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Corporate LawPublished: 2026-03-13/Updated: 2026-09-221 min readLawyer-Reviewed

Intellectual Property Basics in Japan: Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights

Key Takeaways

  • ✓Patent rights last 20 years from filing; trademarks are renewable every 10 years
  • ✓Copyright protection extends to 70 years after the author's death
  • ✓Rights holders can seek injunctions and damages for infringement
  • ✓Fee reduction programs exist for small and medium enterprises

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Japan's IP rights: patents (20 years from filing, Patent Act), utility models (10 years), designs (25 years, Design Act), trademarks (10 years, renewable), and copyrights (70 years post-death, Copyright Act Art. 51). Remedies for infringement include injunctions, damages (with statutory presumptions), and criminal penalties (up to 10 years/¥10M for patent infringement). SMEs receive fee reductions of 50-67%.

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This article provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal issues, please consult with a qualified attorney.

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