When did the Japan Patent Office become available as an International Searching Authority for U.S. applicants?
The Japan Patent Office (JPO) became available as an International Searching Authority (ISA) for certain U.S. applicants on July 1, 2015. According to the MPEP:
Since July 1, 2015, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) has been available as an International Searching Authority (ISA) for PCT applications filed by U.S. nationals or residents in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as receiving Office or in the International Bureau (IB) as receiving Office.
The original announcement of this change was published in the Official Gazette on August 4, 2015.
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