Trademark Filing Guide

PROCESS FLOW

Trademark Registration Process

An overview of the main steps from filing to registration and the procedures required at each stage.

1

Prior Search

Check existing registrations

2

Filing

Submit application

3

Examination

Formality & substantive review

4

Decision to Grant

Registration requirements confirmed

5

Registration

Rights established

Estimated Examination Period

The standard trademark examination period is approximately 6 to 8 months. If the requirements for the Japan Patent Office's accelerated examination system are met, this may be shortened to approximately 2 to 3 months.

FEES

Trademark Registration Fees

Trademark registration requires both official fees paid to the Japan Patent Office and professional fees for attorney/patent attorney representation. Below is a breakdown and estimated costs.

Japan Patent Office Official Fees

Fee Item	Amount	Notes
Filing Fee	JPY 3,400 + (JPY 8,600 x number of classes)	Paid to JPO
Registration Fee (10 years)	JPY 32,900 x number of classes	Paid to JPO; due within 30 days of decision to grant
Registration Fee (5 years)	JPY 17,200 x number of classes	Paid to JPO; split payment option
Renewal Fee (10 years)	JPY 43,600 x number of classes	Paid to JPO; due before expiration of term
Renewal Fee (5 years)	JPY 22,800 x number of classes	Paid to JPO; split payment option

Estimated Cost When Engaging Our Office

In addition to JPO official fees, professional fees for attorney/patent attorney representation are required. The following are estimates for one class (tax included).

Note on English-Language Service Fees
Fees shown on this page reflect our rates for English-language legal services, which include bilingual communication, English document preparation, and cross-cultural legal support. These rates are higher than our standard Japanese-language fees. All prices shown include tax. For Japanese-language fee information, please see the Japanese version of our website.

Item	Amount (tax included)	Notes
Basic Filing Fee	USD 330	Filing for 1 class
Prior Search Fee	USD 330	1 class; up to 4 similar group codes
Success Fee upon Registration	USD 440	Incurred upon decision to grant
Written Opinion Preparation	USD 330 - 550 per response	Only if office action is issued

* For each additional class, an additional search fee (USD 330/class) + additional professional fee (USD 220/class) applies.
* Individual quotes are available for bulk filings of multiple trademarks.
* Preparation and submission of amendments and other documents are included in the basic fee.

Total Cost Estimates (JPO Fees + Professional Fees)

1 Class

Filing professional fee (tax incl.): USD 660
JPO filing fee: JPY 12,000
Registration professional fee (tax incl.): USD 440
JPO registration fee (10 years): JPY 32,900
Estimated total: approx. USD 1,100 + JPY 44,900 (JPO fees)

2 Classes

Filing professional fee (tax incl.): USD 1,100
JPO filing fee: JPY 20,600
Registration professional fee (tax incl.): USD 660
JPO registration fee (10 years): JPY 65,800
Estimated total: approx. USD 1,760 + JPY 86,400 (JPO fees)

3 Classes

Filing professional fee (tax incl.): USD 1,540
JPO filing fee: JPY 29,200
Registration professional fee (tax incl.): USD 880
JPO registration fee (10 years): JPY 98,700
Estimated total: approx. USD 2,420 + JPY 127,900 (JPO fees)

A Note on Fees

The above are standard cost estimates. For bundled filings of multiple trademarks (e.g., logo + standard character mark), individual quotes are available. A formal estimate will be provided during your consultation, so please feel free to contact us.

CLASSIFICATION

Trademark Classes

When filing a trademark application, you must select the classes of goods and services for which you seek protection. There are 45 classes in total.

Examples of Major Classes

Goods Classes (Classes 1-34)

Class 3: Cosmetics

Class 5: Pharmaceuticals

Class 9: Electronics

Class 25: Clothing

Class 30: Confections & Seasonings

Service Classes (Classes 35-45)

Class 35: Advertising & Business

Class 36: Finance & Real Estate

Class 41: Education & Entertainment

Class 42: IT & Technology

Class 45: Legal & Security

Key Points for Class Selection

Select classes based on the goods and services you actually use (or plan to use). Strategic class selection with an eye toward future business expansion is also important. Being in a different class does not guarantee registration -- applications may still be refused based on similarity of goods or services.

EXAMINATION STANDARDS

Trademark Examination Standards

An explanation of the trademark examination process and accelerated examination options.

Formality Examination

Confirms that the application documents are prepared in the format prescribed by the Trademark Act.

Substantive Examination

Examines the distinctiveness of the trademark, similarity to other marks, and public interest considerations in detail.

Accelerated Examination

Through the JPO's accelerated examination system, the examination period may be shortened to approximately 2 to 3 months.

Common Grounds for Refusal

Lack of distinctiveness (generic names, quality descriptions, etc.), similarity to other registered trademarks, conflict with public order and morals, similarity to national or public emblems, similarity to well-known or famous marks of others, and likelihood of causing confusion regarding the quality of goods or services.

