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Design Act (Act No. 125 of 1959)
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Table of Contents 
Chapter I General Provision (Article 1 and Article 2) 
Chapter II Design Registrations and Applications for Design Registration (Article 3 to 
Article 15)
Chapter III Examination (Article 16 to Article 19)
Chapter IV Design Right 
Section 1 Design Rights (Article 20 to Article 36) 
Section 2 Infringement of rights (Article 37 to Article 41) 
Section 3 Registration Fees (Article 42 to article 45)
Chapter V  Trials and Appeals (Article 46 to Article 52)
Chapter VI Retrial and Litigation(Article 53 to Article 60-2) 
Chapter VI-2 Special Provisions based on Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement 
concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designsᨵṇ㸦ᖹᡂ㸰㸵ᖺ㸳᭶㸯㸱
ࠋࡍ࡛ࡢࡶࡓࡋ
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This English translation of the Design Act has been prepared 
up to the revisions 
of Act No. 36 of 2014 Effective May 13, 2015 . 
 This is an unofficial translation. Only the original Japanese texts of laws and 
regulations have legal effect, and the translations are to be used solely as reference 
material to aid in the understanding of Japanese laws and regulations. 
  The Government of Japan shall not be responsible for the accuracy, reliability or 
currency of the legislative material provided in this Website, or for any consequence 
resulting from use of the in formation in this Website. For all purposes of 
interpreting and applying law to any legal iss ue or dispute, users should consult the 
original Japanese texts published in the Official Gazette. 
 2 SSection 1 Application for International Registration (Article 60-3 to Article 60-5) 
Section 2 Special Provisions Concerning International Applications for Design 
Registration (Article 60-6 to Article 60-23)
Chapter VII Miscellaneous Provisions (Article 60-24 to Article 68) 
Chapter VIII Penal Provisions (Article 69 to Article 77) 
Supplementary Provisions 
 
Chapter I General Provision 
 
(Purpose) 
Article 1  The purpose of this Act is, through promoting the protection and the 
utilization of designs, to encourage creation of designs, and thereby to contribute to the development of industry. 
 
(Definition, etc.) 
Article 2  (1) "Design" in this Act sha ll mean the shape, patterns or colors, or any 
combination thereof, of an article (including a part of an article, the same shall 
apply hereinafter except in Article 8), which creates an aesthetic impression 
through the eye. 
(2) The shape, patterns or colors, or any combination thereof, of a part of an article 
as used in the preceding paragraph shall include those in a graphic image on a screen that is provided for use in the operation of the article (limited to the operations carried out in order to enable the article to perform its functions) and is displayed on the article itself or another article that is used with the article in an integrated manner. 
(3) "Use" of a design in this Act shal l mean the manufacturing, using, assigning, 
leasing, exporting or importing, or offering for assignment or lease (including 
displaying for the purpose of assignment or lease, the same shall apply hereinafter) of an article to the design. 
(4) "Registered design" in this Act shall mean a design for which a design 
registration has been granted. 
 
Chapter II Design Registrations and Applications for Design Registration 
 
(Conditions for Design Registration) 
Article 3  (1) A creator of a design that is industrially applicable may be entitled to 3 obtain a design registration for the said design, except for the following: 
(i) Designs that were publicly known in Japan  or a foreign country, prior to the 
filing of the application for design registration; 
(ii) Designs that were described in a distributed publication, or designs that were 
made publicly available through an electric  telecommunication line in Japan or 
a foreign country, prior to the filing of the application for design registration; or 
(iii) Designs similar to those prescribed in the preceding two items. 
(2) Where, prior to the filing of the application for design registration, a person 
ordinarily skilled in the art of the design would  have been able to easily create the 
design based on shape, patterns or colors , or any combination thereof that were 
publicly known in Japan or a foreign country, a design registration shall not be granted for such a design (except for designs prescribed in any of the items of the 
preceding paragraph), notwithstanding the preceding paragraph. 
 
Article 3-2  Where a design in an ap plication for design registration is identical 
with or similar to part of a design described in the statement in the application and drawing, photograph, model or specimen attached to the application of 
another application for design registration which has been filed prior to the date 
of filing of the said application and published after the filing of the said application in the design bulletin under Article 20(3) or Article 66(3) (hereinafter referred to in this Article as the "earlier application"), a design registration shall not be granted for such a design, notwithstanding paragraph (1) of the preceding Article; provided, however, that this shall not apply where the applicant of the said application and the applicant of the earlier application are the same person and the said application was filed before the date when the design bulletin in which the earlier application was published under Article 20(3) (except for a 
design bulletin in which the matters listed in Article 20(3)(iv) were published 
under Article 20(4)) was issued. 
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(Exception to lack of  novelty of design 
Article 4  (1) In the case of a design which has fallen under item (i) or (ii) of Article 
3(1) against the will of the person having the right to obtain a design registration, such a design shall be deemed not to have fallen under item (i) or (ii) of Article 3(1) for the purposes of Article 3(1) and (2) for any design in an application for design registration which has been filed by the said person within six months 
from the date on which the design first fell under either of those items. 4 (2) In the case of a design which has fallen under item (i) or (ii) of Article 3(1) as a 
result of an act of the person having the right to obtain a design registration (excluding those which have fallen under item (i) or (ii) of Article 3(1) by being published in a gazette relating to an invention, utility model, design or trademark), the preceding paragraph shall also apply for the purposes of Article 3(1) and (2) to any design in an application for design registration which has been filed by the said person within six months from the date on which the design first fell under either of those items. 
to the Commissioner of the Patent Office, at the time of filing of the application for 
design registration, a document stating thereof and, within thirty days from the date of filing of the application for design registration, a document proving the fact that the design which has otherwise fallen under item (i) or (ii) of Article 3(1) is a design to which the preceding paragraph  (referred to as a "certificate" in the 
following paragraph) may be applicable. 
(4) Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, where, due to reasons beyond the 
control of a person who submits a certificate, the person is unable to submit the certificate within the time limit as provided in the said paragraph, the person 
may submit to the Commissioner of the Pa tent Office the certificate within 14 
days (where overseas resident, within two months) from the date on which the 
reasons ceased to be applicable, but not later than six months following the expiration of the said time limit. 
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(Unregistrable designs) 
Article 5  Notwithstanding Article 3, the following designs shall not be registered. 
(i) a design which is liable to injure public order or morality; (ii) a design which is liable to create confusion with an article pertaining to 
another person's business; or 
(iii) a design solely consis ting of a shape that is indispensable for securing 
functions of the article. 
 
(Provisional non-exclusive license) 
Article 5-2  (1) A person who has the right to obtain a design registration may 
grant a provisional non-exclusive license on the design right to be obtained based 
on the right to obtain a design registration to a third person within the scope of a design stated in the application for design registration and depicted in the 
drawing, or represented in the photograph, model or specimen attached to the 5 application or a design similar thereto. 
(2) Where the establishment of a design right has been registered with regard to the 
application for design registration pertaining to the provisional non-exclusive license under the preceding paragraph, a non-e xclusive license shall be deemed to 
have been granted on regard to the desi gn right to a person who has the said 
provisional non-exclusive license to the ex tent permitted by the contract granting 
the said provisional non-exclusive license. 
(3) The provisions of Article 33(2) and (3), 34 -3(4), (6), (8) to (10) and 34-5 of the 
Patent Act (Act No.121 of 1959) shall apply mutatis mutandis to a provisional 
non-exclusive license. In this case, the term "Article 46(1)" in Article 34-3(8) of the Patent Act shall be deemed to be replaced with "Article 13(2) of the Design Act," the term "Article 46(2) of the Patent Act with regard to an application for design registration pertaining to a provisional non-exclusive license under Article 5-2(1) of the Design Act (Act No.125 of 1959)" in Article 34-3(9) of the Patent Article shall be deemed to be replaced with "Article 13(1) of the Design Act with regard to a patent application pertaining to a provisional non-exclusive license under paragraph (1) or (4) of the preceding Article." 
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Article 6  (1) A person requesting a design registration shall submit to the 
Commissioner of the Patent Office an application stating the following matters 
and drawing depicting the design for which registration is requested: 
(i) the name, and domicile or residence of the applicant for the design registration; (ii) the name and domicile or residence of the creator of the design; and (iii) the article to the design. 
(2) Where so provided by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and 
Industry, the applicant may submit photograph, model or specimen representing 
the design for which the registration is requested, in lieu of the drawing in the 
preceding paragraph. In such case, the applicant shall indicate in the application which among photograph, model and specimen is submitted. 
(3) When neither the statement of the article to  the design required under item (iii) 
of paragraph (1), nor the drawing, photograph or model attached to the application would enable a person ordinarily skilled in the art to which the design pertains to understand the material or size of the article, and by this reason such a person would not be able to recognize the design, the material or size of the article to the design shall be specified in the application. 
(4) Where the shape, patterns or colors of the article to the design is changeable 6 based on the function possessed by the article, if the applicant intends to request 
a design registration of the shapes, patterns or colors, or a combination thereof as it appears before, during and after the said change, he/she shall state such an intention and include an explanation of said function of the article in the application. 
(5) Where colors of the design are applied to the drawing, photograph or model to be 
submitted under paragraph (1) or (2), the applicant may omit to apply either black or white to them. 
(6) When the applicant omits to apply black  or white under the preceding paragraph, 
the applicant shall state thereof in the application. 
(7) Where the applicant submits the drawing depicting the design under paragraph 
(1) or the photograph or model representing the  design under paragraph (2), if the 
whole or part of the article to the design is transparent, the applicant shall state thereof in the application. 
 
(One application per design) 
Article 7  An application for design registration shall be filed for each design in 
accordance with a classification of articles as provided by an Ordinance of the 
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. 
 
(Design for a set of articles) 
Article 8  Where two or more articles are used together and are specifically 
designated by an Ordinance of the Mini stry of Economy, Trade and Industry 
(hereinafter referred to as a "Set of Articles"), if the Set of Articles is coordinated as a whole, an application for design registration may be filed as for one design, and the applicant may obtain a design registration, for designs for the articles 
that constitute the Set of Articles. 
 
(Prior application) 
Article 9  (1) Where two or more applications for design registration have been filed 
for identical or similar designs on different dates, only the applicant who filed the 
application for design registration on the earliest date shall be entitled to obtain a design registration for the design. 
(2) Where two or more applications for design registration have been filed for 
identical or similar designs on the same date, only one applicant, who was 
selected by consultations between the applicants who filed the said applications, 7 shall be entitled to obtain a design registration for the design. Where no 
agreement is reached by consultations or consultations are unable to be held, none of the applicants shall be entitled to obtain a design registration for the design. 
(3) Where an application for design registration has been waived, withdrawn or 
dismissed, or where the examiner's decision or appeal/trial decision to the effect that an application for design registration is to be refused has become final and binding, the application for design registration shall, for the purpose of the 
preceding two paragraphs, be deemed never to have been filed; provided, however, 
that this shall not apply to the case where the examiner's decision or appeal/trial decision to the effect that the application for design registration is to be refused has become final and binding on the basis that the latter sentence of the preceding paragraph is applicable to said application for design registration. 
() The Commissioner of the Patent Office sh all, in the case of paragraph (2), order 
the applicants to hold consultations as specified under paragraph (2) and to 
report the result thereof, designating an adequate time limit. 
() Where no report under the preceding paragraph is submitted within the time 
limit designated under said paragraph, the Commissioner of the Patent Office 
may deem that no agreement under  paragraph (2) has been reached. 
 
