Fee calculation system and feature amount acquisition system

Abstract

To provide a fee calculation system suitable for reflecting content of an integration object case.SOLUTION: A trademark support device 100 obtains, based on product information on a designated product (service) related to an integration object case, a first feature amount related to the integration object case (for example, the number of segments related to the integration object case) and a second feature amount related to an integration case (for example, the number of segments related to the integration case), and calculates an agent fee based on the obtained first feature amount and second feature amount. As a result, it is possible to reflect content of the integration object case as compared with before.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for calculating fees for cases such as trademarks, and more particularly to a fee calculation system and a feature acquisition system suitable for reflecting the contents of cases to be integrated. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for calculating fees relating to cases such as trademarks is known, for example, as described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The technology described in Patent Document 1, when filing a new trademark registration application (hereinafter referred to as an "integrated application") that integrates multiple trademark registrations, calculates the agency fee for the integrated application (the portion of the integration fee W that corresponds to the agency fee) by multiplying the number of categories in the integrated application by the agency fee in the fee schedule W (ibid. document

[0110]

[0113]

[0114] ). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7204268 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the agency fee is calculated based only on the content (number of classes) of the integrated application, so there is a problem in that the content of the multiple trademark registrations to be integrated (hereinafter referred to as "integrated registrations") cannot be reflected. Specifically, there are the following problems, for example:

[0006] If many products that do not comply with the current examination standards are specified in the integrated registration, it is necessary to change these to products that comply with the current examination standards when filing an integrated application, which requires a lot of work, and the agent fees set forth in Patent Document 1 may not be commensurate with the work of the agent. The same applies to the work of the agent to resolve deficiencies arising from the contents of the integrated registration.

[0007] Conversely, if there are few defects arising from the contents of the integration target registration and the agent's work is small, the agent fee set forth in Patent Document 1 may be too high for the client to pay.

[0008] These are not limited to deficiencies caused by the content of the registrations to be integrated, but similar problems are expected to occur depending on the number of items, number of categories, and other content of the registrations to be integrated. This is because the amount of work tends to increase if the number of items or categories is large, and the amount of work tends to decrease if the number of items or categories is small.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention has been made with a focus on the unresolved issues inherent in such conventional technology, and aims to provide a fee calculation system and feature acquisition system that are suitable for reflecting the contents of the cases to be integrated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor has come up with a solution in which the fee for the integrated cases is calculated taking into account the contents of the cases to be integrated (one or more cases to be integrated).

[0011] [Invention 1] In order to achieve the above object, the fee calculation system of Invention 1 comprises a feature acquisition means for acquiring a first characteristic value for a plurality of cases including trademark registration applications, trademark registrations, defensive mark registration applications, or defensive mark registrations for identical, substantially identical or similar trademarks or marks, or trademarks or marks that include the trademarks or marks as part of their components, based on information about the plurality of cases, or the first characteristic value and a second characteristic value for an integrated case that integrates the plurality of cases, and a fee calculation means for calculating a fee for the integrated case or an adjusted value thereof, based on the first characteristic value or the first characteristic value and the second characteristic value acquired by the feature acquisition means.

[0012] With this configuration, the feature acquisition means determines the first feature or the first feature and the second feature based on information about the multiple cases, and the fee calculation means calculates the fee or an adjustment value thereof for the integrated case based on the determined first feature or the first feature and the second feature.

[0013] Here, the feature quantity refers to a numerical representation of the attribute, characteristic or feature of the case, and includes, for example, the attribute value or characteristic value of the case. The same applies to the fee calculation systems of Inventions 2 and 3 and the feature quantity estimation systems of Inventions 9 to 11 below.

