Patent Case Law and Intellectual Property Practice Blog

Japanese version: https://www.takaishihideki.com/single-post/linkedin-7513031104174391298-ja Article information Article type: Case note Categories: Patents Topics: Added matter / Divisional applications First published on this website: 2026-10-07 Display and classification checked: 2026-10-07 IP High Court, Heisei 17 (Gyo-Ke) 10099 [Image processing system] * The divisional-application requirements were held to be violated even though the subject matter would have been obvio

1. The Japan Patent Office's (JPO) “first alternative” principle In chemistry and biotechnology, compounds and sequences are commonly expressed as alternatives (Markush form), such as “R is A, B or C” or “any of SEQ ID NOs. 1–4.” Under Japan's Examination Guidelines, the first-listed alternative is, in principle, selected for examination when assessing unity (Patent Act Article 37).

[Vehicle guidance system] (Presiding Judge Masuda) *Divisional requirements satisfied (no addition of new matter)

A review of 34 articles published in January 2026 by attorney Hideki Takaishi, covering divisional applications, invalidity arguments, claim interpretation, international jurisdiction, standard-essential patents and employee inventions.

日本語版 / Japanese version Article information Type: Lectures and videos Classification: Patents, Trademarks, Designs, Copyright, Unfair competition law, Other Japanese law, United States, Other foreign jurisdictions Topics: IP management, Divisional applications, Added matter, Numerical limitations and parameters, Extraterritorial application First published on this site: 2023-12-30 Display and classification checked: 2026-11-14 <New YouTube Video> [Patents] IP Strategy That Se