(Amendment of statement in the application or the drawing, etc., and change of 
gist) 
Article 9-2  Where, after the registration establishing a design right, it is found 
that an amendment made to any statement in the application (excluding the statements listed in items (i) and (ii) of Article 6(1) and the statement made under Article 6(2), the same shall apply to Article 17-2(1) and Article 24(1).) or to the 
drawing, photograph model or specimen attached to the application has changed 
the gist thereof, the application for design registration shall be deemed to have been filed at the time of submission of the written amendment of proceedings therefor. 
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(Related designs) 
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Article 10  (1) Notwithstanding Article 9(1) or (2), an applicant for design 
registration may obtain design registration of a design that is similar to another 
design selected from the applicant's own designs either for which an application 8 for design registration has been filed or for which design registration has been 
granted (hereinafter the selected design is re ferred to as the "Principal Design" 
and a design similar to it is referred to as a "Related Design"), if the filing date of the application for design registration of the Related Design (or when the application for design registration of the Related Design contains a priority claim under Article 43(1), 43-3(1) or 43-3(2) of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 15 of this Act, the filing date of the earliest application, the filing date of an application that is deemed to be the earliest application 
under Article 4.C(4) of the Paris Conv ention for the Protection of Industrial 
Property of March 20, 1883, as revised at  Brussels on December 14, 1900, at 
Washington on June 2, 1911, at Hague on November 6, 1925, at London on June 2, 
1934, at Lisbon on October 31, 1958, and at Stockholm on July 14, 1967, or the 
filing date of an application that is recognized as the earliest application under Article 4.(A)2 of the Paris Convention, hereinafter the same shall apply in this 
paragraph) is on or after the filing date of the application for design registration of the Principal Design and before the date when the design bulletin in which the application for design registration of the Principal Design is published under 
Article 20(3) (except for a design bulletin in which the matters listed in Article 
20(3)(iv) were published under Ar ticle 20(4)) is issued. 
(2) Where an exclusive license has been es tablished for the design right of the 
Principal Design, a design registration shall not be granted to its Related Designs, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph. 
(3) A design registration shall not be granted to a design that is similar only to a 
Related Design to be registered under paragraph (1). 
(4) Where applications for design registration are filed for two or more Related 
Designs pertaining to the Principal Design, Article 9(1) or (2) shall not apply to 
these Related Designs. 
 
(Division of applications for design registration) 
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Article 10-2  (1) An applicant for des ign registration may extract one or more new 
applications for design registration out of a single application for design registration containing two or more designs only while examination, appeal/trial or retrial of the application for design registration is pending. 
(2) Where an application for design regis tration is divided under the preceding 
paragraph, the new application(s) for design registration shall be deemed to have 9 been filed at the time of the filing of the original application; provided, however, 
that this shall not apply for the purposes of applications of Article 4(3) of this Act and Articles 43(1) and (2) of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 15 of this Act (including the cases where they are applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 43-3(3) of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 15(1) of this Act). 
(3) Where a new application for design registration is filed under paragraph (1), any 
statements or documents which have been submitted in relation to the original 
application for design registration and are required to be submitted in relation to 
the new application under Article 4(3) of this Act and Articles 43(1) and (2) of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 15 of this Act (including the cases where they are applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 43-3(3) of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 15(1) of this Act) shall be deemed to have been submitted to the Commissioner of the Patent Office along with the new application for design registration. 
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Article 11  Deleted 
 
Article 12  Deleted 
 
(Conversion of application) 
Article 13  (1) An applicant of a patent may convert the patent application into an 
application for design registration; provided, however, that this shall not apply after the expiration of three months from the date the certified copy of the examiner's initial decision to the effect that the patent application is to be refused has been served. 
(2) An applicant of a utility model registration may convert the application for a 
utility model registration into an application for design registration 
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(3) Where the period as provided in Article 121(1) of the Patent Act is extended 
under Article 4 of said Act, the period as provided in the proviso to paragraph (1) shall be deemed to have been extended only for that period as extended. 
(4) Where an application is converted under paragraph (1) or (2), the original 
application shall be deemed to have been withdrawn. 
(5) An applicant of a patent may, when th ere is a person who has a provisional 
exclusive license on the patent application, may convert the patent application 10 pursuant to paragraph (1) only in the case where the consent of the person is 
obtained. 
(6) Articles 10-2(2) and (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the case of conversion of 
an application under paragraph (1) or (2). 
 
(Special provisions on conversion of application concerning international 
applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty) 
Article 13-2  (1) An international application that has been deemed to be a patent 
application under Article 184-3(1) or 184- 20(4) of the Patent Act may be converted 
to an application for design registration, only after the fees payable under Article 195(2) of said Act have been paid (or, in the case of an international application that is deemed to be a patent application under Article 184-20(4) of said Act, after the ruling as provided in 184-20(4) has been rendered), and, in the case of a Patent Application in Japanese Language under Article 184-6(2) of said Act, the 
procedures under Article 184-5(1) of said Act have been completed, or, in the case of a Patent Application in Foreign Language under Article 184-4(1) of said Act, the procedures under Articles 184-4(1) or (4) and 184-5(1) of said Act have been 
completed. 
(2) An international application that has been deemed to be an application for 
utility model registration under Article 48-3(1) or 48-16(4) of the Utility Model Act (Act No. 123 of 1959) may be converted to an application for design registration, only after the fees payable under Article 54(2 ) of said Act have been 
paid (or, in the case of an international application that is deemed to be an application for utility model registration under Art icle 48-16(4) of said Act, after 
the ruling as provided in Article 48-16(4) has been rendered), and, in the case of a Utility Model Application in Japanese under Article 48-5(4) of said Act, the 
procedures under Article 48-5(1) of said Act have been completed, or, in the case 
of a Utility Model Application in Foreign Language under 48-4(1) of said Act, the procedures under Articles 48-4(1) or (4) and 48-5(1) of said Act have been completed. 
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(Secret design) 
Article 14  (1) An applicant for design registration may request that the design be 
kept in secret for a period that shall be designated in the requ est and shall be no 
more than three years from the date of the registration establishing the design 
right. 11 
(2) A person filing a request prescribed in the preceding paragraph shall submit to 
the Commissioner of the Patent Office, at the time of filing of the application for design registration or payment of registration fee for the first year under Article 42(1), a document stating the following: 
(i) the name and domicile or residence of the applicant for design registration; and (ii) the period for which the secrecy is requested. 
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(3) The applicant for design registration or the holder of design right may request 
extension or reduction of the period for which the secrecy is requested under paragraph (1). 
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(4) The Commissioner of the Patent Office shall disclose the design for which the 
secrecy is requested under paragraph (1) to persons other than the holder of the design right, when: 
(i) consent of the holder of the design right to do so has been obtained; 
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(ii) so requested by a party or an intervenor of examination, appeal/trial, retrial or 
litigation relating to the design or a design identical with or similar to the design; 
(iii) so requested by a court; or 
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(iv) so requested by an interested pers on who has submitted a document stating 
the name of the holder of the design right and the registration number and 
other documents required by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. 
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(Application mutatis mutandis of provisions of the Patent Act) 
Article 15  (1) Articles 38 (joint applica tions), 43(1) to (4), (6) and (7) (procedures 
for a priority claim under the Paris Convention) and 43-3 (priority claims 
recognized under the Paris Convention ) of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis 
mutandis to applications for design registration. In this case, the term "within the time limit provided by Ordinance of Ministry of the Economy, Trade and Industry" in Article 43(1) of said Act shall be deemed to be replaced with "at the time of filing of the application for design registration", "within one year and four 
months from the earliest of the following dates" in Article 43(2) shall be deemed to 12 be replaced with "within three months from the date of filing of the application for 
design registration" and "the preceding two paragraphs" in Article 43-3(3) of said Act shall be deemed to be replaced with "Article 43". 
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(2) Article 33 and Article 34(1), (2) and (4) to (7) of the Patent Act (right to obtain 
patent) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the right to obtain the design registration. 
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(3) Article 35 (excluding except the part pertaining to a provisional exclusive 
license) (inventions by employees) of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to creation of a design by an employee, an officer of a juridical person, or a national or local government employee.  
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C
Chapter III Examination (Article 16 to Article 19) 
(Examination by examiner) 
Article 16  The Commissioner of the Patent Office shall direct the examination of 
applications for design registration by an examiner. 
 
(Examiner's decision of refusal) 
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Article 17  The examiner shall render an examiner's decision to the effect that an 
application for design registration is to be refused where the application for design registration falls under any of the following: 
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(i) the design in the application for design registration is not registrable under 
Article 3, 3-2, 5, 8, 9(1) or (2), 10(1) to (3) of this Act, Article 38 of the Patent Act 
as applied under Article 15(1) of this Act,  or Article 25 of the Patent Act as 
applied under Article 68(3) of this Act; 
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(ii) the design in the application for design registration is not registrable under 
the provisions of any relevant treaty; 
(iii) the application for design registration does not comply with the requirements 
under Article 7; and 
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 (iv) where an applicant of a design registration does not have the right to obtain 
a design registration on the design for the said design. 13  
(Dismissal of amendments) 
Article 17-2  (1) Where an amendment made to any statement in the application, 
or to the drawing, photograph, model or specimen attached to the application has changed the gist thereof, the examiner sh all dismiss the amendment by a ruling. 
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(2) The ruling dismissing an amendment under the preceding paragraph shall be 
made in writing and state the reasons therefor. 
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(3) Where the ruling dismissing an amendment under the preceding paragraph (1) 
has been rendered, the examiner shall not render a decision on the application for design registration before the expiration of three months from the date on which a certified copy of the ruling has been served. 
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(4) Where an applicant for design registration  files a request for appeal against an 
examiner's ruling dismissing an amendment under paragraph 1, examination of 
the application for design registration shall be suspended until the appeal/trial 
decision becomes final and binding. 
 
(New application for amended design) 
Article 17-3  (1) Where an applicant for design registration files, within three 
months from the date on which a certified copy of the ruling dismissing an amendment under paragraph 1 of the preceding Article has been served, a new application for design registration for the amended design, the new application shall be deemed to have been filed at the time when the written amendment of proceedings for the said amendment was submitted. 
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(2) Where a new application for design registration is filed under the preceding 
paragraph, the original application for design registration shall be deemed to have been withdrawn. 
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(3) The preceding two paragraphs shall apply only when the applicant for design 
registration has submitted to the Commissioner of the Patent Office, at the time of the filing of a new application, a document stating a request for the application of paragraph 1 to the new application for design registration under paragraph 1. 
 14 
Article 17-4  (1) The Commissioner of the  Patent Office may, upon request or ex 
officio, extend the period provided for in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article for a person in a remote area or an area with transportation difficulty. 
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(2) The chief administrative judge may, upon re quest or ex officio, extend the period 
provided for in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 50(1) (including its application under Article 57(1)) for a 
person in a remote area or an area with transportation difficulty. 
 
