--- title: "Response to Madrid Refusal in Japan: Deadlines, Options & What Happens Next After a JPO Provisional Refusal" description: Received a Notification of Provisional Refusal for your Madrid Protocol designation of Japan? This guide explains what the document means, your response deadline and the JPO’s extension rules (verified against JPO sources), your four response options, and the full timeline to a Statement of Grant of Protection. image: https://www.evorix.jp/hubfs/Gemini_Generated_Image_widt6nwidt6nwidt.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal#main-content) - [English](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) - [Chinese](https://www.evorix.jp/zh/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) - [Deutsch (German)](https://www.evorix.jp/de/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) - [Español (Spanish)](https://www.evorix.jp/es/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) - [Français (French)](https://www.evorix.jp/fr/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) - [Português (Portuguese)](https://www.evorix.jp/pt/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) - 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[Consultation Process](https://www.evorix.jp/en/consultation) - [Inquiry Form](https://www.evorix.jp/en/inquiry) - - [English](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) - [Chinese](https://www.evorix.jp/zh/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) - [Deutsch (German)](https://www.evorix.jp/de/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) - [Español (Spanish)](https://www.evorix.jp/es/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) - [Français (French)](https://www.evorix.jp/fr/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) - [Português (Portuguese)](https://www.evorix.jp/pt/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) - [한국어 (Korean)](https://www.evorix.jp/ko/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) English Show submenu for translations - [Contact](https://www.evorix.jp/en/inquiry) [Contact](https://www.evorix.jp/en/inquiry) 2026/05/23 # Response to Madrid Refusal in Japan: Deadlines, Options & What Happens Next After a JPO Provisional Refusal ![Picture of Takefumi Sugiura – Japanese Patent Attorney](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/4ef5aa3d824852243e3f9a0ef7c7a511) [Takefumi Sugiura – Japanese Patent Attorney](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/author/takefumi-sugiura-japanese-patent-attorney) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) ![Gemini\_Generated\_Image\_widt6nwidt6nwidt](https://www.evorix.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini_Generated_Image_widt6nwidt6nwidt.jpg?width=960&height=536&name=Gemini_Generated_Image_widt6nwidt6nwidt.jpg) You designated Japan through the Madrid Protocol — and now a document titled **“Notification of Provisional Refusal”** has arrived from WIPO. First, the essentials: **this is not a final refusal**, most provisional refusals in Japan can be overcome, and your deadline — while strict — can be extended, in some cases even after it has passed. This complete guide to the **response to a Madrid refusal in Japan** explains what your document says, exactly how the deadline and extensions work under current JPO practice, your four response options, and the full procedural road to a Statement of Grant of Protection. Table of Contents 1. [What the Document in Front of You Actually Says](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal#a0a) 2. [Your Deadline — and the JPO’s Two Extension Routes](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal#a0b) 3. [Your Four Response Options](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal#a0c) 4. [The Five Procedural Stages (Timeline)](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal#a1) 5. [Stage 2: Response Filing (Within 3 Months)](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal#a2) 6. [Stage 3: JPO Re-examination (3-6 Months)](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal#a3) 7. [Stage 4 (if Successful): Statement of Grant of Protection](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal#a4) 8. [Stage 5 (if Refusal Issued): Appeal to JPO Trial Board](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal#a5) 9. [FAQ](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal#faq) ## What the Document in Front of You Actually Says The Notification looks dense, but only four pieces of information decide what you should do next. Find these on your document: | Where to look | What it tells you | | --- | --- | | **Total vs. partial refusal** (first page) | Whether all of your goods/services are refused, or only some of them. | | **Grounds — the cited Articles** | Article 4(1)(xi) = conflict with a prior similar mark (see our [Article 4(1)(11) response strategies](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/article-4-1-11-non-similarity-strategies)). Article 3(1) = lack of distinctiveness — or, under its main paragraph, [a doubt about your intent to use](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-article-3-1-use-intent-refusal). Objections to [vague