Ariga International Patent Office can perform searches through numerous patent and utility model databases in order to obtain information regarding the patentability and marketability of your invention. In addition, file wrappers may also be examined to determine whether there are any applications in the pipeline upon which your invention or application may potentially infringe, or which may potentially infringe on your invention or application.

Novelty Search (Prior Art Search)

A novelty search is performed prior to the filing of a patent application in order to determine whether a specific method or device is novel. Novelty searches often uncover related technologies which might not have been considered previously. The results obtained through a novelty search may provide useful information to help determine whether or not the patent application should be filed. The cost for conducting a novelty search starts at 100,000 yen (US$926)*, and it generally requires at least five (5) working days to complete such a search.

Invalidation Search

An invalidation search is designed to obtain information (in addition to patent literature; technical documents, brochures, etc.) to assist in the invalidation of a previously granted patent(s) which may bar the marketing of your product. Invalidation searches are useful when an infringement suit or a warning of infringement has been issued against your product, or when a right-to-use search has uncovered a patent(s) upon which your invention might infringe, etc

Japanese patent documents and technical journals can be obtained not only in Japan, but in many other countries as well. The cost for conducting an invalidation search starts at 500,000 yen (US$4,630)*, and it generally requires at least ten (10) working days to complete such a search.

Right-to-Use Search (Patent Clearance)

A Right-to-Use search is performed prior to marketing a new product in Japan, in order to verify that your new product does not infringe on an existing patent or potentially infringe on a patent application. This is important if you are planning on developing, manufacturing, and selling a new product, or plan on importing and selling your product in Japan. Should a case of potential infringement be found, we can provide our expert opinion on how best to proceed. The cost for conducting a right-to-use search starts at 700,000 yen (US$6,481)*, and it generally requires at least ten (10) working days to complete such a search.

*Based on 108 yen = $1 (Rate as of January 2020)