(Examiner's decision to the effect that a design registration is to be granted) 
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Article 18  Where no reasons for refusal are found for an application for design 
registration, the examiner shall render a decis ion to the effect that a design 
registration is to be granted. 
 
(Application mutatis mutandis of provisions of the Patent Act) 
Article 19  Articles 47(2) (qualifications of  examiners), 48 (exclusion of examiners), 
50 (notice of reasons for refusal), 52 (formal requirements for decision) and 54 (in 
relation to litigation) of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to examination of applications of design registration. 
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Chapter IV Design Right 
 
Section 1 Design Rights (Article 20 to Article 36) 
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(Registration of establishment of a design right) 
Article 20  (1) A design right shall become effective upon registration of its 
establishment. 
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(2) The establishment of a design right shall be registered where the registration fee 
for the first year under Article 42(1) has been paid. 
(3) Where the registration under the p receding paragraph has been effected, the 
following matters shall be published in the design bulletin: 
(i) the name, and the domicile or residence of the holder(s) of the design right; 
(ii) the number and the filing date of the application for the design registration; 15 (iii) the registration number and the date of registration of establishment; 
(iv) the contents of the application and drawing, photograph, model or specimen 
attached to the application; and 
(v) other necessary matters. 
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(4) With regard to the design for which secrecy is requested under Article 14(1), 
notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, matters provided for in item (iv) of the preceding Article shall be published without delay after the lapse of the period 
designated under Article 14(1). 
 
(Duration of design rights) 
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Article 21  (1) The duration of a design  right (excluding design  right of a Related 
Design) shall expire after a period of 20 years from the date of registration of its establishment. 
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(2) The duration of a Related Design shall expire after a period of 20 years from the 
date when the establishment of the design right of its Principal Design is 
registered. 
 
(Transfer of the design right of a Related Design) 
Article 22  (1) The design right of a Principal Design and that of its Related Design 
may not be transferred independently of each other. 
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(2) Where the design right of a Pr incipal Design has been extinguished under 
Article 44(4), appeal/trial decision to the effect that the design right of a Principal 
Design is to be invalidated has become f inal and binding, or the design right of a 
Principal Design has been waived, the design  right of its Related Design thereof 
may not be transferred independently. 
 
(Effect of design right) 
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Article 23  A holder of a design right shall have the exclusive right to work the 
registered design and designs similar thereto as a business; provided, however, that where an exclusive license regarding the design right is granted to a licensee, 
this shall not apply to the extent that the exclusive licensee is licensed to 16 exclusively work the registered design and designs similar thereto. 
 
(Scope of registered design, etc.) 
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Article 24  (1) The scope of a registered  design shall be determined based upon the 
design stated in the application and depic ted in the drawing or represented in the, 
photograph, model or specimen attached to the application. 
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(2) Whether a registered design is identical with or similar to another design shall 
be determined based upon the aesthetic impression that the designs would create through the eye of their consumers. 
 
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Article 25  (1) A request may be made to the Patent Office for its advisory opinion 
on the scope of a registered design and designs similar thereto. 
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(2) Where a request under the preceding paragraph is made, the Commissioner of 
the Patent Office shall designate three administrative judges to make an advisory 
opinion on the requested matter. 
(3) Article 71(3) and (4) of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to the 
advisory opinion under paragraph (1). 
 
Article 25-2  (1) Where the Commissioner of the Patent Office is commissioned by 
the court for the provision of an expert opinion on the s cope of a registered design 
and designs similar thereto, the Commissioner of the Patent Office shall appoint three administrative judges and direct them to provide an expert opinion on the 
requested matter. 
(2) Article 71-2(2) of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to the 
commissioning of the provision of an expert opinion prescribed in the preceding paragraph. 
 
(Relationship to registered des igns, etc. held by others) 
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Article 26  (1) Where a registered desig n uses another person's registered design, 
patented invention or registered utility model for which an application was filed 
prior to the date of filing of the application for the said design, or a design similar 17 to another person's registered design, or w here part of a design right pertaining to 
the registered design is in conflict with another person's patent right, utility model right or trademark right obtained ba sed on an application filed prior to the 
date of filing of the application for the said registered design, or copyright which arose prior to the date of filing of the application for the said registered design, the holder of the said design right or exclusive licensee or non-exclusive licensees of the said design right may not work the said registered design as a business. 
(2) Where a design similar to a registered design uses another person's registered 
design, patented invention or registered utility model for which an application 
was filed prior to the date of filing of the application for the said design, or a design similar to another person's registered  design, or where part of a design 
right pertaining to designs similar to the registered design is in conflict with another person's design righ t, patent right, utility model right or trademark right 
obtained based on an application filed prior to the date of filing of the application for the said registered design, or copyright which arose prior to the date of filing of the application for the said registered design, the holder of the said design right or exclusive licensee or non-exclusive licensees of the said design right may not 
work such similar design as a business. 

(Special provisions for pertaining to  transfer of a design right) 

Article 26-2  (1) Where a design registra tion falls under the requirements provided 
for in Article 48(1)(i) (limited to cases where the design registration has been granted obtained in violation of Article 38 of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis in Article 15(1)) or in Article 48(1 )(iii), a person who has the right to 
obtain a design registration on the design pertaining to the said design 
registration may, pursuant to the provision of an Ordinance of the Ministry of 
Economy, Trade and Industry, request an owner the holder of the design right 
to transfer the said design right as provi ded by an Ordinance of the Ministry of 
Economy, Trade and Industry. 

(2) A request with regard to the desi gn right of a Principal Design or a Related 
Design under the preceding paragraph may not be filed after any of the right of its Principal Design or its Related Desi gn has been extinguished, unless the 
extinguished design right has been deemed never to have existed from the 
beginning under Article 49. 18 
(3) Where the transfer of a design right has been registered based on the request 
under paragraph (1), the design right shall be deemed to have belonged to a person who has obtained the said registration from the beginning. The same shall apply to the right to claim on the design perta ining to the said design right under 
Article 60-12(1). 

(4) Where a share of a jointly owned design  right is transferred based on the request 
under paragraph (1), Article 73(1) of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis 
pursuant to Article 36 of this Act shall not apply. 

(Exclusive license) 
Article 27  (1) A holder of a design right may grant an exclusive license on the 
design right; provided, however, an exclusi ve license on a design right of a 
Principal Design or exclusive licenses on des ign rights of its Related Designs may 
be granted only where all the exclusive licenses on the design rights of the 
Principal Design and its Related Designs are granted to the same person at the 
same time. 
(2) An exclusive licensee shall have an exclusive right to work the registered design 
or designs similar thereto as a business to the extent permitted by the contract granting the license. 

(3) Where the design right of a Pr incipal Design has been extinguished under 
Article 44(4), appeal/trial decision to the effect that the design right of a Principal Design is to be invalidated has become f inal and binding, or the design right of a 
Principal Design has been wa ived, exclusive licenses on  design rights of its 
Related Designs may be granted only where all the exclusive licenses on the 
design rights of the Related Designs are granted to the same person at the same time. 

(4) Articles 77 (iii) to (v) (Transfer, etc.), 97(2 ) (Waiver, etc.) an d 98(1)(ii) and (2) 
(effect of registration) of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to exclusive licenses. 
 
(Non-exclusive license) 
Article 28  (1) A holder of a design right may grant a non-exclusive license on the 19 design right to any third party. 

(2) A non-exclusive licensee shall have a right to work the registered design or 
designs similar thereto as a business to the extent prescribed by this Act or 
permitted by the contract granting the license. 

(3) Articles 73(1) (joint ownership), 97(3) (waiver) and 99 (perfection of 
non-exclusive license) of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to 
non-exclusive licenses. 
 
(Non-exclusive license based on prior use) 
Article 29  A person who, without knowledge of a design in an application for 
design registration, created a design identical or similar to the said design, or a person who, without knowledge of a de sign in an application for design 
registration, learned of the design from a person who created a design identical or similar to the said design, and has been working the design or a design similar 
thereto or preparing for the working of the design or a design similar thereto in 
Japan at the time of the filing of the application for design registration (where the 
application for design registration is deemed to have been filed at the time of submission of the written amendment of proceedings under Article 9-2 or 17-3(1) (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 50(1) (including the cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 57(1)), at the time of filing the original application or the written amendment of proceedings), shall have a non-exclusive license on the design right, only to the extent of the design and the purpose of such business worked or prepared. 
 
(Non-exclusive license based on prior application) 
Article 29-2  A person who, without knowledge of a design in an application for 
design registration, created a design identical or similar to the said design, or a person who, without knowledge of a de sign in an application for design 
registration, learned the design from a person who created a design identical or similar to the said design, and has been working the design or a design similar 
thereto or preparing for the working of the design or a design similar thereto in Japan at the time of the filing of the application for design registration (excluding 
a person falling under the preceding paragraph), shall have a non-exclusive 20 license on the design right, only if both of the following conditions are satisfied 
and only to the extent of the design and the purpose of such business worked or prepared:. 

(i) the person filed an application for design registration of the design in the said 
application for design registration or design similar thereto prior to the date of filing of the said application, and ha s been working the design in the 
application or preparing for the working of the design in the application, and 
(ii) with regard to the application for design registration filed by the person as 
prescribed in the preceding item, an examiner's decision or appeal/trial decision to the effect that the application is to be refused on the ground that the design in the application falls under any of items  of Article 3(1) has become final and 
binding. 

(Non-exclusive licenses by due to the working of the design prior to the before 
registration of transfer of a design right) 
Article 29-3  A person who had had a design right, an exclusive license on the 
design right or a non-exclusive license on the design right or the exclusive license 
at the time of the registration of transfer of design right based on the request pursuant to Article 26-2(1), and is doing a business working a design in Japan or  
preparing such business, before the registration of transfer of the design right, 
without knowledge that the design registration falls under the requirements as provided in Article 48(1)(i) (limited to cases where the design registration has been obtained in violation of Article 38 of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis in Article 15(1) of this Act) or Article 48(1)(iii), shall have a non-exclusive license on the design right only to the extent of the design and the 
purpose of such business worked or prepared. 
(2) A request with regard to the design  right of a the Principal Design or a the 
Related Design under the preceding paragraph may not be filed after any of the right of its the Principal Design or its the Related Design has been extinguished, 
unless the extinguished design right has been deemed never to have existed from 
the beginning under Article 49. 