goods/services wording](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-refusal-vague-goods-services) are also common for Madrid designations. | | **Cited prior marks** | Registration numbers and owners of the marks blocking you — the raw material for a non-similarity argument or a [Letter of Consent](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/letter-of-consent-japan-2024). | | **The response deadline** | Stated on the Notification itself. This date governs everything — see the next section. | ## Your Deadline — and the JPO’s Two Extension Routes The Notification states that a written opinion and/or amendment may be submitted **“within three months from the date of pronouncement”**. That phrase matters: the clock runs from **the JPO’s date of pronouncement — not from the day WIPO forwarded the document, and not from the day it reached your desk**. Transit time is inside your three months, not added to them. Where to find your exact deadline You do not have to calculate it. The first page of the Notification prints two dates at the bottom: **“The date of pronouncement”** and **“Date on which the time limit to respond to the notification ends”**. The second one is your deadline, already computed by the JPO. Check it before anything else — and note that a Notification often reaches the holder several weeks after the date of pronouncement. Under the JPO’s current practice for trademark applications and Madrid designations of Japan (in force since January 2022), two extension routes exist: | When you request | Extension granted | Official fee | | --- | --- | --- | | **Before** the deadline expires | +1 month (single request, no reasons required) | JPY 2,100 | | **After** the deadline has passed — within 2 months of expiry | +2 months (single request, no reasons required) | JPY 4,200 | Two caveats: the after-expiry route is **not available if a response was already filed** within the original (or extended) period, and none of this extends the underlying stages that follow. But for holders who discover the Notification late — a common situation when no local representative was appointed — the after-expiry route means **a missed deadline is often still recoverable**. There is a second, separate lifeline that many holders miss. The Notification itself states that **even if the time limit has passed, an amendment of the list of goods and/or services may still be submitted “as long as the case is pending in examination, or retrial, in the JPO”**. In other words: the window for *arguing* closes on the deadline, but the window for *narrowing your specification* stays open while the case is still alive at the JPO. Where the objection can be cured by deleting or limiting goods — as most vague-wording objections can — a late case is often not a lost case. Do not treat a missed date as the end of the matter without asking Japanese counsel. Source: [JPO notice on extension practice (from January 1, 2022)](https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/trademark/shinsa/letter/kyozetu_entyou_220101.html). ## Your Four Response Options | Option | When it fits | Outcome if it works | | --- | --- | --- | | **1. Argue** (written argument / 意見書) | The cited mark is distinguishable, or the distinctiveness objection is contestable | Full scope preserved | | **2. Restrict** goods/services (amendment / 手続補正書) | The conflict or vagueness affects only part of the specification | Registration for the goods that matter | | **3. Letter of Consent** from the prior-mark owner | Article 4(1)(xi) citation where coexistence is realistic (available in Japan since the 2024 amendment) | Coexistence — full scope preserved | | **4. Do nothing** | Japan is no longer commercially relevant | The refusal becomes final for the Japan designation; the IR and other designations are unaffected — but see [why silence is risky even for a partial refusal](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) | Options 1–3 are frequently combined. For typical costs of each route, see our [Japan trademark Office Action cost estimate](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-cost-2026). ## 1. Stage 1: Provisional Refusal Notification The JPO issues the Notification of Provisional Refusal — typically within 12-18 months of the IR designation date — and transmits it to WIPO. WIPO records and forwards it to the holder's representative of record (or the holder directly if no representative is appointed). Key points: - The Notification cites specific Articles of the Japan Trademark Act - Cited prior marks are listed with registration numbers - The response deadline runs from the date stated on the Notification ## 2. Stage 2: Response Filing (Within 3 Months) If you have not appointed a Japanese representative, the most important document may never reach your counsel The Notification spells this out: where the holder has **not** appointed a representative domiciled in Japan, the JPO sends certain documents — including a **Decision to Refuse a Trademark Registration** — **directly to the holder**, and those documents are **not** addressed to the representative recorded at WIPO. Your WIPO representative can therefore be entirely unaware that a final