International Activities
JIPA dispatches panelists to the seminar hosted by BUSINESSEUROPE
On December 5, 2012, a seminar was held under the auspices of BUSINESSEUROPE, a European IP user group, at its headquarter in Brussels, Belgium.In the seminar titled "Would Japan's Patent Law Amendment Lead the Way to Harmonization of Patent Systems?" presentations were made before the European industry players on such matters as the appropriate way of designing harmonization of patent systems with the recent amendments to Article 30 of the Japanese Patent Act. BUSINESSEUROPE requested JIPA to dispatch a panelist as the representative of the European Patent Office (EPO), the Japan Patent Office (JPO), and Japanese users, so Mr. Shobayashi, Chairman of the First Patent Committee of JIPA, participated in the seminar.
The seminar had about 50 participants from European companies and legal bars. First, a common understanding was shared by all the participants that harmonization is a business issue and that needs for harmonization certainly exist among the patent offices as well as users . EPO then made a presentation where it explained the movements regarding harmonization and expressed its hopes for cooperation among the patent offices and hearing opinions from users.
Following this, the JPO made a presentation where it explained the recent amendments to the Japanese Patent Act which were made for the purpose of increasing user support and gave an observation that such amendment would increase the application of the Act by large-scale enterprises as well as small and medium-sized enterprises and universities, and that it should function as a safety net for them.
Then, Mr. Shobayashi, Chairman of the First Patent Committee of JIPA, gave a presentation where he explained the conditions of companies and expressed his hopes for finding the best solution while deepening mutual understanding and continuing discussions based on the recent law amendments in Japan.
Finally, a panel discussion was held between three participants from the European business community and JIPA. Lively discussions and question and answer sessions were held on issues such as whether or not Article 30 of the Japanese Patent Act would be effective for the protection of innovations and whether said provision would destabilize the status of third parties, as well as on the procedural burden to be borne by applicants and examiners, and the training system within companies.
To further promote harmonization of patent systems and to make them more convenient for users, JIPA will transmit opinions from Japan and cooperate with the patent offices and users in various countries.