(Non-exclusive license due to the working of the design prior to the registration of 
the request for invalidation trial) 
Article 30  (1) A person falling under a ny of the following items, who is doing a 21 business working a design or a design similar thereto in Japan or preparing such 
business, before the registration of a request for invalidation trial of the design registration, without knowledge that the design registration falls under any of the items of Article 48(1), shall have a non-exclusive license regarding the invalidated design right or the exclusive license existing  at the time of the invalidation, only 
to the extent of the design and the purpose of such business worked or prepared: 

(i) the original holder of a design right in the case where one of two or more design 
registrations granted for the same or similar design has been invalidated, 

(ii) the original holder of a design right in the case where, after a design 
registration has been invalidated, a design registration is granted to the person who is entitled to obtain a design registration for the same or similar design, 

(iii) in the case referred to in items (i) and (ii), a person that, at the time of the 
registration of the request for invalidation trial of design registration, has an exclusive license regarding the design right pertaining to the design 
registration to be invalidated, or a non-ex clusive license regarding the design 
right or an exclusive li cense.on the design right 

(2) The holder of a design right or the exclusive licensee shall have a right to receive 
reasonable consideration from the non-exclusive licensee under the preceding paragraph. 
 
(Non-exclusive license after expiration of duration of desi gn right, etc.) 
Article 31  (1) Where part of a design right that pertains to designs similar to the 
registered design with regard to an appli cation for a design registration filed on or 
before the date of filing of a design application  is in conflict with the design right 
with regard to the design application, the original holder of design right shall, upon expiration of the duration of the design right, have a non-exclusive license on the said design right or on the exclusive license actually existing at the tie of 
expiration of the duration of the design right,  limited to the extent of the original 
design right. 
(2) The preceding paragraph shall apply mutatis mutandis to the case where a 
patent right or utility model right with regard  to an application for registration 
filed on or before the date of filing of a design application is in conflict with the 22 design right with regard to the design application upon expiration of the duration 
of the patent right or utility model right. 
 

Article 32  (1) Where part of a design right that pertains to designs similar to the 
registered design with regard to an appli cation for a design registration filed on or 
before the date of filing of a design application  is in conflict with the design right 
with regard to the design application, a p erson who, at the time of expiration of 
the duration of the design right, actually owns the exclusive license on the expired 
design right, or a non-ex clusive license on the desig n right or on the exclusive 
license shall, upon expiration of the duration of the design right, have a non-exclusive license on the design right or on the exclusive license actually 
existing at the time of expiration of the duration of the design right, limited to the extent of the original right. 

(2) The preceding paragraph shall apply mutatis mutandis to the case where a 
patent right or utility model right with regard  to an application for registration 
filed on or before the date of filing of a design application is in conflict with the 
design right with regard to the design application upon expiration of the duration 
of the patent right or utility model right. 

(3) The holder of a design right or the exclusive licensee shall have a right to receive 
reasonable consideration from the non-exclusi ve licensee under the preceding two 
paragraphs. 
 
(Award granting non-exclusive license) 
Article 33  (1) Where a registered design or a design similar thereto falls under any 
of the cases as provided in Article 26, the holder or exclusive licensee of the design right may request the other person under the said Article to hold consultations to discuss granting a non-exclusive license to work the registered design or a design similar thereto or a non-exclusive license on the patent right or the utility model right. 

(2) The other person under Article 26 who is requested to hold consultations under 
the preceding paragraph may request the holder of design right or exclusive 
licensee requesting such consultations to hold consultations to discuss granting a 23 non-exclusive license to the extent of the registered design or a design similar 
thereto that the said holder of design right or exclusive licensee intends to work with a non-exclusive license on the desi gn right, on the patent right or on the 
utility model right granted through consultations 

(3) Where no agreement is reached by consultations or no consultations are able to 
be held as provided in paragraph (1), the holder of design right or the exclusive licensee may request the Commissioner of the Patent Office for an award. 
(4) Where no agreement is reached by consultations or no consultations are able to 
be held as provided in paragraph (2) and where  a request for an award is filed 
under the preceding paragraph, the other person under Article 26 may request the Commissioner of the Patent Office for an award only within the time limit for the submission of a written answer by the said other person designated by the Commissioner of the Patent Office under Article 84 of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis under paragraph (7) . 
(5) In the case of paragraph (3) or (4), the Commissioner of the Patent Office shall 
not render an award to the effect that a non-exclusive license is to be granted 
where the granting of the non-exclusive lic ense will be unreasonably prejudicial 
to the interests of the other person under Article 26, the holder of design right or the exclusive licensee. 

(6) In the case of paragraph (4), in addition  to the case provided for in the preceding 
paragraph, the Commissioner of the Patent Office shall not render an award ordering a non-exclusive license to be granted if an award ordering a non-exclusive license to be granted is n ot rendered with respect to the request for 
an award under paragraph (3). 

(7) Articles 84, 84-2, 85(1) and 86 to 91 -2 (procedures for award) of the Patent Act 
shall apply mutatis mutandis to the award under paragraph (3) or (4). 
(Transfer, etc. of non-exclusive license) 
Article 34  (1) Except for a non-exclusive license granted by an award under 
paragraph (3) or (4) of the preceding Article, Article 92(3) of the Patent Act or Article 22(3) of the Utility Model Act, a no n-exclusive license may be transferred 
only where the business involving the working of the relevant design is also transferred, where the consent of the holder of a design right (or, in the case of a 
non-exclusive license on the exclusive li cense, the holder of a design right and the 24 exclusive licensee) is obtained and where the tr ansfer occurs as a result of general 
succession including inheritance. 

(2) Except for a non-exclusive license gran ted by an award under paragraph (3) or 
(4) of the preceding Article, Article 92(3) of the Patent Act or Article 22(3) of the Utility Model Act, a non-exclusive licensee  may establish a right of pledge on the 
non-exclusive right only where the consent of  the holder of a design right (or, in 
the case of a non-exclusive license on the exclusive license, the holder of a design 
right and the exclusive licensee) is obtained. 

(3) Where a non-exclusive license is granted  by an award under paragraph (3) of the 
preceding Article, Article 92(3) of the Patent Act or Article 22(3) of the Utility Model Act, the said non-exclusive license shall be transferred together with the design right, patent right or utility model right of the non-exclusive licensee on which the non-exclusive license is granted an d the business involving the working 
of the relevant design in the case where each right is transferred together with the said business, and shall be exting uished in the case where each right of the 
said non-exclusive licensee is extinguished or transferred independently of the 
said business. 

(4) A non-exclusive license granted by an award under paragraph (4) of the 
preceding Article shall be transferred together with the design right, patent right 
or utility model right of the non-exclusive licensee on which the non-exclusive license is granted, and shall be exting uished in the case where the said design 
right, patent right or utility m odel right is extinguished. 
 
(Right of pledge) 
Article 35  (1) Unless otherwise agreed by contract, where a right of pledge is 
established on a design right, exclusive  license or non-exclusive license, the 
pledge may not work the registered design or design similar thereto. 

(2) Article 96 (extension of a right of pledge to the proceeds of the patent right, etc.) 
of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to a right of pledge established on a design right, exclusive license or non-exclusive license. 

(3) Article 98(1)(iii) and (2) (Effect of registration) of the Patent Act shall apply 25 mutatis mutandis to a right of pledge establis hed on a design right or exclusive 
license. 
 
(Application mutatis mutandis of provisions of the Patent Act) 

Article 36  Articles 69(1) and (2) (Limi tations of patent right), 73 (Jointly owned 
patent rights), 76 (Lapse of patent rights in absence of heir), 97(1) (Waiver of 
patent right, etc.) and 98(1)(i) and (ii) (Effect of registration) of the Patent Act 
shall apply mutatis mutan dis to design rights. 

SSection 2 Infringement of rights (Article 37 to Article 41) 
(Right to seek injunction) 

Article 37  (1) A holder of a design righ t or an exclusive licensee may demand of a 
person who infringes or is likely to infring e the design right or exclusive license to 
stop or prevent such infringement. 

(2) In making a demand under the pre ceding paragraph, the holder of a design right 
or an exclusive licensee may demand mea sures necessary for the prevention of 
such infringement including the disposal of products constituting such act of infringement (including Computer Program, etc. (refers to Computer Program, 
etc. as provided in Article 2(4) of the Patent Act; the same shall apply for the following Article); the same shall apply hereinafter) and the removal of facilities used for the act of infringement. 

(3) With regard to a design for which secrecy is requested under Article 14(1), the 
holder of the design right or the exclusive licensee may not make a demand under paragraph (1) unless he/she has giv en warning with documents stating the 
matters listed in Article 20(3) and cert ified by the Commissioner of the Patent 
Office. 
 
(Acts Deemed to constitute infringement) 
Article 38  The following acts shall be deemed to constitute infringement of a 
design right or an exclusive license: 
26 (i) acts of producing, assigning, etc. (a ssigning and leasing and, in the case where 
the product is a computer program, etc.,  including providing through an electric 
telecommunication line, the same shall apply hereinafter) or importing or offering for assignment, etc. (including di splaying for the purpose of assignment, 
etc., the same shall apply hereinafter) any product to be used exclusively for the producing of the article to the registered design or a designs similar thereto as a business; and 

(ii) acts of possessing an article to the registered design or a design similar 
thereto for the purpose of assigning, leas ing or exporting it as a business. 
 
(Presumption of Amount of Damage, etc.) 
Article 39  (1) Where a holder of desig n right or an exclusive licensee claims 
against an infringer compensation for damages sustained as a result of the intentional or negligent infringement of the des ign right or exclus ive license, and 
the infringer assigned articles that composed the act of infringement, the amount of damages sustained by the holder of such  design right or the exclusive licensee 
may be presumed to be the amount of profit per each unit of article which would 
have been sold by the holder of the design right or the exclusive licensee if there had been no such act of infringement, multiplied by the quantity (hereinafter referred to in this paragraph as the "assigned quantity" of articles) assigned by the infringer, the maximum of which shall be the amount attainable by the holder of the design right or the exclusive licens ee in light of the capability of the holder 
of the design right or the exclusive li censee to work such articles; provided, 
however, that if any circumstances exist under which the holder of the design right or the exclusive licensee would have been unable to sell the assigned 
quantity in whole or in part, the amount calculated as the number of articles not 
able to be sold due to such circumstances shall be deducted. 

(2) Where a holder of design right or an exclusive licensee claims against an 
infringer compensation for damages sustained as a result of the intentional or negligent infringement of the design right or exclusive license, and the infringer 
earned profits from the act of infringement, the amount of profits earned by the infringer shall be presumed to be the amount of damages sustained by the holder of the design right or exclusive licensee. 
27 (3) A holder of a design right or an exclu sive licensee may claim against an infringer 
compensation for damages sustained as a result of the intentional or negligent infringement of the design right or exclusi ve license, by regarding the amount the 
holder of the design right or exclusive licensee would have been entitled to receive for the working of the registered design or design similar thereto as the amount of damages sustained. 

(4) The preceding paragraphs shall not prevent any relevant party from claiming 
compensation for damages in an amount exceeding the amount provided for 
therein. In such a case, where the infringer committed the infringement of the design right or exclusive license without intent or gross negligence, the court may 
take these circumstances into consideration in determining the amount of damages. 
 
(Presumption of negligence) 
Article 40  An infringer of a design right or an exclusive license of another person 
is presumed negligent in the commission of  the said act of infringement; provided, 
however, that this shall not apply to a design for which secrecy is requested under 
Article 14(1). 
 
