Updated June 17, 2026
The design system protects industrially applicable designs of articles and more as rights, encouraging creation and contributing to industrial development. Japan’s major 2020 amendment greatly expanded both the scope of protection and the term of rights.
Registration Requirements
01
Industrial applicability
A design that can be industrially mass-produced.
02
Novelty
A new design not disclosed before filing.
03
Non-easy creation
Not easily created by an ordinary designer.
Scope of Protection (expanded in 2020)
Product designs
Shape, pattern and color designs of conventional articles (products).
Image (GUI) designs
Operation/display images, including images not recorded on a device.
Building designs
Exterior designs of buildings such as stores and facilities.
Interior designs
Interior designs of stores/facilities with a unified aesthetic.
Procedure from Filing to Registration
1
Filing
Submit request and drawings (or photos/specimens)
2
Substantive examination~6–7 months after filing
Examiner reviews novelty, non-easy creation, etc.
3
Office Action & response
Reply by arguments/amendments (if any)
4
Decision to grant
Design allowed
5
Registration
Pay fees → registered and published
Key Systems to Know
Term of right
25 years from filing (for applications on/after April 1, 2020; previously 20 years from registration).
Related designs
Similar designs can be registered as related designs (expanded in 2020; filable for 25 years from the principal design’s filing date).
Secret design
A design can be kept confidential for up to 3 years from registration.
Grace period
Exception applies if filed within 1 year of disclosure (6 months → 1 year in 2018).
Set of articles
Protects the design of a set of articles traded together.
Recent Developments
2020
Major Design Act amendment
Added protection for image, building and interior designs; expanded related designs; extended term to “25 years from filing.”
2026
Digitalized certificates
Design certificates have been unified as PDF data since April 2026.