The Japan Patent Office has announced the designation of Aomori and Ishikawa prefectures, as well as Kobe City, as focus support areas to promote the utilization of intellectual property (IP), such as patents and trademarks, by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This initiative aims to enhance the added value of products and services and improve the profitability of SMEs by establishing support teams that conduct issue analysis and strategy formulation for each region.
For SMEs, IP, including unique technologies, designs, and brands, is a crucial management resource. However, due to a lack of know-how and limited resources, many SMEs are unable to fully leverage these assets. This new support measure aims to provide comprehensive support, from obtaining IP to developing sales channels, through support teams consisting of management and IP experts who will work closely with SMEs.
Additionally, these support teams will include personnel responsible for connecting SMEs with various support institutions, such as the National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training (INPIT), the Japan Patent Attorneys Association, and local chambers of commerce. By receiving support from multiple perspectives, it is expected that the utilization of IP by SMEs will be further promoted.
Notably, the initiative aims to support more than 15 SMEs in fiscal year 2024. Furthermore, there are plans to expand the focus support areas to five locations by fiscal year 2028, suggesting that this initiative will continue to spread nationwide in the future.
Effectively utilizing the unique technologies and brands that SMEs possess to enhance market competitiveness requires strategic use of IP. This initiative by the Japan Patent Office aims to support this endeavor, and we will closely monitor and actively support this movement. We hope that management strategies utilizing IP will become more widespread and contribute to the growth and development of SMEs.
