“Fortunately no damage was done either to the employees or to the building,” said Masahiro Hashimoto, Director General of the Trademark, Design and Administrative Affairs Department at the JPO.
Hashimoto is attending the Annual Meeting, and thanks the trademark community for its responce. “Since the earthquake, we have received many heartfelt words and assistance from our friends and colleagues all over the world. We are encouraged by their warm and kind support,” he said.
The JPO took special measures that included extending time limits for applicants who could not carry out prescribed procedures or contact the JPO. Many IP offices around the world have agreed to the JPO’s request to set up special procedures for Japanese applicants who were badly affected by the earthquakes.