[0014] In addition, examples of the first characteristic include, for example, (A) the number of cases (hereinafter referred to as "cases to be consolidated" in this paragraph and the next paragraph), (B) the number of products or services related to the cases to be consolidated, (C) the number of groups (e.g., classifications or similar group codes) to which the products or services related to the cases to be consolidated belong, (D) the presence or absence of or the number of products or services related to the cases to be consolidated that meet specified criteria (e.g., examination criteria or other criteria), (E) the presence or absence of products or services related to the cases to be consolidated that do not meet specified criteria, (F) the presence or absence of specific products or services related to the cases to be consolidated (e.g., product "XX" of product "XX (excluding XX)"), (G) the presence or absence of specific characters (e.g., the characters "However") related to the cases to be consolidated, (H) the presence or absence of specific groups (e.g., Class 35 or 35K01 to 35K99) related to the cases to be consolidated, (I) the presence or absence of the products or services in one or more classes related to the cases to be consolidated. (J) whether the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the cases to be integrated exceeds a predetermined number, (K) whether or not there are or the number of goods, services, or groups that satisfy a predetermined condition in the cases to be integrated, (L) whether or not there are or the number of goods, services, or groups that do not satisfy a predetermined condition in the cases to be integrated, (M) the number of applicants, right holders, or agents related to the cases to be integrated, (N) whether or not there are or the number of specific applicants, right holders, or agents related to the cases to be integrated, (O) whether or not there are specific procedures (e.g., submission of a certificate of intention to use) or dispositions (e.g., notice of reasons for refusal) in the cases to be integrated, (P) the number of characters in documents (e.g., application documents) related to the cases to be integrated, and (Q) statistics of information on the cases to be integrated (e.g., frequency of occurrence, occurrence rate, rank, difference, variance, standard error, standard deviation, deviation value, average value, median, mode, kurtosis, skewness, minimum value, maximum value, and other statistics). The same applies below to the fee calculation system of invention 2 and the feature estimation systems of inventions 9 and 10.

[0015] In addition, examples of the second feature include (a) the number of integrated cases, (b) the number of products or services related to the integrated cases, (c) the number of groups to which the products or services related to the integrated cases belong, (d) the presence or absence of or the number of products or services related to the integrated cases that meet the specified criteria, (e) the presence or absence or the number of products or services related to the integrated cases that do not meet the specified criteria, (f) the presence or absence or the number of specific products or services related to the integrated cases, (g) the presence or absence or the number of products or services containing specific characters related to the integrated cases, (h) the presence or absence or the number of specific groups related to the integrated cases, (i) the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the integrated cases, and (j) the number of consolidated The statistics include whether the number of similar group codes exceeds a predetermined number in one or more categories related to the combined case, (k) whether or not there are any products, services, or groups that satisfy a predetermined condition in the combined case, or the number of such products, services, or groups that do not satisfy a predetermined condition in the combined case, (m) the number of applicants, right holders, or agents related to the combined case, (n) whether or not there are any specific applicants, right holders, or agents related to the combined case, (o) whether or not there is any specific procedure or disposition in the combined case, (p) the number of characters in the documents related to the combined case, and (q) (a) to (p) other statistics regarding the combined case. The group to which the products or services related to the combined case belong includes, for example, a group to which the products or services related to the combined case belong, and a group to which the products or services that are modified from the products or services related to the combined case (for example, products or services that meet a predetermined standard) belong. The same applies to the fee calculation system of invention 2 and the feature estimation systems of inventions 9 and 10.

[0016] In addition, combinations of the first feature and the second feature include, for example, (A) and (a), (B) and (b), (C) and (c), (D) and (d), (E) and (e), (F) and (f), (G) and (g), (H) and (h), (I) and (i), (J) and (j), (K) and (k), (L) and (l), (M) and (m), (N) and (n), (O) and (o), (P) and (p), (Q) and (q), and any of (A) to (Q) and any of (a) to (q) (excluding the above combinations). The same applies below to the fee calculation system of invention 2 and the feature estimation systems of inventions 9 and 10.

[0017] Furthermore, the information on a case includes, for example, information for identifying the case (for example, name, number, ID, code, link information such as URL), information on the product or service related to the case or the group to which it belongs, information on the applicant or right holder related to the case, and information on the agent related to the case. Furthermore, the information on a case may be configured as, for example, characters, numbers, figures, codes, symbols, images, sounds, and other information. The same applies below to the fee estimation system of invention 6, the feature estimation system of invention 9, and the case information estimation system of invention 12.

[0018] Also, obtaining the feature by the feature acquisition means includes, for example, calculating the feature, acquiring the feature from the case-related information or other information when the feature is included in the information, and outputting a first value (e.g., "1") if the relevant product, service, group, etc. exists, and a second value (e.g., "0") if the relevant product, service, group, etc. does not exist. The same applies below to the fee calculation systems of Inventions 2 and 3.

[0019] The fee adjustment value includes, for example, values ​​for adjusting the unit price, quantity, amount, and other elements so that the fee is calculated by the fee calculation means as a component for calculating the fee for the integrated project. The same applies to the fee calculation systems of Inventions 2 and 3 and the fee estimation systems of Inventions 6 to 8.

