Partial Revision of the Patent Act and Other Acts

JPO Laws and Guidelines

Published May 21st, 2021

Detected March 27th, 2026

Summary

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has issued Act No. 42, a partial revision to the Patent Act and other related acts, promulgated on May 21, 2021. The effective date for most provisions will be set by Cabinet Order within one year of promulgation.

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What changed

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) has promulgated Act No. 42, which enacts partial revisions to the Patent Act and other related legislation. This Act was passed on May 14, 2021, and officially promulgated on May 21, 2021. While the Act itself is now law, its effective date, with the exception of certain provisions, will be determined by a subsequent Cabinet Order and is expected to occur within one year of the promulgation date.

Regulated entities and legal professionals involved with patent law in Japan should monitor for the forthcoming Cabinet Order that will specify the effective date for the revised provisions. Understanding these changes will be crucial for ongoing compliance and strategic patent management. The JPO has provided an outline of the Act for further details.

What to do next

Monitor for the Cabinet Order specifying the effective date of the revised Patent Act provisions.
Review the provided outline of the Act for details on the specific changes.

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Contents menu Home > Systems/Procedures > Laws and Policies > Laws and Guidelines > Review of Laws > The Act on the Partial Revision of the Patent Act and Other Acts (Act No. 42 of May 21, 2021)

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The Act on the Partial Revision of the Patent Act and Other Acts (Act No. 42 of May 21, 2021)

On March 2, 2021, the Cabinet approved the Bill for the Act on the Partial Revision of the Patent Act and Other Acts. This Act was passed into law on May 14, 2021 and was promulgated as Act No. 42 on May 21.

Outline of the Act (PDF:424KB) The Act’s effective date, which will be prescribed in the Cabinet Order, is a date within one year’s time of the Act being promulgated with the exception of some provisions.

[Last updated 29 July 2021]

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