(Application mutatis mutandis of provisions of the Patent Act) 

Article 41  Articles 104-2 to 105-6 (O bligation to clarify the specific conditions, 
restrictions on the exercise of rights of patentee, etc., limitation to assertion restriction on claim, production submission of documents, etc., expert opinion for calculation of damages, determination of reasonable damages, protective order, 
rescission of protective order and notice, et c. of a request inspection of record, etc.) 
and 106 (Measures to restore cr edibility) shall apply mutatis mutandis to 
infringement of a design right or an exclusive license. 


Section 3 Registration Fees (Article 42 to Article 45) 

(Registration fees) 
Article 42  (1) A person obtaining the registration establishing a design right, or a 
holder of a design right, shall pay as registration fees the amounts specified in the 
following items, for each design registration and for each year to the expiration of 28 the duration as provided in Article 21: 
(i) First to third year: annually 8,500 yen (ii) Fourth to twentieth y ear: annually 16,900 yen 
(2) The preceding paragraph shall not apply to design rights belonging to the State. 

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph  (1), where a design right is jointly 
owned by the State and any other persons, and the portions of their respective shares of the said design right have been agreed upon, the registration fees 
payable under paragraph (1) shall be  determined as the sum calculated by 
multiplying the applicable registration fees as provided in paragraph (1) by the 
ratio of the share of persons other than the State, and the persons other than the State shall pay such amounts. 
(4) For the amount of registration fees calculated under the preceding paragraph, 
fractional figures of less than ten yen shall be discarded. 
(5) The payment of registration fees under paragraph (1) shall be made by patent 
revenue stamps as provided by an Ordinance  of the Ministry of Economy, Trade 
and Industry; provided, howev er, that where so provided by an Ordinance of the 
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, a cash payment thereof shall be 
accepted. 
 
(Time limit for payment of registration fees) 
Article 43  (1) The registration fee for the first year under Article 42(1)(i) shall be 
paid within 30 days from the date on which a certified copy of the examiner's decision or the appeal/trial decision to the effect that the design is to be registered has been served. 
(2) The registration fees for each year f rom the second and subsequent years under 
Article 42(1) shall be paid by the end of the previous year. 
(3) The Commissioner of the Patent Office may, upon a request by a person by 
whom the registration fees are to be paid, extend the time limit under paragraph (1) by a period not exceeding 30 days. 

(4) Where, due to reasons beyond the control of  a person who pays registration fees, 
the person is unable to pay  the registration fees within the time limit as provided 
in paragraph (1), the person may, notwithstanding the said paragraph, pay the registration fees within 14 days (where overseas resident, within two months) 
from the date on which the reasons ceased to be applicable, but not later than six 29 months following the expiration of the said time limit. 

(Late payment of registration fees) 
Article 44  (1) Where a holder of a desi gn right is unable to pay the registration 
fees within the time limit under Article 43(2), the holder of the design right may make a late payment of the registration fees after the expiration of the said time limit, but not later than 6 months following the expiration of the said time limit. 

(2) The holder of the design right who makes a late payment of the registration fees 
under the preceding paragraph shall pay, in addition to the registration fees to be paid under Article 42(1), a registration surcharge in the same amount as the registration fees. 

(3) The payment of the registration surcharge under the preceding paragraph shall 
be made by patent revenue stamps as provided by an Ordinance of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; provided, ho wever, that where so provided by an 
Ordinance of the Ministry of Economy,  Trade and Industry, a cash payment 
thereof shall be accepted. 

(4) Where a holder of a design right fails to pay, within the time limit for late 
payment of the registration fees under paragraph (1), the registration fees and the registration surcharge under paragraph (2),  the design right shall be deemed 
to have been extinguished retroactively upon expiration of the time limit as provided in the Article 43(2). 
 
(Restoration of design right by late payment of registration fees) 
Article 44-2  (1) Where an original ho lder of a design right which was deemed to 
have been extinguished under paragraph (4) of the preceding Article, has 
justifiable reasons for having been unab le to pay the registration fees and the 
registration surcharge under Articles 44(4) wi thin the time limit for late payment 
of the registration fees under Article 44(1), the original holder of the design right may make a late payment of the registration fees and the surcharge within two months from the date on which the justifiable reasons ceased to exist, but not later than one year following the expiration of the said time limit. 
(2) Where the registration fees and the  surcharge are paid under the preceding 
paragraph, the design right shall be deemed to have been maintained 30 retroactively from the time of expiration of the time limit as provided in Article 
43(2). 
 
(Restriction on effect of restored design right) 
Article 44-3  (1) Where a design right has been restored under paragraph (2) of the 
preceding Article, such design right shall not be effective against an article to the 
registered design or a design similar thereto, which was imported into, manufactured or acquired within Japan after  the lapse of the time limit during 
which the late payment of the registration fees is allowed under Article 44(1) but 
before the registration of the restoration of the design right. 
(2) A design right restored under paragraph 2 of  the preceding Article shall not be 
effective against the following acts conducted after the lapse of the time limit during which the late payment of the registration fees is allowed under Article 44(1) but before the registration of the restoration of the design right: 
(i) the using of the registered design or a design similar thereto; 

(ii) manufacturing, assigning, etc., importing or offering for assignment, etc. of 
any product to be used exclusively for manufacturing an article to the 
registered design or a design similar thereto. ; and 

(iii) possessing an article to the registered design or a design similar thereto for 
the purpose of assigning, leasing or exporting it. 

(Application mutatis mutandis of provisions of the Patent Act) 
Article 45  Article 110 (Payment of patent fees by interested persons) and Article 
111(1) (Excluding item (iii)) to (3) (Refund of patent fees) of the Patent Act shall 
apply mutatis mutandis to registration fees. 

C
Chapter V  Trials and Appeals (Article 46 to Article 52) 
(Appeal against examin er's decision of refusal) 
Article 46  (1) A person who has received an examiner's decision to the effect that 
an application is to be refused and is dissatisfied may file a request for an appeal against the examiner's decision of refusal within three months from the date the certified copy of the examiner's decision has been served. 
(2) Where, due to reasons beyond the control of the person, said person is unable to 31 file a request for appeal against an examiner's decision of refusal within the time 
limit as provided in the preceding paragraph, the said person may, notwithstanding the said paragraph, file the request within 14 days (where overseas resident, within two months) from the date on which the reasons ceased to be applicable, but not later than six months following the expiration of the said time limit. 
 
(Appeal against examiner's ruling dismissing an amendment) 
Article 47  (1) A person who has received an examiner's decision to dismiss an 
amendment under Article 17-2(1) and is dissatisfied may file a request for an appeal against the examiner's ruling dis missing an amendment within three 
months from the date on which the certifi ed copy of the examiner's decision has 
been served; provided, however, that this shall not apply where a new application for design registration under Article 17-3(1) has been filed. 
(2) Paragraph (2) of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to a request 
for appeal against an examiner's ruling dismissing an amendment. 
 
(Invalidation trial of design registration) 
Article 48  (1) Where a design regist ration falls under any of the following, a 
request for invalidation trial of design registration may be filed. 
(i) where the design registration has been granted in violation of Articles 3, 3-2, 5, 
9(1) or (2), 10(2) or (3) of this Act, Articles 38 of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 15(1) of this Act, or Articles 25 of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 68(3) of this Act (where the design registration has been obtained in viola tion of Article 38 as applied 
mutatis mutandis under Article 15(1), excluding the case where the transfer of 
a design right pertaining to the design has been registered based on the request 
under Article 26-2(1)). 
(ii) where the design registration has been granted in violation of a treaty; 

(iii) where the design registration has been granted on an application for design 
registration filed by a person who has not had the right to obtain the design registration for the said design (excluding the case where the transfer of a design right pertaining to the design registration has been registered based on the request under Article 26-2(1)); and 
32 (iv) where, after the grant of a design registration, the holder of the design right 
has become unable to hold a design right under Article 25 of the Patent Act as 
applied mutatis mutandis under Article 68(3) of this Act, or the design registration has become in violation of a treaty. 

(2) Any person may file a request for invalidation trial of design registration; 
provided, however, that where a request for invalidation trial of design 
registration is filed on the ground that the design registration falls under item (i) 
of the preceding paragraph (limited to cases where the design registration is 
obtained in violation of Article 38 of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 15(1) of this Act) or item (iii) of the preceding paragraph, only a person who has the right to obtain a design registration pertaining to the said design registration may file a request for invalidation trial of design registration. 
(3) A request for invalidation trial of design registration may be filed even after the 
lapse of the design right. 

(4) Where a request for invalidation trial of design registration has been filed, the 
chief administrative judge shall notify the ex clusive licensee of the design right 
and other persons who have any registered rights relating to the design registration. 
 
(Trial to invalidate a design registration) 

Article 49  Where a trial decision to the effect that a design registration is to be 
invalidated has become final and binding, the design right shall be deemed never to have existed; provided, however, that where a design registration falls under 
paragraph (1), item (iv) of the preceding Ar ticle and where a trial decision to the 
effect that the design registration is  to be invalidated has become final and 
binding, the design right shall be deemed not to have existed from the time the said item first became applicable to the design registration. 
 
(Application mutatis mutandis of  provisions on examination) 

Article 50  (1) Article 17-2 and Arti cle 17-3 shall apply mutatis mutandis to an 
appeal against an examiner's decision of refusal. In this case, the term "three 
months" in Article 17-2(3) and 17-3(1) shall be deemed to be replaced with "thirty 33 days," and the term "files a request for an  appeal against" in Article 17-2(4) shall 
be deemed to be replaced with "institutes, un der Article 59(1), an  action against." 

(2) Article 18 shall apply mutatis mutandis where a request for appeal against an 
examiner's decision of refusal is found to have reasonable grounds; provided, however, that this shall not apply where a trial decision is made to order a further examination to be carried out under Articl e 161(1) of the Patent Act as applied 
mutatis mutandis under Article 52. 

(3) Article 50 (notice of reasons for refusal) of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis 
mutandis where a reason for refusal which was not contained in an examiner's decision is found in appeal against the examiner's decision of refusal. 
 
(Special provisions for appeal against examiner's ruling dismissing an 
amendment) 

Article 51  Where appeal decision is made to rescind an examiner's ruling in appeal 
against the examiner's ruling dismissing an amendment, the decision made in the 
appeal decision shall be binding upon the examiner with respect to the case. 
 
(Application mutatis mutandis of provisions of the Patent Act) 
Article 52  Articles 131(1) and (2), 13 1-2 (excluding items paragraphs (1)(iii) and 
(2)(i)) to 134, 135 to 154, 155(1) and (2), 15 6(1), (3) and (4), 157, 158, 160(1) and (2), 
161, and 167 to 170 (request for appeal /trial, administrative judge, procedures of 
appeal/trial, relation to litigation and costs of appeal/trial) of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to appeal/trial. In this case, the term ", in appeal/trial 
other than invalidation trial, notify" in Article 156(1) shall be deemed to be 
replaced with "notify" the term "appeal against the examiner's decision of refusal" in Article 161 and the term "appeal against an examiner's decision of refusal and 
correction trial" in Article 169(3) of the said Act shall be deemed to be replaced with "an appeal against an examiner's decision  of refusal and appeal against an 
examiner's ruling dismissing an amendment." 
 
