2020/3/30

UpdatedMar. 30, 2020

7 FlavorsofNewDesignAct

Konishi & Nakamura
Nagoya Japan
http://www.ipworld.jp/global/
Implements on April 1st, 2020

1

１． Relax GUI (Graphical User Interfaces)
Requirements : Abandon “Product‐Specific”
２． Protect Architecture and Interiors
thereof
３． Widen Protections of Design Family

7 Flavors

４． Prolong Term of Protections
５． Accept Multiple‐Designs Application
６． Tolerate Practices in Representations(New Guideline of Examination)

７．Relax Unity of Designs(New Guideline of Examination)
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１． Relax GUI (Graphical User Interfaces) Requirements : Abandon “Product‐Specific”

Current:
Protect GUI if it’s shown on
a. A specific product

New Act:
Protect GUI if it’s shown on
a. A specific productb. Cloud platformsc. Digital Networks
d. Incomplete productsb. Cloud platformsc. Digital Networks
d. Incomplete products

Not“Product‐Specific”

Note: A Requirement that GUI is used for perform certain functions of products
or computer programs remains unchanged.
33• Protect GUIs on cloud platforms, GUIs provided by networks,etc. (GUIs not recorded on articles/products）

Not
Necessary“Product‐Specific”[cited from: https://www.navitime.co.jp/]4422020/3/30• Protect GUIs projected on walls or the human body, GUIs
displayed using augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR), etc.)（GUIs displayed on something other than independent articles）
Projected on the wall

Projected on the human body

Not Necessary“Product‐Specific”[cited from: “Considerations of Reform of Industrial Design System” by the JPO]
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２． Protect Architecture and Interiors thereof• Protect exterior designs

KOMEDA Coffee Shop in Iwada[citation: http://v4.eir‐parts.net/v4Contents/View.aspx?cat=tdnet&sid=1428023]
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2020/3/30• Protect interior designs as long asuniformity in design features found“Takeo City Library” operated
by Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd.

“AU Shop” in Ikebukuro Tokyo, cited by theJPO’s documents of new act summary
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３． Widen Protections of Design Family• Associated Designs: Allows a filer of mother design to subsequently
register a child design, which similar to mother’s:Child Design

Mother Design

Current:
a. To file a child design by apublication of mother design
b. To register a child design only
New Act:a. To file a child design in 10years from a filing date ofmother design
b. To register a child and a
grandchild design[cited from: “Considerations of Reform of Industrial Design System” by the JPO]

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４． Prolong Term of Protections
Current:
Lasts in 20 years froma date of issuing

New Act:
Lasts in 25 years from adate of filing[cited from: “Considerationsof Reform of Industrial
Design System” by the JPO]
99

５．Accept Multiple‐Designs Application• Include multiple‐designs to file in a single application

Current:
File one design in one
application

New Act:
File multiple‐designs inone application

Regardless:a. Locarno Classificationb. Articles designs appliedc. Similarities in designs filedd. Uniformity of design features

Unfortunately:
Not Fee reductions applicable[cited from: https://tableware.noritake.co.jp/fs/tableware/c/series_054/]

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6. Tolerate Practices in Representations(Applicable for Designs Filed on and after May 1st, 2019)

Current:
Essentially submit
6‐views of drawings

New Guideline:
Unnecessarily submit
6‐views of drawings

Examinebased on a scope
disclosed indrawings

Flat【Example】
Accept application
without rear viewfor photo frames

Front

L. sideR. sidePerspective

Bottom1111・ Partial Designs 【Article】 Golf club
Current:
Essentially drawing
Complete shape of product

New Guideline:
Unnecessarily drawing
Complete shape of productAccept the drawing above as long as fromthe characteristics of article, position, sizeand scope of claiming "part" are clear.
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7. Relax Unity of Designs(Applicable for Designs Filed on and after May 1st, 2019)

Current: No clear tests
about unity of design
consisting more than two
separable products: Review
and clarify criteria

Jelly in cup

New Guideline:
Have clear tests and examples
to consider unity of design
Set of faucets
Meet Unity of Design
1313

NumberofDesign
Filings

Hague
filingPendency

IssuingFirst Action

Expedite Exam.
• First Action in 2‐months• Interview
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Associated & Partial Protection
MotherChild 3

Child 1

In 10‐years

You Canunder theNew Act!

Grandchild １
Child 4
図の出典：特許情報プラットフォーム（J-plat Pat）
URL：https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/web/ishou/isdt/ISDT_GM301_Detailed.action

1515

Which a part you claim?

B‐B

C‐C16168