Japan: Cabinet Decision on Specifying the Effective Date of Part of the Act of the Partial Revision of the Patent Act

On June 6, 2014, the Cabinet approved a Cabinet Order Specifying the Effective Date of Part of the Act of the Partial Revision of the Patent Act, etc. The Cabinet Order stipulates August 1, 2014, as the effective date of the revised provision regarding the expanded scope of eligible entities concerning regional collective trademarks under Article 7-2 (i) of the Trademark Act, a part of the Act of the Partial Revision of the Patent Act, etc. (Act No. 36 of 2014; hereinafter referred to as the “Revised Act”), which was promulgated on May 14, 2014.

1. Outline of the Cabinet Order

In addition to cooperative associations under the existing Trademark Act, the Revised Act, which was promulgated on May 14, 2014, is to newly cover associations of commerce and industry, chambers of commerce and industry, and specified non-profit corporations as entities entitled to register regional collective trademarks, from the viewpoint of further accelerating popularization and dissemination of regional brands (Article 7-

2 (i) of the Trademark Act).

The Cabinet Order is to stipulate August 1, 2014, as the effective date of the revised provisions regarding the expanded scope of eligible entities concerning regional collective trademarks.

2. Other information

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has been holding meetings of the Working Group on Trademark Examination Standards, Trademark System Subcommittee of Intellectual Property Policy Committee under the Industrial Structure Council to discuss the revision of examination standards concerning regional collective trademarks.

The new examination standards will come into effect on August 1, 2014, in line with the enforcement of the revised provisions about the expanded scope of eligible entities concerning regional collective trademarks. 

In June 2014, the JPO started holding explanatory meetings for the Revised Act, including the information on the revised provisions regarding the expanded scope of eligible entities concerning regional collective trademarks. 

(Source: Japan Patent Office)