February 8, 2021 [ IP News-Others ]
News about “Expansion of Applicable Scope of Abolition of Seal-Stamping” in Procedures before JPO

Recently, regarding the “abolition of seal-stamping” in the procedures before the JPO, the applicable scope has been expanded to other procedures in addition to the procedure for exception to lack of novelty. The details are as follows:
　● Total procedures before the JPO : 797 types
　　　- Procedures still requiring seal-stamping : 33types
　　　- Procedures with expanded options : 74types
　　　　 ※This applies to procedures for which a signature or the like is required by treaties.
　　　- Procedures for which seal-stamping was abolished : 690types

(1) With respect to procedures still requiring seal-stamping
- List of documents still requiring seal-stamping
　　※Seal-stamping is continued in light of great potential damage caused by forgery.
https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/process/shutugan/madoguchi/info/oin-minaoshi.html
(only in Japanese)

- Operation of the procedures for which a signature or the like is required by treaties. (Date of Enforcement: December 28, 2020)
　 [1] Applications by means of signature (handwritten signature, image file printing, rubber-stamping, etc.) are acceptable in addition to conventional applications by means of seal-stamping.
　 [2] In case of a company, a signature by a representative director as well as a signature by a person authorized to sign by a representative is acceptable.


(2) With respect to procedures for which seal-stamping was abolished
- New and old fee exemption systems
※Seal-stamping on the documents in the old system is no longer required for the documents filed in or after January 2021.
https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/process/tesuryo/genmen/genmensochi.html
(only in Japanese)
(The forms will be updated later.)

- Guidelines for Formality Examination
　 ※Revision was made regarding abolition of seal-stamping (as of December 28, 2020).
　 ※Seal-stamping is basically no longer required when filing paper documents (Examples: Written Supplement, Report on Result of Consultation, etc.).
　　　 - Regarding revision of “Guidelines for Formality Examination”
https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/laws/rule/guideline/hoshiki-shinsa-binran/kaitei/index.html
(only in Japanese)
※Please refer to the Guidelines including some changes to documents requiring
seal-stamping, such as a deed of assignment for change of name.
　　　 - Guidelines for Formality Examination
https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/laws/rule/guideline/hoshiki-shinsa-binran/index.html
(only in Japanese)

- Guidelines for Procedures of Application for Design Registration
　 ※Revision was made regarding abolition of seal-stamping.
https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/laws/rule/guideline/design/isyou_guideline.html
(only in Japanese)

- Guidelines for Interview
※Spaces for seal-stamping were abolished in Petitions and Powers of Attorney.
Patent:
https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/laws/rule/guideline/patent/mensetu_guide_index.html
(only in Japanese)
Design:
https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/laws/rule/guideline/design/mensetu_guide_isyou.html
(only in Japanese)
Trial/Appeal:
https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/trial_appeal/mensetu_guide_sinpan.html
(only in Japanese)