How do Japanese patent application publications show dates?

Japanese patent application publications use a unique system for indicating dates. According to MPEP 901.05(a): “Japanese patent application publications show the date in Arabic numerals by indicating in order the year of the reign of the Emperor, the month, and the day.” This means that Japanese patent dates are typically formatted as YY.MM.DD, where YY…

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Why is understanding foreign patent date formats important for patent research?

Understanding foreign patent date formats is crucial for accurate patent research and prior art searches. The MPEP 901.05(a) provides guidance on interpreting these dates because: Foreign patent publications use different date formats than Western standards Japanese patents use a unique system based on the Emperor’s reign Misinterpreting dates can lead to errors in determining patent…

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How are dates formatted in foreign patent publications?

Foreign patent publications often use different date formats compared to Western standards. According to MPEP 901.05(a): “Foreign patent publications that use Arabic and Roman numerals in lieu of names to indicate the date show in order the day, month, and year, or alternatively, the year, month, and day. Roman numerals always refer to the month.”…

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