WIPO and Japan
Use of WIPO Services
PCT System for the international registration of patents
Since 2003, Japan has been the second largest user of the PCT System. In 2011, the number of PCT applications from Japan increased by 21 percent. Panasonic Corporation was the second PCT applicant in 2011 with 2,463 PCT applications published. Sharp, Toyota, NEC and Mitsubishi were also among the top 15 PCT applicants in 2011, with 15 more Japanese corporations in the top 50.
Within the list of top applicants from the University sector, the University of Tokyo ranked 7th with 98 PCT applications published in 2011. Six other Japanese universities including Kyoto University, Osaka University, Tohoku University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Hokkaido University and Kyushu University were also among the top 50 universities to use the PCT system in 2011.
Madrid System for the international registration of trademarks
Japan joined the Madrid Protocol in 2000 and is already is among the top 10 users of the Madrid system. Japan experienced a slight decrease (-2.5%) in the number of international applications in 2011.
Japan is also among the top six most designated Contracting Parties, signaling the interest of foreign companies to protect their trademarks in the Japanese market.
WIPO Domain Name Dispute Resolution Services
Since 1999, the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center has handled the cases from 193 Japanese complainants, placing Japan among the top 15 users of the Center’s services for the resolution of domain name disputes.
Voluntary contributions
In 1987, the Government of Japan made its first voluntary contribution to WIPO. Since then Japan has established the following Funds-in-Trusts arrangements at WIPO:
Japan Funds-in-trust (FIT) for Industrial Property
Established in 1987. The activities under this arrangement mainly target developing and least developed countries in Asia and the Pacific region, particularly those countries whose economic and technological growth require an effective framework for the development and transfer of technology. The arrangement maintains flexibility with regard to the participation of countries from other regions.
- Report on the First Twenty years of the Japan Funds-in-Trust for Industrial Property
Japan Funds-in-trust (FIT) for Copyright
Established in 1993. The activities under this arrangement concern primarily developing countries in Asia and the Pacific region, particularly those developing countries whose economic and cultural development requires the promotion and protection of copyright and related rights.
Japan Funds-in-trust (FIT) for Africa
Established in2008 to support activities aimed inter alia at strengthening the legal and administrative frameworks for IP protection, modernize IP infrastructure to ensure high quality service to users, and share the experience of Japanese SMEs and experts in business oriented IP management and human resource development.
The Funds-in-Trust arrangements are utilized for the delivery of integrated programs in areas ranging from modernization of intellectual property offices, public outreach and educational activities, facilitating university-industry partnership and better use of IP assets by SMEs, to collective management of copyrights and related rights, and effective enforcement of industrial property and copyrights and related rights.
Specific activities include the organization of regional, sub-regional and national seminars and workshops, training courses, expert advisory missions, long-term fellowship programs, provision of office equipment, and translation of selected WIPO materials.
Through these channels, Japan has supported a number of WIPO-administered projects and activities, and shares its experience in the use of intellectual property for wealth creation, enhanced competitiveness and economic development.
Membership
Japan joined WIPO in 1975; one year after the Organization became a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is currently party to 15 treaties administered by the Organization and member of 14 WIPO Bodies as listed below.
| Membership in WIPO-administered treaties (DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE IN japan) |
Membership in WIPO bodies | Details/additional information |
|---|---|---|
|
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (July 15, 1899) Paris Act (April 24, 1975) |
Berne Union Assembly | Details |
| Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure (August 19, 1980) |
Budapest Union Assembly |
International Depositary Authorities: International Patent Organism Depositary (IPOD), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) – since May 1, 1981 National Institute of Technology and Evaluation, Patent Microorganisms Depositary (NPMD) – since April 1, 2004 |
| Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO Convention) (April 20, 1975) |
WIPO Coordination Committee WIPO General Assembly WIPO Program and Budget Committee |
Details |
| Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms Against Unauthorized Duplication of Their Phonograms (Phonograms Convention) (October 14, 1978) |
Details | |
|
International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV Convention) (September 3, 1982 ) 1978 Act (September 3, 1982) 1991 Act (December 24, 1998) |
Details | |
|
Madrid Agreement for the Repression of False or Deceptive Indications of Source on Goods (July 8, 1953) Lisbon Act (August 21, 1965) |
Details | |
|
Nice Agreement Concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the Purposes of the Registration of Marks (February 20, 1990) Geneva Act (February 20, 1990) |
Nice Union Assembly | Details |
|
Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (July 15, 1899) Stockholm Act, Articles 1 – 12 (October 1, 1975) |
Paris Union Assembly Paris Union Executive Committee |
Details |
| Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) (October 1, 1978) |
PCT Union Assembly |
International Searching Authority (ISA) and International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA) Agreement |
| Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (Madrid Protocol) (March 14, 2000) |
Madrid Union Assembly |
Specific information on procedures regarding applications or registrations |
| Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations (October 26, 1989) |
Rome Convention Intergovernmental Committee | Details |
| Strasbourg Agreement Concerning the International Patent Classification (August 18, 1977) |
IPC Union Assembly | Details |
| Trademark Law Treaty (April 1, 1997) |
Details | |
| WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) (March 6, 2002) |
WCT Assembly | Details |
| WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) (October 9, 2002) |
WPPT Assembly |
Japan is also a member of the following WIPO Standing and Permanent Committees:
- Advisory Committee on Enforcement (ACE)
- Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP)
- Committee on WIPO Standards(CWS)
- Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC)
- Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR)
- Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP)
- Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and Geographical Indications (SCT)
