Orb International Patent Law Firm
** Computer-related patents in Japan **

Computer-related Patents in Japan

What are Computer-related Inventions ?

Softwares

Client-Server Systems

Business models etc.

Additional difficulties to get Computer-related Patents

Softwares

Softwares are often claimed as programs in patent applications. In Japan, "program" is a patentable category. However, it is sometimes required to express relation between the program and hardware such as a memory.

Client-Server Systems

A client-Server System consists of one or more client computers and one or more server computers. In case of having a patent of a "system", if a 3rd party only uses the same client computer as the one in the system, the 3rd party may not infringe the patent.

Business models

In Japan, business models/methods without any technical aspects are not patentable.

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