[0020] In addition, integration includes (1) integration into one case, and (2) integration into multiple cases. The same applies to the fee calculation systems of inventions 2 and 3, the fee estimation systems of inventions 6 to 8, the feature estimation systems of inventions 9 to 11, and the case information estimation systems of inventions 12 to 14.

[0021] Furthermore, examples of multiple cases include (1) a case consisting of only a trademark registration application, (2) a case consisting of only a trademark registration, (3) a case consisting of a trademark registration application and a trademark registration, (4) a case consisting of only a defensive mark registration application, (5) a case consisting of only a defensive mark registration, (6) a case consisting of a defensive mark registration application and a defensive mark registration, and (7) a case consisting of a combination of a trademark registration application or a trademark registration and a defensive mark registration application or a defensive mark registration. The same applies below to the fee calculation system of invention 2, the fee estimation system of inventions 6 and 7, the feature estimation system of inventions 9 and 10, and the case information estimation system of inventions 12 and 13.

[0022] Also, a configuration including an acquisition means for acquiring information on a plurality of cases of identical, substantially identical or similar trademarks or marks, or trademarks or marks including the trademark or mark as a part of the configuration, from a storage means for storing information on cases including trademark registration applications, trademark registrations, defensive mark registration applications or defensive mark registrations may be adopted. The acquisition means may acquire information on each of the plurality of cases, or may acquire information on all contents of the plurality of cases. For example, information on some contents of the plurality of cases and information on other contents of the plurality of cases may be acquired. In other words, the unit of the case and the unit of information do not necessarily have to be the same, and can be configured independently. The storage means may store information on the case by any means and at any time, and may store information on the case in advance, or may store information on the case by input from outside during operation of the system without storing information on the case in advance. The same applies to the fee estimation system of invention 6, the feature estimation system of invention 9, and the case information estimation system of invention 12 below.

[0023] Furthermore, this system may be realized as a single device, terminal, or other equipment, or may be realized as a network system in which multiple devices, terminals, or other equipment are communicatively connected. In the latter case, each component may belong to any of the multiple devices, etc., as long as they are communicatively connected. The same applies to the fee calculation systems of inventions 2 and 3, the fee estimation systems of inventions 6 to 8, the feature estimation systems of inventions 9 to 11, and the case information estimation systems of inventions 12 to 14.

[0024] [Invention 2] Furthermore, the fee calculation system of Invention 2 comprises a feature acquisition means for acquiring a first feature for a plurality of cases, including a trademark registration application, trademark registration, defensive mark registration application, or defensive mark registration, based on product information relating to goods or services designated in the plurality of cases, or a group to which the goods or services belong, for an identical, substantially identical or similar trademark or mark, or a trademark or mark that includes the trademark or mark as part of its configuration, or a second feature for an integrated case that integrates the first feature and the goods or services relating to the plurality of cases; and a fee calculation means for calculating a fee for the integrated case or an adjusted value thereof, based on the first feature or the first feature and the second feature acquired by the feature acquisition means.

[0025] With this configuration, the feature acquisition means determines the first feature or the first feature and the second feature based on product information for multiple cases, and the fee calculation means calculates the fee or an adjustment value thereof for the integrated case based on the determined first feature or the first feature and the second feature.

[0026] Here, the product information may be configured, for example, as information for identifying the product or service or the group to which it belongs (for example, a name, a number, an ID, a code, link information such as a URL). The product information may also be configured, for example, as characters, numbers, figures, codes, symbols, images, sounds, and other information. The product information may also be configured as keywords relating to the product or service or the group to which it belongs (for example, one or more keywords indicating part of the name of the product or service). The same applies below to the fee calculation system of invention 3, the fee estimation system of inventions 7 and 8, the feature estimation system of inventions 10 and 11, and the case information estimation system of inventions 13 and 14.

[0027] In addition, the product information includes, for example, (1) product information on the goods or services designated in the case (referred to as "designated goods, etc." in this paragraph) or the group to which they belong, (2) product information on the goods or services of a higher concept that includes the designated goods, etc. or the group to which they belong, (3) product information on the goods or services of a lower concept that includes the designated goods, etc. or the group to which they belong, (4) product information on the goods or services that meet the specified criteria and correspond to the designated goods, etc. or the group to which they belong, and (5) product information on the goods or services that have replaced the designated goods, etc. in the rewriting system, etc. (goods or services before or after rewriting) or the group to which they belong. The same applies to the fee calculation system of invention 3, the fee estimation system of inventions 7 and 8, the feature estimation system of inventions 10 and 11, and the case information estimation system of inventions 13 and 14.