refusal has issued while the appeal clock is running. If mail from Japan may be sitting unopened at your registered address, treat that as urgent. A Japanese trademark attorney must be engaged to file the response — overseas holders cannot file it themselves, since Japanese law requires parties without a domicile or business office in Japan to act through a representative domiciled in Japan. The deadline is the date **stated on the Notification** (typically three months for overseas holders), extendable by +1 month before expiry or +2 months within two months after expiry, as detailed [above](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal#a0b). The response is a single submission — typically titled **意見書 (Argument)**, sometimes accompanied by a **手続補正書 (Amendment)** for specification restriction. Evidence (advertising materials, sales data, market surveys) is attached if relied upon. ## 3. Stage 3: JPO Re-examination (3-6 Months) After the response is filed, the JPO examiner reviews the arguments and evidence. Re-examination typically takes **3-6 months**, though complex cases may extend to 9 months. Three possible outcomes: | Outcome | Next Step | | --- | --- | | **Refusal withdrawn** | Statement of Grant of Protection issued via WIPO. Mark protected in Japan retroactive to IR date. | | **Renewed Office Action** | Examiner raises new or modified concerns. Response deadline reset (typically 60 days). | | **Decision of Refusal (final)** | Appeal to JPO Trial Board within 3 months. Otherwise refusal becomes final. | ## 4. Stage 4 (if Successful): Statement of Grant of Protection For Madrid designations that overcome the Provisional Refusal, the JPO issues a **Statement of Grant of Protection** to WIPO. WIPO records protection of the international registration in Japan. The mark is then protected in Japan retroactive to the IR designation date — there is no gap in protection caused by the refusal exchange. After grant, the IR is renewable through WIPO every 10 years. Renewal in Japan is automatic with the IR renewal (no separate Japanese renewal action required). ## 5. Stage 5 (if Refusal Issued): Appeal to JPO Trial Board If the JPO issues a final Decision of Refusal, the holder may appeal to the **JPO Trial Board** within 3 months. The Trial Board conducts a *de novo* review and may reverse the examiner's decision. Trial Board proceedings typically take 6-12 months. If the Trial Board upholds the refusal, further appeal lies to the **IP High Court**, with possible final appeal to the Supreme Court. We handle the full appeal chain when economically justified. ## Frequently Asked Questions What is the typical total timeline from Provisional Refusal to grant? For successful first-response cases: approximately 6-9 months from Notification to Statement of Grant. Cases requiring renewed Office Action or appeal extend to 12-24 months. Letter of Consent negotiations may add 1-3 months depending on counterparty cooperation. Does the IR remain protected during the refusal exchange? The IR is provisionally protected in Japan from the IR date onward. The JPO Provisional Refusal does not retroactively cancel protection; rather, it postpones the final grant. If the response is successful, the grant operates retroactively. If the response fails, protection in Japan is extinguished. Can the holder convert the IR to a national application after refusal? Yes, conversion to a Japanese national application is possible under specific conditions (typically following central attack on the basic mark). The conversion must be filed within 3 months of the cancellation of the basic mark. Different from the Provisional Refusal route. What happens if I do nothing about the Provisional Refusal? If no response is filed by the deadline (or its extension), the refusal stated in the Notification becomes final for the Japan designation and protection in Japan is not granted for the refused goods or services. Your international registration itself and your other designated countries are unaffected. If Japan still matters commercially, note that within 2 months after the deadline a 2-month extension can still be requested. Can I respond to the JPO myself, without a Japanese attorney? No. Overseas holders must act through a representative domiciled in Japan (in practice, a Japanese patent/trademark attorney — benrishi). The good news: no notarized Power of Attorney is needed, a copy is acceptable, and Japanese practice does not even require the foreign principal’s signature on the POA form. My deadline has already passed. Is it too late? Often not. Under JPO practice in force since January 2022, an extension of 2 months can be requested within 2 months after the original response period expired (official fee JPY 4,200, no reasons required) — provided no response was filed within the original period. Contact Japanese counsel immediately with the Notification PDF. Does my three months run from the date I received the Notification? No. The Notification gives you three months **from the JPO’s date of pronouncement**, not from receipt. Because the document travels through WIPO to your representative and then to you, several weeks of your period may already