RESOLVING IP DISPUTES IN JAPAN-Counting the Cost

摘要

Japan is known to be one of the world's most expensive countries, with Osaka and Tokyo regularly topping the rankings as the world's priciest cities. This high-cost perception has clouded the surprisingly refreshing truth that Japan is in fact a relatively affordable and reliably expeditious IP dispute resolution venue. Japanese IP dispute resolution currently uses a two-track system, with the Board of Appeals of the Japan Patent Office (JPO) hearing invalidation appeal (IA) challenges and the District Court hearing patent infringement actions. The JPO Board of Appeals panel consists of experienced appeal examiners and reviews all relevant invalidation grounds.