[0028] The contents of the case include, for example, the designated goods or designated services (referred to as "designated goods, etc." in this paragraph) related to the case, or goods or services related thereto (referred to as "related goods, etc." in this paragraph). The contents may include some of the designated goods, etc. or related goods, etc., and may not necessarily include all the designated goods, etc. or related goods, etc. In addition, the related goods, etc. include, for example, (1) goods or services of a higher concept that includes the designated goods, etc., (2) goods or services of a lower concept that includes the designated goods, etc., (3) goods or services that meet the specified criteria and correspond to the designated goods, etc., and (4) goods or services that have replaced the designated goods, etc. in the rewriting system, etc. (goods or services before or after rewriting). The same applies to the fee calculation system of invention 3, the fee estimation system of inventions 7 and 8, the feature estimation system of inventions 10 and 11, and the case information estimation system of inventions 13 and 14.

[0029] Also, a configuration including an acquisition means for acquiring product information on the goods or services designated in a plurality of cases, or the group to which the goods or services belong, for the same, substantially identical or similar trademark or mark, or the trademark or mark including the trademark or mark as a part of its configuration, from a storage means for storing product information on the goods or services designated in a case including a trademark registration application, a trademark registration, an application for defensive mark registration, or a defensive mark registration, or the group to which the goods or services belong. Also, the acquisition means may, for example, acquire product information on each of the plurality of cases, or may acquire product information on all contents of the plurality of cases. Also, for example, product information on some contents of the plurality of cases and product information on other contents of the plurality of cases may be acquired. In other words, the unit of the case and the unit of the product information do not necessarily need to be the same, and can be configured independently. Also, the storage means is one that stores the product information by any means and at any time, and may be one that stores the product information in advance, or may be one that does not store the product information in advance and stores the product information by input from the outside during the operation of the present system. The same applies to the fee estimation system of Invention 7, the feature estimation system of Invention 10, and the case information estimation system of Invention 13.

[0030] [Invention 3] Furthermore, the fee calculation system of Invention 3 comprises a feature acquisition means for acquiring a first feature for one or more cases including a trademark registration application, trademark registration, defensive mark registration application, or defensive mark registration for an identical, substantially identical or similar trademark or mark, or a trademark or mark that includes the trademark or mark as part of its configuration, based on product information for the goods or services specified in the one or more cases, or a group to which the goods or services belong, and product information for additional goods or services, or a group to which the goods or services belong, and a second feature for an integrated case that integrates the first feature and the goods or services related to the one or more cases and the additional goods or services; and a fee calculation means for calculating a fee for the integrated case or an adjusted value thereof, based on the first feature or the first feature and the second feature acquired by the feature acquisition means.

[0031] With this configuration, the feature acquisition means determines the first feature or the first feature and the second feature based on the product information and additional product information related to one or more cases, and the fee calculation means calculates the fee or an adjustment value thereof for the integrated case based on the determined first feature or the first feature and the second feature.

[0032] Here, the first characteristic amount may be, for example, (A) the number of one or more cases (hereinafter referred to as "cases to be integrated" in this paragraph and the next paragraph), (B) the number of products or services related to the cases to be integrated, (C) the number of groups to which the products or services related to the cases to be integrated belong, (D) the presence or absence of or the number of products or services related to the cases to be integrated that meet specified criteria, (E) the presence or absence of products or services related to the cases to be integrated that do not meet specified criteria, (F) the presence or absence of specific products or services related to the cases to be integrated, (G) the presence or absence of products or services containing specific characters related to the cases to be integrated, (H) the presence or absence of specific groups related to the cases to be integrated, or (I) one or more categories related to the cases to be integrated. The number of similar group codes in each category, (J) whether the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the cases to be integrated exceeds a predetermined number, (K) whether or not there are or the number of products, services, or groups that satisfy a predetermined condition in the cases to be integrated, (L) whether or not there are or the number of products, services, or groups that do not satisfy a predetermined condition in the cases to be integrated, (M) the number of applicants, right holders, or agents related to the cases to be integrated, (N) whether or not there are or the number of specific applicants, right holders, or agents related to the cases to be integrated, (O) whether or not there are specific procedures or dispositions related to the cases to be integrated, (P) the number of characters in the documents related to the cases to be integrated, and (Q) statistics of information on the cases to be integrated, (A) to (P). The same applies below in the feature estimation system of invention 11.

