JPO Has Established a New Patent Classification for IoT based Technology

On November 14, 2016, the Japan Patent Office (JPO) announced the introduction of a newly created patent classification for Internet of Things (IoT) based technology signified by the mark ZIT.

Owing to the recent surge in technology related to the IoT, there has been a growing desire to know the trend of patent applications related to the latest IoT technology and which cases have received patents.

In response to this need, the JPO created the new classification, which will be in effect as of the beginning of 2017. This change will make it possible to comprehensively search information related to IoT technology on the JPO’s patent information search website, ‘J-PlatPat’.

Furthermore, the JPO has been meeting with other IP Offices including the IP5 and WIPO in order to promote and encourage the adoption of this new classification by other IP Offices throughout the world.