 Chapter VI Retrial and Litigation (Article 53 to Article 60-2) 

(Request for retrial) 34 Article 53  (1) A party or an intervenor may file a request for a retrial against a 
final and binding trial decision. 

(2) Articles 338(1), 338(2) and 339 (Groun ds for retrial) of the Code of Civil 
Procedure (Act No.109 of 1996) shall apply mutatis mutandis to a request for a retrial under the preceding paragraph. 
 
Article 54  (1) Where a demandant for a trial, in conspiracy with the demandee, 
has caused the trial decision to be rendered for the purpose of harming the right 
or interest of a third party, the third party may file a request for a retrial against the final and binding trial decision. 
(2) A request for a retrial under the prec eding paragraph shall be filed against the 
demandant and the demandee in the trial as joint demandees. 
 
(Restriction on effect of design right restored by retrial) 
Article 55  (1) Where a design right pertaining to an invalidated design 
registration has been restored by a retrial, such design right shall not be effective 
against any article to the registered desig n or a design similar thereto, which was 
imported into or manufactured or acquired in Japan without knowledge, after the trial decision became final and binding but before the registration of the request 
for a retrial. 

(2) Where a design right pertaining to an invalidated design registration has been 
restored by a retrial, such design right shall not be effective against the following acts conducted after the trial decision be came final and binding but before the 
registration of the request for a retrial: 
(i) using of the said design or a design similar thereto without knowledge; 

(ii) producing, assigning, etc., importing or offering for assignment, etc., any 
product to be used exclusively for the manufacturing of an article to the 
registered design or a design similar thereto without knowledge; and 

(iii) possessing an article to the register ed design or a design similar thereto for 
the purpose of assigning, leasing or exporting it without knowledge. 
 
Article 56  Where a design right pert aining to an invalidated design registration 35 has been restored through a retrial or where the establishment of a design right 
with respect to an application for design registration refused by a trial decision has been registered through a retrial, and where a person has, without knowledge, been using the design or a design s imilar thereto in Japan or has, without 
knowledge, been making preparations therefor, after the trial decision became final and binding but before the registration of the demand for a retrial, such person shall have a non-exclusive license on the design right, to the extent of the 
design and the purpose of such business used or prepared. 
 
(Application mutatis mutandis of provisions on trial) 
Article 57  (1) Article 50(1) and (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis to a retrial 
against a final and binding trial decisi on in appeal against an examiner's decision 
of refusal. 
(2) Article 51 shall apply mutatis mutandis to a retrial against a final and binding 
trial decision in appeal against an examiner's ruling dismissing an amendment. 

(Application mutatis mutandis of provisions of the Patent Act) 
Article 58  (1) Articles 173 and 174(5) of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis 
mutandis to a retrial. 

(2) Articles 131(1), the main clause of 131- 2(1), 132(3) and (4), 133, 133-2, 134(4), 
135 to 147, 150 to 152, 155(1), 156(1), (3) and (4), 157, 158,  160, the main clause of 
167-2, 168, 169(3) to (6), and 170 of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis 
to a retrial against a final and binding trial decision in appeal against an examiner's decision of refusal. In this case, the term "appeal against an examiner's decision of refusal and a trial for correction" in Article 169(3) of the 
said Act shall be deemed to be replaced  with "appeal against an examiner's 
decision of refusal." 

(3) Articles 131(1), the main clause of 131- 2(1), 132(3) and (4), 133, 133-2, 134(4), 
135 to 147, 150 to 152, 155(1) , 156(1), (3) and (4), 157,  the main clause of 167-2, 
168, 169(3) to (6), and 170 of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to a 
retrial against a final and binding appeal/trial decision in appeal against an examiner's ruling dismissing an amendment. In this case, the term "appeal 
against an examiner's decision of refusal and correction trial" in Article 169(3) of 
the said Act shall be deemed to be replaced with "appeal against an examiner's 36 ruling dismissing an amendment." 

(4) Article 174(3) of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to retrial against a 
final and binding trial decision in invalidation trial of design registration 

(Actions against appeal/trial decisions, etc.) 
Article 59  (1) The Tokyo High Court sh all have exclusive jurisdiction over any 
action against appeal/trial decision, a ruling dismissing an amendment under 
Article 17-2(1) as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 50(1) (including its 
application under Article 57(1)), and a ruling to dismiss a written request for appeal/trial or a retrial. 

(2) Articles 178(2) to (6) (Statute of limitations for filing an action, etc.), 179 
(Appropriate party as defendant), 180(1) (Notice of institution of action) and 180-2 to 182 (Opinion of the Commiss ioner of the Patent Office in litigation 
rescinding the appeal/trial decision, rescission of the appeal/trial decision or ruling and delivery of original copy of judgmen t) of the Patent Act shall apply 
mutatis mutandis to an action under the preceding paragraph. In this case, the 
term "necessary for identifying claims pertaining to an action with respect to which" in Article 182(ii) shall be deemed to be replaced with "stating that" 
 
(Action against amount of compensation) 
Article 60  (1) A person(s) who has recei ved an award under Article 33(3) or (4) 
may, if not satisfied with the amount of the compensation determined in the award, institute an action demanding an increase or decrease of the said amount. 

(2) Articles 183(2) (Statute of limitations for filing an action) and 184 (Standing as 
defendant) of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to an action under the preceding paragraph. 
 
(Relationship between (administrative) objection and litigation) 
Article 60-2  Article 184-2 (Relationship between (administrative) objection and 
litigation) of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to an action demanding the rescission of dispositions imposed by this Act or an order thereunder (excluding dispositions under Article 68(7)). 
37 CChapter VI-2  Special Provisions based on Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement 
concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs 
 (Article 60-3 to Article 60-23) 

Section 1 Application for International Registration  

(Application for International registration) 
Article 60-3  (1) A Japanese national or a foreign national domiciled or resident (or, 
in the case of a juridical person, with a bu siness office) in Japan may file to the 
Commissioner of the Patent Office an international application as provided in Article 1(vii) of Geneva Act of the Hauge Agreement concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs (hereinafter referred to as "Geneva Act") (hereinafter referred to as "international application"). In this case, where the requirements as provided by Ordinance of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are satisfied, two or more pers ons may jointly file  an international 
application. 
 
(2) A person filing an international application under the preceding paragraph 
(hereinafter referred to as "application for i nternational registration") shall submit an 
application written in a foreign language and necessary materials as provided by 
Ordinance of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. 

(Application mutatis mutandis of provisio ns related to applications for design 
registration) 
Article 60-4  The provisions of Articles 17(3 ) (limited to the part pertaining to (iii)) 
and 18(1) of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 68(2) of 
this Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to the application for international 
registration. 

(Delegation to Ordinance of the Minis try of Economy, Trade and Industry) 
Article 60-5  In addition to those prescribed  in the preceding two Articles, details of 
matters necessary for enforcing Geneva Act and the rules under Geneva Act relating to application for international registration shall be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. 

Section 2 Special Provisions Concerning International Applications for 38 DDesign Registration (Article 60-6 to Article 60-23) 

(Application for design registration based on International Application) 
Article 60-6  (1) An international applicat ion designating Japan as a designated 
Contracting Party under Article 1 (xix) of  Geneva Act, where publication of an 
international registration under Article 1 (vi) of Geneva Act (hereinafter referred to as "international registration") pertaining to the International Application (hereinafter referred to as "international publication") have been made under 
Article 10(3)(a) of Geneva Act shall be deemed to be an application for design 
registration filed on an international registration date under Article 10(2) of Geneva Act (hereinafter referred to as  "date of the international registration"). 
(2) For the purpose of application of the preceding paragraph to an international 
application including two or more designs, "an application for design registration filed" in the said paragraph shall read "an application for design registration filed for each design that is the subject of an international registration". 

(3) Matters listed in the left columns of the following table recorded on 
International Register under Article 1(viii) of Geneva Act (hereinafter referred to 
as "International Register") pertaining to  an international application deemed to 
be an application for design registration under paragraph (1) (including cases of replacing under the preceding paragraph) (hereinafter referred to as "international application for design registration") shall be deemed to be the matters listed in the right columns of the said table stated in an application submitted under Article 6(1) of this Act. 


the name, and domicile or residence of 
the registered person of an international 
registration; 
the name, and domicile or residence of 
the applicant for design registration; 

the name and the domicile of a person 
who has created a design that is the 
subject of an international registration; 
the name, and the domicile or residence 
of a person who has created a design; 
 
one or more products that constitute a 
design that is the subject of an 
the article to the design; 39 international registration, or one or 
more products that will use a design 
that is the subject of an international 
registration; 


(4) The design recorded on International Register concerning international 
applications for design registration shall be deemed to be a design for which 
registration is requested, which is depicted in the drawing submitted under 
Article 6(1) of this Act. 

(Special provision for exception to lack of novelty of design) 

Article 60-7  Notwithstanding Arti cle 4(3), an applicant of an international 
application for design registration who requests the application of Article 4(2) may submit to the Commissioner of the Patent Office, after the date of international publication, but not later than the time limit as provided in 
Ordinance of the Ministry of Economy, T rade and Industry, a document stating 
thereof and a document proving the fact that the design which has fallen under items (i) and (ii) of Article 3(1) is a des ign to which Article 4(2) may be applicable. 

(Special provision for registration of related designs) 
Article 60-8  For the purpose of application of Article 10(1) in the case where either 
or both of the application for design registration of a principal design and the application for design registration of a related design are international applications for design registration, "or under Article 43-3(1) or (2)" in the said 
paragraph shall read "or under Article 43-3(1) or (2), or Article 6(1)(a) of Geneva 
Act." 

(Special provision for secret designs) 
Article 60-9  Article 14 shall not apply to the applicant of an international 
application for design registration. 

(Special provisions for procedures for a priority claim under the Paris Convention, 
etc.) 
40 Article 60-10  (1) Articles 43(1) to (4), (6) and (7) (including its mutatis mutandis 
application in Article 43-3(3) of Patent Act to be applied mutatis mutandis in Article 15(1)) and 43-3(2) of Patent Act to be applied mutatis mutandis in Article 15(1) shall not apply to international applications for design registration. 

(2) Article 43(2) to (4), (6) and (7) of Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to a 
person who has made a declaration of priority under Article 6(1)(a) of Geneva Act. In this case "within one year and four months from the earliest of the following 
dates" in Article 43(2) of the said Act shall be replaced with "within the time limit 
provided by Ordinance of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry." 

(Special provisions for the right to obtain a design registration) 
Article 60-11  (1) For the purpose of ap plication of Article 34(4) of Patent Act as 
applied mutatis mutandis under Article 15(2) of this Act to an international application for design registration, "except in the case of general successions including inheritance, ... the Commissioner of the Patent Office " in the said paragraph shall read "the International Bureau under Article 1(xxviii) of Geneva 
Act". 

(2) Article 34(5) and (6) as applied mutatis mut andis under Article 15(2) of this Act 
shall not apply to the international application for design registration. 