[0033] In addition, examples of the second feature include (a) the number of integrated cases, (b) the number of products or services related to the integrated cases, (c) the number of groups to which the products or services related to the integrated cases belong, (d) the presence or absence of or the number of products or services related to the integrated cases that meet the specified criteria, (e) the presence or absence or the number of products or services related to the integrated cases that do not meet the specified criteria, (f) the presence or absence or the number of specific products or services related to the integrated cases, (g) the presence or absence or the number of products or services containing specific characters related to the integrated cases, (h) the presence or absence or the number of specific groups related to the integrated cases, (i) the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the integrated cases, and (j) the number of consolidated The statistics include whether the number of similar group codes in one or more categories of the integrated case exceeds a predetermined number, (k) whether or not there are any products, services, or groups that satisfy a predetermined condition in the integrated case, or the number of such products, services, or groups that do not satisfy a predetermined condition in the integrated case, (m) the number of applicants, right holders, or agents in the integrated case, (n) whether or not there are any specific applicants, right holders, or agents in the integrated case, (o) whether or not there is any specific procedure or disposition in the integrated case, (p) the number of characters in the documents in the integrated case, and (q) (a) to (p) other statistics of information on the integrated case. The group to which the products or services in the integrated case belong includes, for example, a group to which the products or services in the integrated case belong, and a group to which the products or services in the integrated case that have been modified from the products or services in the integrated case (for example, products or services that meet a predetermined standard) belong. The same applies to the feature estimation system of the invention 11 below.

[0034] Combinations of the first feature and the second feature include, for example, (A) and (a), (B) and (b), (C) and (c), (D) and (d), (E) and (e), (F) and (f), (G) and (g), (H) and (h), (I) and (i), (J) and (j), (K) and (k), (L) and (l), (M) and (m), (N) and (n), (O) and (o), (P) and (p), (Q) and (q), and any of (A) to (Q) and any of (a) to (q) (excluding the above combinations). The same applies to the feature estimation system of the eleventh invention.

[0035] Furthermore, one or more cases include, for example, (1) a case consisting of only a trademark registration application, (2) a case consisting of only a trademark registration, (3) a case consisting of a trademark registration application and a trademark registration, (4) a case consisting of only a defensive mark registration application, (5) a case consisting of only a defensive mark registration, (6) a case consisting of a defensive mark registration application and a defensive mark registration, and (7) a case consisting of a combination of a trademark registration application or a trademark registration and a defensive mark registration application or a defensive mark registration. The same applies below to the fee estimation system of invention 8, the feature estimation system of invention 11, and the case information estimation system of invention 14.

[0036] Also, a configuration including an acquisition means for acquiring product information on the goods or services designated in a plurality of cases, or the group to which the goods or services belong, for the same, substantially identical or similar trademark or mark, or the trademark or mark including the trademark or mark as a part of its configuration, from a storage means for storing product information on the goods or services designated in a case including a trademark registration application, a trademark registration, an application for defensive mark registration, or a defensive mark registration, or the group to which the goods or services belong. Also, the acquisition means may acquire product information for one case or for each of a plurality of cases, or may acquire product information on all contents of one or a plurality of cases. Also, for example, product information on a part of the contents of one or a plurality of cases and product information on the other parts of the contents may be acquired. In other words, the unit of the case and the unit of the product information do not necessarily need to be the same, and can be configured independently. Also, the storage means is one that stores the product information by any means and at any time, and may be one that stores the product information in advance, or may be one that does not store the product information in advance and stores the product information by an external input or the like during the operation of the system. The same applies to the fee estimation system of invention 8, the feature estimation system of invention 11, and the case information estimation system of invention 14.

[0037] [Invention 4] Furthermore, the fee calculation system of Invention 4 is a fee calculation system of any one of Inventions 1 to 3, wherein the first characteristic is the number of cases to be integrated, the number of products or services specified in the cases to be integrated, or the number of groups to which the products or services belong, and the second characteristic is the number of integrated cases, the number of products or services specified in the integrated cases, or the number of groups to which the products or services belong.

[0038] With this configuration, the feature acquisition means obtains the number of cases to be integrated, the number of products or services specified in the cases to be integrated, or the number of groups to which the products or services belong as first features, and the number of integrated cases, the number of products or services specified in the integrated cases, or the number of groups to which the products or services belong as second features.

[0039] [Invention 5] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a feature acquisition system of invention 5 includes the feature acquisition means according to any one of inventions 1 to 4.