REJECTION RESPONSE

Office Actions and Response Strategies

An explanation of the grounds for refusal that may arise during trademark examination and effective response strategies.

Written Opinion

Submit counterarguments and explanations against the examiner's findings to increase the likelihood of registration.

Amendment

Narrow or delete designated goods/services, or modify the trademark itself.

Divisional Application

Continue the application process by splitting out certain classes or goods/services into a separate application.

Keys to Effective Response

It is essential to accurately understand the grounds for refusal and identify the core issue. Typically, a response must be filed within 40 days of the office action notice. By meeting deadlines strictly and consulting with specialists as needed, you can select the most appropriate response strategy.

MAINTENANCE & RENEWAL

Trademark Rights Maintenance & Renewal

An explanation of renewal procedures and key considerations for maintaining trademark rights over the long term.

Item	Period	Fee
Duration of Trademark Rights	10 years from date of registration	Renewable indefinitely
Renewal Application Deadline	6 months before to date of expiration	Standard renewal fee
Renewal Fee (10 years)	10-year lump sum payment	JPY 43,600 x number of classes
Renewal Fee (5 years)	5-year split payment (each term)	JPY 22,800 x number of classes

Continuous Use

If a trademark has not been used for 3 or more years, it may be subject to a non-use cancellation trial.

Renewal Date Management

By registering for the JPO's payment deadline notification service, you can receive email reminders about upcoming renewals.

Infringement Monitoring

Regularly monitor filings and use of similar trademarks to enable early response to rights infringement.

Important: Do Not Forget Renewal Procedures

Failure to complete renewal procedures will result in the extinction of your trademark rights. Once expired, third parties may register the same or similar trademarks, so careful management is essential.

FILING METHODS

Filing Options

An explanation of the options available for trademark filing and key points for success.

File on Your Own

No representative fees, keeping overall costs down. However, specialized knowledge is required.

Engage a Patent Attorney

Professional searches and application preparation increase the likelihood of successful registration.

Our Office's Support

As both attorney and patent attorney, we provide integrated legal strategy and rights acquisition support.

Keys to Filing Success

Accurate class selection, thorough searches against existing trademarks, and clear descriptions of goods/services are essential. Strategic filing with an eye toward future business development helps prevent future disputes.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION

International Registration (Madrid Protocol)

An explanation of the international registration system for efficiently securing trademark protection in multiple countries.

Item	Description
Madrid Protocol System	A single international application enables simultaneous filing in multiple countries. A basic Japanese application or registration is required.
Covered Jurisdictions	Over 120 countries and regions, including the European Union, United States, China, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
Filing to Registration	International filing is possible approximately 3 months after the basic application. Examination periods vary by country.
Cost Efficiency	Using the Madrid Protocol is more advantageous in terms of fees and administrative costs than filing individually in each country.
Centralized Management	Multiple countries' trademarks can be managed under a single international registration number, making renewal procedures more efficient.

Global Strategy and Trademark Protection

When expanding business globally, early international trademark registration is crucial. Our office provides integrated support from securing rights in Japan to international registration. A strategic approach that accounts for the differing requirements and laws of each country is essential.

INFRINGEMENT RESPONSE

Trademark Infringement Response

An explanation of how to respond when your trademark rights are infringed or when you receive an infringement allegation from another party.

Cease and Desist Letters

Compile evidence of infringement and send a cease and desist letter to the infringing party demanding they stop the infringing conduct.

Litigation

If the other party does not comply with the warning, file a civil lawsuit seeking an injunction and damages.

Defensive Response

When you receive an infringement allegation from another party, examine the validity of the trademark and scope of its rights.

Importance of Infringement Response

Trademark infringement can lead to diminished brand value and market confusion. Early detection and swift response are critical. As both attorney and patent attorney, we provide integrated support from evidence preservation to litigation.

OUR SUPPORT

Our Trademark Registration Support

A one-stop service made possible by dual qualification as both attorney and patent attorney.

Prior Search

In-depth searches to accurately assess registration prospects and prevent unnecessary filings.

Application Preparation

Optimal class selection and clear goods/services descriptions tailored to your business, with thorough filing support.

Office Action Response

Preparing written opinions and amendments in response to office actions to pave the way to registration.

Contract Negotiation

Support on legal aspects of trademark-related contracts, including licensing agreements and OEM agreements.

International Registration

Supporting global expansion from Madrid Protocol filing to registration in each country.

Infringement Response

Integrated support from cease and desist letters to litigation for trademark protection and dispute resolution.

The Strength of Dual Qualification

Having the same professional qualified as both attorney and patent attorney means no disconnect between filing strategy and legal strategy. We provide comprehensive support directly connected to business growth, from rights acquisition to dispute resolution.