(Effect etc., of international publication) 

Article 60-12  (1) After the international publication, where the applicant of an 
international application for design registration has given warning with 
documents stating the design in the international application for design 
registration, the applicant of the international application for design registration may claim compensation against a person wh o has worked the design in the 
international application for design registration or designs similar thereto, as a business after the warning, prior to the registration establishing a design right, and the amount of compensation shall be  equivalent to the amount the applicant 
would be entitled to receive for the working of the registered design or designs similar thereto if the design in the international application for design registration was the registered design. Even where the said warning has not been 
given, the same shall apply to a person who worked the design in the 41 international application for design registration or designs similar thereto as a 
business prior to the registration establishing a design right, with knowledge of the design having been claimed in the international application for design registration that the international publication has been effected. 

(2) Paragraphs (2) to (6) of Article 65 of Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to 
the exercise of the right to claim compensation under the preceding paragraph. In this case, "after the laying open" in paragraph (5) of the said Article shall be 
replaced with "after international publication", and "Articles 101, 104 to 104-3, 
105, 105-2, 105-4 to 105-7 and "in parag raph (6) of the said Article shall be 
replaced with "Articles 104-2 to 105-2 and 105-4 to 105-6 of Patent Act as applied 
mutatis mutandis under Articles 38 and 41 of Design Act, and Patent Act as 
applied mutatis mutandis under Article  52 of Design Act." 

(Special provision for registration of establishment of a design right) 
Article 60-13  For the purpose of application of Article 20(2) of this Act to an 
international application for design registration, "payment of the registration fee 
for the first year under Article 42(1)" in the said paragraph shall read "decision or 
the appeal decision to the effect that the design is to be registered." 

(Effect by extinguishment of international registration) 
Article 60-14  (1) Where international registration on which an international 
application for design registration is based is extinguished, the international application for design registration shall be deemed to have been withdrawn. 

(2) A design right obtained the registration establishment under Article 20(2) to be 
applied mutatis mutandis in the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as 
"design right based on international registration") shall be deemed to have been extinguished where the international registration is extinguished. 
(2) Effects of the preceding two paragraphs shall be taken as of the date on which 
the said international registration is ex tinguished from the International 
Register. 

(Special provision for pertaining to transfer of a design right of a related design) 

Article 60-15  For the purpose of application of Article 22(2) to the design right of a 42 principal design based on international registration, "Article 44(4)" in the said 
paragraph shall read "Article 60-14(2)." 

(Special provision for establishment of an exclusive license on the design right of 
a related design) 
Article 60-16  For the purpose of application of Article 27(3) to the design right of a 
principal design based on international registration, "Article 44(4)" in the said paragraph shall read "Article 60-14(2)." 

(Special provisions for waiving a design right) 
Article 60-17  (1) A person who has a design right based on international 
registration may waive the design right. 
(2) Article 97(1) of Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 36 shall 
not apply to the design right based on international registration. 

(Special provisions for the effect of a design right registration) 
Article 60-18  (1) Transfer, modification due to trust, lapse due to abandonment, or 
restriction on disposition of a des ign right based on international registration 
must be registered to take effect. 
(2) Article 98(1)(i) and (2) of Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 
36 shall not apply to the design right based on international registration. 

(Special provisions for registration in the design registry) 
Article 60-19  (1) For the purpose of appl ication of Article 61(1)(i) to a design right 
based on international registration, "establ ishment, transfer, modification due to 
trust, lapse, restoration or restriction on disposition of a design right" in the said 
paragraph shall read "establishment, modification due to trust, extinguishment 
(limited to extinguishment upon expiration of the duration), or restriction on disposition of a design right." 
(2) Transfer or extinguishment (excluding  extinguishment upon expiration of the 
duration) of a design right based on international registration depends on the place at which the design right is registered in the International Register. 

(Special provision for Design Bulletin) 
Article 60-20  For the purpose of application of Article 66(2)(i) to a design right 
based on international registration, "excluding extinguishment under Article 43 44(4)) or the restoration thereof (limit ed to restoration under Article44-2(2)" in 
the said item shall read "excluding extinguishment under Article 60-14(2) (limited to extinguishment due to the fact that renewal under Article 17(2) of Geneva Act was not made))." 

(Individual designation fee of international applications for design registration) 
Article 60-21  (1) A person filing international applications for design registration 
shall pay, as the individual designation fee under Article 17(2) of Geneva Act 
(hereinafter referred to as individual designation fee, the amounts equivalent to 
74,600 yen per case to the International Bureau under Article 1(xxviii) of Geneva 
Act (referred to as "International B ureau" in the following paragraph). 

(2) A person making renewal under Article 7(2) of Geneva Act with regard to the 
international registration on which an international application for design registration or a design right based on the international registration is based (excluding renewal made after fifteen years has elapsed from the date of the international registration) shall pay, as the individual designation fee, the 
amounts equivalent to 84,500 yen per case to International Bureau. 
(2) Articles 42 to 45 and 67(2) (limited to the part listed in item (i) of Appended 
Table) shall not apply to a design right based on an international application for 
design registration or an international registration. 

(Refund of individual designation fee) 
Article 60-22  (1) Where an international application for design registration has 
been withdrawn, or decision of refusal or trial decision to the international application for design registration has become final and binding, amounts as 
provided in Cabinet Order shall be refunded upon the request of the person who 
paid the individual designation fee to be paid under paragraph (1) or (2) of the preceding Article. 

(2) No request for refunding the individual designation fee under the preceding 
paragraph may be filed after the expiration of six months from the date on which the international application for design registration has been withdrawn, or decision of refusal or trial decision to the international application for design registration has become final and binding.  
44 (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), where, due to reasons beyond the control of a 
person who files request for refund of  the individual designation fee under the 
said paragraph, the person is unable to file the request within the time limit as provided in the preceding paragraph, the per son may file the request within 14 
days (where overseas resident, within two months) from the date on which the 
reasons ceased to be applicable, but not later than six months following the expiration of the said time limit. 

(Delegation to Ordinance of the Minis try of Economy, Trade and Industry) 
Article 60-23  In addition to those prescribed in Articles 60-6 to 60-22, details of 
matters necessary for enforcing Geneva Act and the rules under Geneva Act shall 
be prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. 

C
Chapter VII Miscellaneous Provisions (Article 60-24 to Article 68) 

(Amendment of proceedings) 
Article 60-24 A person undertaking a pr ocedure with regard to an application for 
design registration, a request or any other procedures relating to design 
registration, may make amendments only while the case is pending in examination, appeal/trial or retrial. 
 
(Registration in the design registry) 
Article 61  (1) The following matters shall be registered in the design registry 
maintained in the Patent Office: 
(i) the establishment, transfer, modification due to trust, lapse, restoration or 
restriction on disposition, of a design right; 
(ii) the establishment, maintenance, transf er, modification, lapse or restriction on 
disposal, of an exclusive license; and 

(iii) the establishment, transfer, modification , lapse or restriction on disposal, of a 
right of pledge on a design  right or exclusive license. 

(2) The design registry may be prepared, in whole or in part, in the form of magnetic 
tapes (including other storage media using a similar method that may record and reliably store certain matters, the same shall apply hereinafter.) 
(3) In addition to those prescribed in this Act, matters relating to registration shall 45 be prescribed by Cabinet Order. 
 
(Issuance of certificate of design registration) 

Article 62  (1) The Commissioner of the P atent Office shall issue the certificate of 
design registration to the holder of the design right where the establishment of a design right has been registered or tr ansfer of the design right has been 
registered based on the request under Article 26-2(1). 
(2) Re-issuance of the certificate of design registration shall be prescribed by 
Ordinance of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. 
 
(Request for certificate, etc) 
Article 63  (1) Any person may file a request with regard to design registrations to 
the Commissioner of the Patent Office to issue a certificate, a certified copy of documents or an extract of documents, to allow the inspection or copying of documents, model or specimen, or to issue documents which contain matters recorded on the magnetic tapes that constitute the part of the Design Registry; 
provided, however, that if  the Commissioner of the Patent Office considers it 
necessary to keep such documents, model or specimen confidential, this provision shall not apply to the following documents, model or specimen: 
(i) an application or drawing, photograph, model or specimen attached to an 
application, or any document pertaining to the examination of an application for design registration for which the design has not been registered; 

(ii) Documents, model or specimen related to a design for which the secrecy is 
requested under Article 14(1); 

(iii) Documents concerning appeal against an examiner's decision of refusal or 
appeal against an examiner's ruling dismissing an amendment requested for an application for design registration for w hich the design has not been registered; 

(iv) Documents concerning invalidation trial of design registration or a retrial of 
the final and binding trial decision in such trial, with respect to which a party in the case or intervenor has given notice that a trade secret owned by the said 
party in the case or intervenor has been described (trade secret as provided in 
Article 2(6) of the Unfair Competition Preven tion Act (Act No. 47 of 1993)); 46 (v) Documents which are liable to cause damage to an individual's reputation or 
peaceful life; and 
(vi) Documents which are liable to cause damage to public order or morality. 

(2) Where the Commissioner of the Patent Office approves of the request under the 
main clause of the preceding paragraph with regard to the documents, model or specimen as provided in items (i) to (v ) of the said paragraph, the Commissioner 
of the Patent Office shall notify the person who submitted the said documents, 
model or specimen thereof and reasons therefor. 

(3) Provisions of the Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs 
(Act No. 42 of 1999) shall not apply to the documents concerning design 
registrations and the part of the Design Registry stored on magnetic tapes. 

(4) Provisions in Chapter IV of the Act on Protection of Personal Information 
Possessed by Administrative Organs (Act No. 58 of 2003) shall not apply to the 
possessed personal information  (refers to the possessed personal information as 
provided in Article 2(3) of the said Act) recorded in the documents concerning 
design registrations and the part of the Design Registry stored on magnetic tapes. 
 
(Mark of Design Registration) 
Article 64  A holder of a design right,  exclusive licensee or non-exclusive licensee 
shall make efforts to place a mark (hereinafter referred to as a "mark of design registration ") as provided by an Ordinan ce of the Ministry of Economy, Trade 
and Industry, on the article to the register ed design or a design similar thereto or 
package thereof, indicating that the design for the article has been registered. 
 
(Prohibition of false marking) 
Article 65  It shall be prohibited for a person to do the following acts: 
(i) putting a mark of design registration or a mark confusing therewith on an 
article which is not the article to the registered design and is not the article to a design similar to the registered design, or the package thereof; 
(ii) assigning, leasing or displaying fo r purposes of assignment or lease an article 
which is not the article to the registered de sign and is not the article to a design 
similar to the registered design, putting a mark of design registration or a mark 
confusing therewith on the article or package thereof; or 47 
(iii) Giving in an advertisement an ind ication to the effect that the article, which 
is not the article to the registered design and is not the article to a design similar to the registered design, is related to the registered design, or an indication confusing with the indication for the purpose of having the article manufactured or used, or assigning or leasing the article. 
 
(Design Bulletin) 
Article 66  (1) The Patent Office sh all publish the Design Bulletin (Isho Koho). 

