Japan’s Patent Annuities

There are two fee schedules running concurrently. For patents where examination was requested before 1^st April 2004, the older, higher fees apply. Newer patents where examination was requested from this date onwards benefit from lower fees.

For patents with applications where examination was requested with the JPO on or before 31^st March 2004:

For patents with applications where examination was requested with the JPO on or after 1^st April 2004:

Fees are in JPY.

Maintaining Patents in Japan

RenewalsDesk offers an easy to use, online service for managing your patents – both those in Japan and other countries.

Check the dates of upcoming Japanese patent renewals, receive reminders and pay patent renewal fees.

In Japan patent maintenance fees must be paid to the JIPO by an accredited agent. Take advantage of our local agent network.

Japan Patent Renewal Rules

Renewal Years

Renewal fees on Japanese patents are due counting from grant at the Japanese Patent Office. Fees for the first to third years are due at the time of grant, and are generally paid by the filing agent. Fees for the fourth annuity onwards are annual counting from the original grant date.

Late Payments

When an annual fee is not paid on time, there is a six-month grace period during which the fee can still be paid without the patent lapsing, requiring payment of twice the value of the missed annual fee.

Entity Types

There are two categories of patent proprietor that are given reductions to the annual fees.

If the patent proprietor is an individual, a micro enterprise or an SME under 10 years of age, fees are discounted by 66%.

If the entity owning the patent is an academic institution, an SME of any age focused on R&D or if the proprietor is receiving certain relief benefits, a discount of 50% applies.

The appropriate documentation and proof of status must be filed with the patent office in order to claim the above discounts.

Local Japanese Agent

In Japan patent maintenance fees must be paid, in accordance with guidelines, by an agent in Japan. A patent renewal service such as RenewalsDesk has a network of agents globally, including those required in Japan.

Per Claim Fees

The renewal fee is made up of two components. The first is a basic fee per patent, the second is an additional fee per claim listed in the official patent document. The total renewal fee due for the patent is the sum of the basic fee and the per claim fees.