Patent and Trademark Filing Statistics Overview

The Japan Patent Office released its statistical overview for January 2026, reporting on patent, trademark, and utility model applications. The data covers Q2 and Q3 of FY2025 with cumulative figures, including year-on-year comparisons showing changes in filing volumes. Preliminary data indicates variations in international applications under the Hague Agreement and Madrid Protocol.

Preliminary Patent Filing Statistics July-December 2025

The Japan Patent Office released preliminary statistical data on patent, utility model, design, and trademark filings for July-December 2025. National patent filings totaled 308,272 (up 3.4% year-on-year), with 32,211 design applications and 160,036 trademark applications. The data is preliminary and subject to change through continued data collection and processing.

Preliminary Patent Filing Statistics Through January 2026

The Japan Patent Office published preliminary patent filing statistics for August 2025 through January 2026, covering patents, utility models, designs, and trademarks. The data includes year-on-year comparisons but is marked as tentative and subject to change through ongoing data collection and processing.

Preliminary Patent Filing Statistics FY2025

The Japan Patent Office released preliminary statistical data on filing applications for FY2025 (June-November 2025). Total applications increased 11.2% year-on-year to 505,144. Patent filings rose 11.6% to 308,272, while trademark applications decreased slightly to 160,036. International PCT patent applications increased 3.2% to 312,897.

Spousal Consent Requirements in Retirement Plans

The GAO issued a report finding that most defined contribution retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, do not require spousal consent for participants to remove funds through loans, withdrawals, or distributions. Approximately one in ten married households with retirement accounts removed funds in 2021, typically less than 10% of their total balance. The report notes that women may be particularly vulnerable due to lower rates of individual retirement account ownership.

Grenada Accession to Madrid Protocol for International Trademark Registration

WIPO notified that Grenada deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol on December 15, 2025. The Protocol enters into force for Grenada on March 15, 2026, allowing trademark owners to extend protection to Grenada through international registration. Grenada declared an 18-month refusal notification period and will receive individual fees instead of supplementary/complementary fees.

UK guidance on filing new trademark applications

UKIPO issued guidance on filing new trademark applications, outlining requirements for obtaining a filing date under the Trade Marks Act. The guidance specifies essential requirements (request for registration, applicant name/address, goods/services specification, mark representation) and non-essential requirements (use declaration, fees, form TM3, Nice classification class). The guidance applies to all entities seeking UK trademark registration.

International Trademark Procedures Under Madrid Protocol

The UK Intellectual Property Office published an examination guide on international trademark procedures under the Madrid Protocol. The guide explains procedures for UK examiners processing international trade marks designating the UK and for filing international applications based on UK national marks through WIPO. It covers eligibility criteria for using the Madrid System and filing requirements.

Nice Classification System for UK Trade Marks

UKIPO issued guidance on the Nice Classification system for UK trade marks, administered by WIPO and used by over 140 countries. The guide covers the 45-class system (Classes 1-34 for goods, Classes 35-45 for services), legal framework, and general classification principles. The 13th Edition of the International Classification came into force on 1st January 2026.

UK Trade Marks Manual - Examination Procedures

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) published its updated Trade Marks Manual examination guide for July 2025, providing procedural guidance to examiners on assessing trade mark registrability under the Trade Marks Act 1994. The guide clarifies that examination practice serves as non-binding guidelines, with each application to be evaluated on its individual merits. The update maintains existing law references including assimilated EU case law and the Directive 2015/2436.