be gone when you first read it. You do not need to calculate anything: the first page prints both “The date of pronouncement” and “Date on which the time limit to respond to the notification ends”. I did not appoint a Japanese representative. What am I at risk of missing? Documents the JPO sends directly to the holder rather than to the WIPO-recorded representative — including a Decision to Refuse a Trademark Registration. Because your WIPO representative is not copied, a final refusal can issue and the appeal period can run without anyone advising you. This is the single most common way a recoverable case becomes an unrecoverable one. ## Related Articles [RELATED ARTICLE Responding to a JPO Provisional Refusal: A Practical Guide for Foreign Counsel Step-by-step guide for foreign attorneys handling a JPO refusal.](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/responding-to-jpo-provisional-refusal-foreign-counsel) [RELATED ARTICLE Top 5 Reasons for Trademark Refusals in Japan and How to Overcome Them The five most common JPO refusal grounds with response strategies.](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-refusal-top-5-reasons) [RELATED ARTICLE How Long Does It Take? Japan Trademark Prosecution Timeline Realistic timelines from refusal to registration in Japan.](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-prosecution-timeline) [RELATED ARTICLE Working with a Japanese Trademark Attorney: What Foreign Counsel Should Know Best practices for foreign counsel engaging Japanese benrishi.](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/working-with-japanese-trademark-attorney) FOR FOREIGN COUNSEL ### Need to respond to a JPO Provisional Refusal? EVORIX provides specialized JPO Office Action response services for foreign counsel. Free assessment + fixed quote within 3-5 business days. [View Service Page →](https://www.evorix.jp/en/japan-trademark-refusal-response) [Email contact@evorix.jp](mailto:contact@evorix.jp) Related Articles - [Responding to a JPO Provisional Refusal: A Practical Guide for Foreign Counsel](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/responding-to-jpo-provisional-refusal-foreign-counsel) - [Top 5 Reasons for Trademark Refusals in Japan and How to Overcome Them](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-refusal-top-5-reasons) - [Madrid Protocol in Japan: What to Expect After the Provisional Refusal](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal) - [Cost Estimate: Japan Trademark Office Action Response (2026 Update)](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-cost-2026) - [Article 4(1)(11): Strategies to Argue Non-Similarity in Japan](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/article-4-1-11-non-similarity-strategies) - [Japan Trademark Prosecution Timeline](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-prosecution-timeline) - [Letter of Consent in Japan: Practice After the 2024 Amendment](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/letter-of-consent-japan-2024) - [Working with a Japanese Trademark Attorney: What Foreign Counsel Should Know](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/working-with-japanese-trademark-attorney) ## Related posts [![Partial Refusal in Japan: Will the Non-Refused Goods Survive If You Do Nothing? — Madrid Protocol Designations](https://www.evorix.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-thumbnails/face-japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing.png?height=200&name=face-japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing.png)](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) ## [Partial Refusal in Japan: Will the Non-Refused Goods Survive If You Do Nothing? — Madrid Protocol Designations](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-madrid-partial-refusal-do-nothing) ![Picture of Takefumi Sugiura – Japanese Patent Attorney](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/4ef5aa3d824852243e3f9a0ef7c7a511) [Takefumi Sugiura – Japanese Patent Attorney](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/author/takefumi-sugiura-japanese-patent-attorney) 2026/09/02 Many Notifications of Provisional Refusal from Japan carry a detail that looks reassuring: the... 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A refusal under the main paragraph of... [Read more](https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/japan-trademark-article-3-1-use-intent-refusal) --- [![知的財産事務所エボリクス/EVORIX/大阪/特許・商標・意匠登](https://www.evorix.