[0040] [Invention 6] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the fee estimation system of Invention 6 comprises an acquisition means for acquiring information on a plurality of cases including trademark registration applications, trademark registrations, defensive mark registration applications, or defensive mark registrations for identical, substantially identical or similar trademarks or marks, or trademarks or marks that include the trademarks or marks as part of their components, and an estimation means for estimating the fees or their adjusted values ​​for the integrated case from the information on the cases acquired by the acquisition means, using a trained model that has been trained based on information on a plurality of the cases and information on the fees or their adjusted values ​​for an integrated case that integrates the plurality of cases.

[0041] With this configuration, the acquisition means acquires information regarding multiple cases, and the estimation means estimates the fee or its adjustment value for the integrated case from the acquired information about the cases using a trained model that has been trained based on the information regarding the multiple cases and the information about the fee or its adjustment value for the integrated case.

[0042] [Invention 7] Furthermore, the fee estimation system of Invention 7 comprises an acquisition means for acquiring product information relating to goods or services designated in a plurality of cases including trademark registration applications, trademark registrations, defensive mark registration applications, or defensive mark registrations for identical, substantially identical or similar trademarks or marks, or trademarks or marks that include the trademarks or marks as part of their components, or a group to which the goods or services belong; and an estimation means for estimating the fees or an adjustment value thereof relating to the integrated case from the product information acquired by the acquisition means, using a trained model that has been trained based on the product information relating to the goods or services designated in a plurality of the cases or the group to which the goods or services belong, and information on the fees or adjustment values ​​thereof relating to an integrated case that integrates the goods or services related to the plurality of cases.

[0043] With this configuration, the acquisition means acquires product information relating to multiple cases, and the estimation means estimates the price or its adjustment value relating to the integrated case from the acquired product information using a trained model that has been trained based on the product information relating to the multiple cases and information on the price or its adjustment value relating to the integrated case.

[0044] [Invention 8] Furthermore, the fee estimation system of Invention 8 comprises an acquisition means for acquiring product information on the goods or services designated in one or more cases including a trademark registration application, trademark registration, defensive mark registration application, or defensive mark registration for an identical, substantially identical or similar trademark or mark, or a trademark or mark that includes the trademark or mark as part of its configuration, or product information on additional goods or services or the group to which they belong, and an estimation means for estimating the fee or an adjustment value thereof for the integrated case from the product information acquired by the acquisition means, using a trained model that has been trained based on the product information on the goods or services designated in one or more of the cases or the group to which they belong, the product information on the additional goods or services or the group to which they belong, and information on the fees or adjustment values ​​thereof for an integrated case that integrates the goods or services related to the one or more cases and the additional goods or services.

[0045] With this configuration, the acquisition means acquires product information and additional product information relating to one or more cases, and the estimation means estimates the price or its adjustment value relating to the integrated case from the acquired product information using a trained model that has been trained based on the product information relating to one or more cases, the additional product information, and information on the price or its adjustment value relating to the integrated case.

[0046] [Invention 9] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the feature estimation system of Invention 9 comprises an acquisition means for acquiring information on a plurality of cases including trademark registration applications, trademark registrations, defensive mark registration applications, or defensive mark registrations for identical, substantially identical or similar trademarks or marks, or trademarks or marks that include the trademarks or marks as part of their configuration, and an estimation means for estimating the first feature or the second feature from the information on the cases acquired by the acquisition means, using a trained model that has been trained based on information on a plurality of the cases and information on first feature values ​​related to the plurality of cases or information on second feature values ​​related to an integrated case that integrates the plurality of cases.

[0047] With this configuration, the acquisition means acquires information about a plurality of cases, and the estimation means estimates the first feature or the second feature from the acquired information about the cases using a trained model that has been trained based on the information about the plurality of cases and the information about the first feature or the second feature.

[0048] [Invention 10] Furthermore, the feature estimation system of Invention 10 comprises an acquisition means for acquiring product information relating to goods or services designated in a plurality of cases including trademark registration applications, trademark registrations, defensive mark registration applications, or defensive mark registrations for identical, substantially identical or similar trademarks or marks, or trademarks or marks that include the trademarks or marks as part of their components, or a group to which the goods or services belong; and an estimation means for estimating the first feature or the second feature from the product information acquired by the acquisition means using a trained model that has been trained on the product information relating to the goods or services designated in a plurality of cases or a group to which the goods or services belong, and information on first feature values ​​relating to the plurality of cases or second feature values ​​relating to an integrated case that integrates the goods or services related to the plurality of cases.

