Survey on patent applications for medical communications and telemedicine in Japan

We have studied on the trends in patent applications for medical communications and telemedicine in Japan in reference to the publication of laid-open patents, as well as future methods for patent protection of related technologies. We suggest "grant royalty-based non-exclusive rights to physicians" measure that would ensure incentives for medical technology inventions while providing full protection for physicians' medical activities. In such a measure, the government or taxpayers would pay royalties on behalf of physicians who use the patented technologies. We expect that this measure would maximize incentives for medical technology inventions and provide full protection for medical activities. Amending patent laws based on the above proposal would allow for patent protection of medical practices, and the proper patent protection of telemedicine would encourage the development of telemedicine technologies.