Datagov Opendata Platform

The priority document exchange is a mutual cooperation between the Intellectual Property Office and the Japan Patent Office. Both offices can directly transmit and obtain patent priority documents through electronic exchange, eliminating the time and cost of producing paper copies, simplifying the transnational application process for applicants, and saving applicants from postage and paper expenses. In addition, patent examiners can quickly access and review priority documents from other countries online, which helps synchronize information on international patent families and accelerate the examination process. In order to make the content and considerations of this operation known to the public and to address potential questions that applicants may have, the Intellectual Property Office has compiled a set of questions and answers.