[0049] With this configuration, the acquisition means acquires product information relating to a plurality of items, and the estimation means estimates the first feature or the second feature from the acquired product information using a trained model that has been trained based on the product information relating to the plurality of items and information on the first feature or the second feature.

[0050] [Invention 11] Furthermore, the feature estimation system of Invention 11 comprises an acquisition means for acquiring product information on the goods or services designated in one or more cases including a trademark registration application, trademark registration, defensive mark registration application, or defensive mark registration for an identical, substantially identical or similar trademark or mark, or a trademark or mark including the trademark or mark as part of its configuration, or product information on additional goods or services or the group to which they belong; and an estimation means for estimating the first feature or the second feature from the product information acquired by the acquisition means using a trained model that has been trained on the product information on the goods or services designated in one or more of the cases or the group to which they belong, the product information on the additional goods or services or the group to which they belong, and first feature information on the one or more cases, or second feature information on an integrated case that integrates the goods or services related to the one or more cases and the additional goods or services.

[0051] With this configuration, the acquisition means acquires product information and additional product information relating to one or more cases, and the estimation means estimates the first feature or the second feature from the acquired product information using a trained model trained based on the product information relating to one or more cases, the additional product information, and information on the first feature or the second feature.

[0052] [Invention 12] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the case information estimation system of Invention 12 comprises an acquisition means for acquiring information on a plurality of cases including trademark registration applications, trademark registrations, defensive mark registration applications, or defensive mark registrations for identical, substantially identical or similar trademarks or marks, or trademarks or marks that include the trademarks or marks as part of their configuration, and an estimation means for estimating information on the integrated case from information on the cases acquired by the acquisition means, using a trained model that has been trained based on information on a plurality of the cases and information on an integrated case that integrates the plurality of cases.

[0053] With this configuration, the acquisition means acquires information regarding multiple cases, and the estimation means estimates information regarding the integrated case from the acquired information regarding the cases using a trained model that has been trained based on the information regarding the multiple cases and the information regarding the integrated case.

[0054] [Invention 13] Furthermore, the case information estimation system of Invention 13 comprises an acquisition means for acquiring product information relating to goods or services designated or a group to which they belong in a plurality of cases including trademark registration applications, trademark registrations, defensive mark registration applications, or defensive mark registrations for identical, substantially identical or similar trademarks or marks, or trademarks or marks that include the trademarks or marks as part of their components, and an estimation means for estimating the second product information from the product information acquired by the acquisition means using a trained model that has been trained on the product information relating to the goods or services designated in the plurality of cases or the group to which they belong, and second product information relating to the goods or services designated in an integrated case that integrates the goods or services related to the plurality of cases, or the group to which they belong.

[0055] With this configuration, the acquisition means acquires product information relating to a plurality of cases, and the estimation means estimates the second product information from the acquired product information using a trained model trained based on the product information relating to the plurality of cases and the second product information relating to the integrated case.

[0056] [Invention 14] Furthermore, the case information estimation system of Invention 14 comprises an acquisition means for acquiring product information on the goods or services designated or a group to which they belong, and product information on additional goods or services or a group to which they belong, in one or more cases including a trademark registration application, trademark registration, defensive mark registration application, or defensive mark registration for an identical, substantially identical or similar trademark or mark, or a trademark or mark that includes the trademark or mark as part of its configuration, and an estimation means for estimating the second product information from the product information acquired by the acquisition means, using a trained model that has been trained on the product information on the goods or services designated or the group to which they belong in one or more of the cases, the product information on the additional goods or services or the group to which they belong, and second product information on the goods or services designated or the group to which they belong in an integrated case that integrates the goods or services related to the one or more cases and the additional goods or services.

[0057] With this configuration, the acquisition means acquires product information and additional product information relating to one or more cases, and the estimation means estimates the second product information from the acquired product information using a trained model trained based on the product information relating to one or more cases, the additional product information, and the second product information relating to the integrated case. Effect of the Invention

[0058] As described above, according to the fee calculation system of Invention 1 or 2, the fee or its adjustment value for the integrated case is calculated based on the first characteristic value for multiple cases, so that the content of the cases to be integrated can be reflected more than in the conventional method.

[0059] Furthermore, according to the fee calculation system of Invention 3, the fee or its adjustment value for the integrated case is calculated based on the first characteristic value for one or more cases, so that it is possible to reflect the contents of the cases to be integrated and the addition of products or services or groups to which they belong more than in the past.