(2) In addition to the matters provided for in this Act, the Design Bulletin shall 
contain: 

(i) the extinguishment of design rights (excluding extinguishment upon 
expiration of the duration and under Article 44(4)) or the restoration thereof (limited to restoration under Article44-2(4)); 

(ii) filings for a request for trials or retrials, or withdrawals thereof, or final and 
binding trial decisions or retrial decisions (limited to cases where the establishment of a design right has been registered); 
(iii) requests for an award, the withdrawal thereof or a Commissioner's decision; 
and 

(iv) final and binding judgments in an action under Article 59(1) (limited to cases 
where the establishment of a design right has been registered) 

(3) In addition to the matters provided for in the preceding paragraph, with regard 
to an application for design registration for which an examiner's decision or appeal/trial decision to the effect it is to be refused under the latter sentence of Article 9(2) have become final and binding, the following matters shall be published in the Design Bulletin. In this case, if secrecy was requested under Article 14(1) for any of those applications, with regard to all of those applications, the matters prescribed in item (3) below shall be published without delay after 
the lapse of the period designated under Article 14(1) (in the case where secrecy was requested for two or more applications, the period which is the longest among 
the periods of secrecy requested for such applications) from the date such 48 examiner's decision or appeal/trial decision became final and binding. 
(i) the name, and domicile or residence of the applicant for design registration; (ii) the number and the filing date of the application for design registration; (iii) the application and drawing(s), photograph(s), model(s) or specimen(s) 
attached to the application; and 
(iv) other necessary matters. 
 
(Fees) 

Article 67  (1) Fees shall be paid by the following persons in an amount to be 
provided by Cabinet Order in view of the actual costs: 
 (i) persons requesting disclosure of a design under Article 14(4); 

(ii) persons notifying of succession under Article 34(4) of the Patent Act as applied 
mutatis mutandis under Article 15(2) 
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(iii) persons filing a request for an extension of period under Article 4 or 5(1) of 
the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 17-4, 43(3) or 68(1), 
or a change of the date under Article 5(2) of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 68(1); 
(iv) persons who file applications for international registration; 
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(v) persons filing a request for the re-issuance of the certificate of design 
registration; 
(vi) persons filing a request for the issuance of a certificate under Article 63(1); 
(vii) persons filing a request for the issu ance of a certified copy of documents or an 
extract of documents under Article 63(1): 
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(viii) persons filing a request to allow the inspection or copying of documents, 
model or specimen under Article 63(1); and 
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(ix) persons filing a request for the issuance of documents which contain matters 
recorded on the magnetic tapes that constitute the part of the Design Registry under Article 63(1). 
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(2) The persons listed in the center column of the attached table shall pay fees in the 49 amount as provided by Cabinet Order within the range of the amounts specified 
in the corresponding right-hand column of the table. 
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(3) The two preceding paragraphs shall not apply where the person to pay the fee in 
accordance with these paragraphs is the State. 
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(4) Where the State has joint ownership of a design right or a right to obtain a 
design registration with a person other than  the State, and the portion of their 
respective shares of said right has been agreed, notwithstanding the provisions of 
paragraph (1) or (2), the fees payable thereunder (limited to those provided by Cabinet Order) shall be determined as the sum of the provided fees multiplied by the ratios of the shares of each person other than the State, and, the person(s) other than the State shall pay such amounts. 
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(5) Where the amount of the fees calculated under the preceding paragraphs has a 
fractional figure of less than ten y en, said portion shall be discarded. 
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(6) The payment of the fees under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made by patent 
revenue stamps as provided by an Ordinance  of the Ministry of Economy, Trade 
and Industry; provided, howev er, that where so provided by an Ordinance of the 
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, a cash payment thereof shall be accepted. 
(7) Fees paid in excess or in error shall be refunded upon the request of the person 
who made payment thereof. 
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(8) No request for a refund of the fees under the preceding paragraph may be filed 
after one year from the date on which the payment thereof has been made. 
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(9) Notwithstanding paragraph (7), where, due to reasons beyond the control of a 
person who files request for refund of fees under the said paragraph, the person is unable to file the request within the time limit as provided in the preceding paragraph, the person may file the request wi thin 14 days (where overseas 
resident, within two months) from the date on which the reasons ceased to be applicable, but not later than six months f ollowing the expiration of the said time 
limit. 
 50 (Application mutatis mutandis of provisions of the Patent Act) 
Article 68  (1) The provisions of Article s 3 to 5 (Time periods and dates) of the 
Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to time periods and time limits provided in this Act. In this case, the term "Article 121(1)" of Article 4 of the Patent Act shall be deemed to be replaced with "Article 46(1) or 47(1) of the Design Act." 
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(2) Article 6 to 9, 11 to 16, 17(3) and 17(4 ), 18 to 24 and 19 4 (Procedures) of the 
Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to an application for design registration, 
a request, or any other procedures relating to design registration. In this case, the 
term "hearing against an examiner's decision of  refusal" in Article 9 of the Patent 
Act shall be deemed to be replaced with "request for an appeal against an examiner's decision of refusal and appeal against examiner's ruling dismissing an amendment." and the term "hearing against an examiner's decision of refusal" in Article 14 of the Patent Act shall be deemed to be replaced with "request for appeal against an examiner's decision of refusal and appeal against examiner's 
ruling dismissing an amendment." 
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(3) Article 25 (Enjoyment of rights by foreign nationals ) of the Patent Act shall 
apply mutatis mutandis to design rights an d other rights relating to the design 
registration. 
(4) Article 26 (Effect of treaties) of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to 
the design registration. 
 (5) Articles 189 to 192 (Service) of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to 
services provided for under this Act. 
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(6) Article 195-3 of the Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to dispositions 
imposed by this Act or an order thereunder. 
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(7) Article 195-4 (Restriction on appeal s under Administrative Appeal Act) of the 
Patent Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to a ruling to dismiss an amendment, an examiner's decision, an appeal/trial decision, or a ruling to dismiss a written request for appeal/trial or retrial, or dispositions against which no appeal lies in accordance with this Act. 
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C
Chapter VIII Penal Provisions (Article 69 to Article 77) 51 
(Crime of infringement) 
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Article 69  An infringer of a design right or exclusive license (excluding one who 
has committed any acts which are deemed to constitute infringement of a design right or an exclusive license under Article 38) shall be punished by imprisonment with work for a term not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding 10,000,000 
yen or combination thereof. 
 
Article 69-2  A person who has committed any acts which are be deemed to 
constitute infringement of a design right or an exclusive license under Article 38 
shall be punished by imprisonment with wo rk for a term not exceeding 5 years or 
a fine not exceeding 5,000,00 0 yen or combination thereof. 
 
(Crime of fraud) 
Article 70  Any person who has obtained a design registration or appeal/trial 
decision by means of a fraudulent act shall be punished by imprisonment with 
work for a term not exceeding one year or  a fine not exceeding 1,000,000 yen. 
 
(Crime of false marking) 
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Article 71  A person who fails to comply  with Article 65 shall be punished by 
imprisonment with work for a term not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding 1,000,000 yen. 
 
(Crime of perjury, etc.) 
Article 72  (1) A witness, an expert witness or an interpreter who has sworn under 
this Act and made a false statement or given a false expert opinion or interpretation to the Patent Office or the court commissioned thereby shall be punished by imprisonment with work for a term between three months and ten years. 
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(2) Where a person who has committed the crime in the preceding paragraph has 
made a voluntary confession before a certifi ed copy of the advisory opinion on the 
case has been served or an examiner's de cision or appeal/trial decision has 
become final and binding, the punishment may be reduced or exculpated. 52  
(Crime of divulging secrets) 
Article 73  A present or former official of the Patent Office who has divulged any 
secret relating to a design in a pending application for design registration that has become known to him/her in the course of performing his/her duties, or misappropriated the said design shall be punished by imprisonment with work for a term not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding 500,000 yen. 
 
(Crime of breach of protective order) 
Article 73-2  (1) A person who fails to comply with an order given under Article 
105-4(1) of the Patent Act (including its mutatis mutandis application in Article 65(6) of the said Act to be applied mutatis mutandis in Article 60-12(2)) as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 41 shall be  punished by imprisonment with work 
for a term not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding 5,000,000 yen or combination thereof. 
(2) The prosecution of the crime under the preceding paragraph may not be initiated 
unless a complaint is filed. 
(3) The crime under paragraph (1) shall apply to a person who commits the crime 
outside Japan. 
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(Dual liability) 
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Article 74  (1) Where a representative of a juridical person or an agent, employee or 
other worker of a juridical person or an indiv idual has committed in the course of 
performing his/her duties for the juridical person or individual, any act in violation prescribed in the following items, in addition to the offender, the 
juridical person shall be punished by a fine as provided in the corresponding item 
and the individual shall be punished by a fine as provided in the Article prescribed in the corresponding item: 
(i) Article 69, 69-2 or 73-2(1), a f ine not exceeding 300 million yen; and 
(ii) Article 70 or 71, a fine not exceeding 30 million yen. 
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(2) In the case of the preceding paragraph, the complaint filed under Article 73-2(1) 
against the offender shall have effect on the juridical person or individual and the complaint filed against the juridical person or individual shall have effect on the 
offender. 53 
(3) Where a fine is imposed on a juri dical person or individual under paragraph (1) 
with regard to a violation of Article 69, 69-2  or 73-2(1), the period of prescription 
shall be governed by the same rules as for crimes in the provisions thereof. 
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(Civil fine) 
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Article 75  Where a person who has sworn un der Article 207(1) of the Code of Civil 
Procedure as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 151 of the Patent Act as 
applied mutatis mutandis under Article 71(3) of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 25(3) of this Act, Article 52, 58(2) or (3) of this Act, or Article 174(3) of the Patent Act as applied mutatis mutandis under Article 58(4) of this Act has made a false statement before the Patent Office or a court commissioned thereby, the said person shall be punished by a civil fine not exceeding 100,000 yen. 
 
Article 76  A person who has been summoned by the Patent Office or a court 
commissioned thereby in accordance with this Act, and fails to appear or refuses 
to swear, make a statement, testify, give an expert opinion or interpret without a justifiable reason shall be punished by  a civil fine not ex ceeding 100,000 yen. 
 
Article 77  A person who has been ordered by the Patent Office or a court 
commissioned thereby to submit or present documents or other materials for the purpose of examination or preservation of ev idence in accordance with this Act 
and fails to comply with the order without a justifiable reason shall be punished by a civil fine not exceeding 100,000 yen. 
 
Supplementary provisions (Extract) 
 
Appended Table (In relation to Article 67) 
 
  
The person (s) who shall pay fees  
Amounts 
 
1  
A person filing an application for design registration  
16,000 yen per case 
 
2  
A person filing a request for secrecy of the design under 
Article 14(1)  
5,100 yen per case 54  
3  
A person requesting an advisory opinion under Article  
40,000 yen per case 
25(1) 
 
4  
A person requesting an award  
55,000 yen per case 
 
5  
A person requesting canceling of an award  
27,500 yen per case 
 
6  
A person filing a request for appeal/trial or retrial  
55,000 yen per case 
 
7  
A person applying for intervention in appeal/trial or 
retrial  
55,000 yen per case  
 
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