for the JPO's review prior to the grant of a patent. On or after January 1, 2004, any third party may submit relevant information to the JPO on or after patent grant, as well as prior to patent grant.
Relevant information may be submitted to the JPO anonymously and the information is retained in the application file. Even if an interested party does not intend to file a trial for invalidity of a patent, the interested party can provide the JPO with relevant information on prior art. These filed materials shall be considered by the JPO if a third party files for a trial for invalidity of the patent.