Intellectual Properties in Japan
1. Inventions
Examples: products or methods characterized by a high level of a creative technological idea; items characterized by a longer life cycle than a new utility model; hardware and related computer programs, items including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
Applicable Laws: Japan Patent Law
Protection Period: 20 years from the day when an application was filed (a limit of five years is applied to cases of pharmaceutical products and agricultural chemicals, but this period can be extended).
2. Utility Models
Examples: Items having a short life cycle, characterized by the potential for an early implementation and a creative idea relating to the shape of products, their structure and other technological aspects; the technological aspect of a utility model may be on a lower level when compared to a patent; an idea of a method is not a valid subject.
Applicable Law: Japan Law for Utility Models
Protection Period: 10 years from the day when an application was filed.
3. Designs
Examples: The shape, pattern, color, and other design characteristics of of items relating to their external appearance; a simple picture or drawing is not a valid subject.
Applicable Laws: Japan Design Law
Protection Period: 20 years from the date of registration of its establishment.
4. Trademarks
Examples: Letters, diagrams, symbols (colors) having the effect of identifying the subjet of various products or services
Applicable Laws: Japan Trademark Law
Protection Period: 10 years from the day when a created trademark was registered (continuous use can be obtained if an application is updated).
(based on information from the Japan Patent Office website)