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/%E7%9F%A5%E7%9A%84%E8%B2%A1%E7%94%A3%E4%BA%8B%E5%8B%99%E6%89%80%E3%82%A8%E3%83%9C%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%20(500%20%C3%97%20250%20px).png?width=500&height=250&name=%E7%9F%A5%E7%9A%84%E8%B2%A1%E7%94%A3%E4%BA%8B%E5%8B%99%E6%89%80%E3%82%A8%E3%83%9C%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%20(500%20%C3%97%20250%20px).png "知的財産事務所エボリクス/EVORIX/大阪/特許・商標・意匠登")](https://www.evorix.jp) Intellectual Property Law Firm EVORIX   4th Floor, Qus-Hiranomachi Building, 3-1-2 Hiranomachi, Chuo-Ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 541-0046 Japan Mail: [contact@evorix.jp](mailto:contact@evorix.jp) TEL: +81-6-7777-1884 - [Hague International Design Application](https://www.evorix.jp/hague-design-application) - [Madrid Protocol International Trademark Application](https://www.evorix.jp/madrid-protocol-trademark) - [Amazon IP Infringement Support](https://www.evorix.jp/amazon-infringement) - [About Us](https://www.evorix.jp/about) - [Our Attorneys](https://www.evorix.jp/staff) - [Services](https://www.evorix.jp/contents) - [Consultation Process](https://www.evorix.jp/consultation) - [Blog](https://www.evorix.jp/blog) - [Careers](https://www.evorix.jp/recruit) - [Trademark Portfolio](https://www.evorix.jp/trademark-list) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.evorix.jp/hubfs/%E8%B3%87%E6%96%99/HP-%E3%83%97%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%90%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9D%E3%83%AA%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC.pdf) - [Contact](https://www.evorix.jp/inquiry) ---   Copyright © 2026, Intellectual Property Law Firm EVORIX® All rights reserved.  ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Takefumi Sugiura – Japanese Patent Attorney", "url" : "https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/author/takefumi-sugiura-japanese-patent-attorney" }, "dateModified" : "2026-05-04T13:12:06.436Z", "datePublished" : "2026-05-23T07:10:05.000Z", "headline" : "Response to Madrid Refusal in Japan: Deadlines, Options & What Happens Next After a JPO Provisional Refusal", "image" : [ "https://www.evorix.jp/hubfs/Gemini_Generated_Image_widt6nwidt6nwidt.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.evorix.jp/hubfs/%E7%9F%A5%E7%9A%84%E8%B2%A1%E7%94%A3%E4%BA%8B%E5%8B%99%E6%89%80%E3%82%A8%E3%83%9C%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B9%20(500%20%C3%97%20250%20px).png" }, "name" : "知的財産事務所エボリクス" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "jobTitle" : "Patent Attorney (Benrishi)", "name" : "SUGIURA Takefumi", "url" : "https://www.evorix.jp/staff", "worksFor" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "EVORIX IP Firm" } }, "dateModified" : "2026-09-02", "datePublished" : "2026-05-23", "description" : "Received a Notification of Provisional Refusal for your Madrid Protocol designation of Japan? This guide explains what the document means, your response deadline and the JPO’s extension rules (verified against JPO sources), your four response options, and the full timeline to a Statement of Grant of Protection.", "headline" : "Response to Madrid Refusal in Japan: Deadlines, Options & What Happens Next After a JPO Provisional Refusal", "image" : [ { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://20920988.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hubfs/20920988/Gemini_Generated_Image_widt6nwidt6nwidt.jpg" } ], "inLanguage" : "en", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.evorix.jp/en/blog/madrid-protocol-japan-after-provisional-refusal", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "EVORIX IP Firm", "url" : "https://www.evorix.jp" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "FAQPage", "mainEntity" : [ { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "For successful first-response cases: approximately 6-9 months from Notification to Statement of Grant. Cases requiring renewed Office Action or appeal extend to 12-24 months." }, "name" : "What is the typical total timeline from Provisional Refusal to grant?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The JPO Provisional Refusal does not retroactively cancel protection; it postpones the final grant. If the response succeeds, the grant operates retroactively. If it fails, protection in Japan is extinguished." }, "name" : "Does the IR remain protected during the refusal exchange?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "If no response is filed by the deadline (or its extension), the refusal stated in the Notification becomes final for the Japan designation and protection in Japan is not granted for the refused goods or services. Your international registration itself and your other designated countries are unaffected. If Japan still matters commercially, note that within 2 months after the deadline a 2-month extension can still be requested." }, "name" : "What happens if I do nothing about the Provisional Refusal?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "No. Overseas holders must act through a representative domiciled in Japan (in practice, a Japanese patent/trademark attorney — benrishi). The good news: no notarized Power of Attorney is needed, a copy is acceptable, and Japanese practice does not even require the foreign principal’s signature on the POA form." }, "name" : "Can I respond to the JPO myself, without a Japanese attorney?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Often not. Under JPO practice in force since January 2022, an extension of 2 months can be requested within 2 months after the original response period expired (official fee JPY 4,200, no reasons required) — provided no response was filed within the original period. Contact Japanese counsel immediately with the Notification PDF." }, "name" : "My deadline has already passed. Is it too late?" } ] } ```