The expert committee recommends clarification of patentable subject matter by rewriting the examination manual.

The following five categories of inventions are patentable in current practice. According to the committee, however, researchers and IP managers are often unaware that such categories of inventions may be protected under current Japanese practice.

1. An invention characterized by a novel combination of known articles.
2. An invention characterized by a step of treating, for example, human cells ex vivo.
3. An invention characterized by a use of human- or aminal-derived materials, such as cells.
4. An invention with difficulties in specifying cells.
5. An invention of in the field of assist devices.