The Japanese trademark registration process can be roughly divided into four stages: application, examination, announcement/opposition and registration. The entire registration cycle takes 6-8 months if there are no objections.

1.? Registration process and time required

(1) Application stage (receipt will be received in about 7 days)

Receipt can be received in about 7 days after submission Receipt of trademark registration in Japan.

(2) Examination stage (4-6 months)

Japanese trademark examination is divided into two parts: formal examination and substantive examination.

Formal review: After the application is submitted, the application number and application time will be confirmed. At this stage, the application documents are reviewed to see if they meet the requirements.

Substantive examination: Examine whether the trademark is registrable according to the law, for example, whether it is distinctive. If the examiner considers that the trademark is not suitable for registration, a notice of rejection will be issued. Applicants can respond within the specified time. Applicants can also apply for a delay in responding.

(3) Announcement/Opposition Stage (2 months)

After the trademark passes the review, the applicant will be informed that the trademark application has been accepted and published in the Trademark Announcement. Anyone can raise objections, state reasons and submit relevant evidence within the two-month announcement period.

(4) Registration stage

Trademarks that are determined to be registrable after opposition, or trademarks that are announced as having no objections will be approved for registration and a registration certificate will be issued.

2.? Issues that need to be paid attention to after trademark registration

The validity period of a Japanese trademark is 10 years from the date of registration. If you need to continue using the trademark after the validity period expires, you should apply for renewal of registration 6 months before the expiration of the registration validity period. Each renewal registration is valid for 10 years; there is a 6-month extension period for trademark renewal, but additional fees must be paid.