[0060] On the other hand, according to the feature acquisition system of Invention 5, based on the obtained first feature or the first feature and the second feature, for example, it is possible to calculate a fee or an adjustment value thereof, evaluate multiple cases, or evaluate an integration.

[0061] On the other hand, according to the fee estimation system of the sixth to eighth aspects, since estimation is performed using a trained model, it is expected that the fee or its adjustment value corresponding to an unknown case can be obtained. Therefore, compared to the conventional method, it is possible to reflect the contents of the cases to be integrated.

[0062] On the other hand, according to the feature estimation system of the inventions 9 to 11, since estimation is performed using a trained model, it is expected that the first feature or the second feature corresponding to an unknown case can be obtained. Based on the first feature or the second feature, for example, it is possible to calculate a fee or an adjustment value thereof, evaluate multiple cases, or evaluate integration.

[0063] On the other hand, according to the case information estimation system of the inventions 12 to 14, since estimation is performed using a trained model, it is expected that information on integrated cases corresponding to unknown cases can be obtained. Based on the information on the integrated cases, for example, a trademark registration application or a defensive mark registration application can be filed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0064] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a trademark support device 100. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of a product information table 400. [Diagram 3] 13 is a flowchart showing a fee calculation process. [Figure 4] This is the screen for inputting the name and address of the right holder. [Diagram 5] This is the screen for selecting a trademark. [Figure 6] This is a screen for inputting the identification number of the right holder. [Figure 7] This is the screen for entering the registration number. [Figure 8] This is the screen for entering a trademark. [Figure 9] This is the screen for selecting a rights holder. [Figure 10] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the result of calculating the agent fee F according to formulas (4) to (6) for the trademark registration in FIG. 26, assuming r=0.5. [Figure 11] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the result of calculating the agent fee F according to equations (5) to (7) for r=1 for the trademark registration in FIG. 26. [Figure 12] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the result of calculating the agent fee F according to formula (9) with r=0.5 for the trademark registration in FIG. 26. [Figure 13] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the result of calculating the agent fee F according to formula (10) for r=1 for the trademark registration in FIG. 26. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of a product information table 420. [Figure 15]13 is a flowchart showing a fee calculation process. [Figure 16] This is a screen for inputting the name and address of a business. [Figure 17] This is the screen for selecting a trademark. [Figure 18] This is a screen for inputting a business operator identification number. [Figure 19] This is the screen for entering the application number or registration number. [Figure 20] 13 is a screen for selecting a business operator. [Figure 21] 13 is a flowchart showing a fee calculation process. [Figure 22] This is a screen for inputting additional categories. [Diagram 23] 13 is a flowchart showing a fee calculation process. [Figure 24] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the process of generating and using a trained model. [Diagram 25] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system. [Figure 26] This is a table summarizing the maintenance fees, consolidation fees, and agency fees for each of the same trademarks held by a business entity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0065] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Figures 1 to 13 are diagrams showing this embodiment.

[0066] (Definition of terms) In the following explanation, trademark registration applications and trademark registrations are collectively referred to as "trademark registration cases", multiple trademark registration cases to be integrated are referred to as "integrated cases", and a trademark registration application that integrates the designated goods (services) of the integrated cases is referred to as an "integrated case". In addition, goods or services are referred to as "goods (services)", goods or services designated in a trademark registration application or trademark registration are referred to as "designated goods (services)", and applicants and rights holders are collectively referred to as "businesses". In addition, the agent's fees and stamp duty at the time of application are referred to as "application costs", the agent's fees and stamp duty at the time of registration are referred to as "registration costs", and the agent's fees and stamp duty at the time of renewal are referred to as "renewal costs". In addition, the application stamp duty and registration stamp duty are referred to as "acquisition stamp duty".

[0067] First, the configuration of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a trademark support device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 1, the trademark support device 100 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30 which controls calculations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32 which stores the control program etc. of the CPU 30 in a predetermined area, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 34 which stores data read from the ROM 32 etc. and calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 30, and an I / F (InterFace) 38 which mediates the input and output of data to and from external devices. These are connected to each other and capable of sending and receiving data by a bus 39 which is a signal line for transferring data.

[0069] Connected to the I / F 38 as external devices are an input device 40 consisting of a keyboard, mouse, etc. capable of inputting data as a human interface, a storage device 42 which stores data, tables, etc. as files, and a display device 44 which displays a screen based on an image signal.

[0070] The trademark support device 100 calculates the agency fee when a new trademark registration application is filed that integrates multiple trademark registrations held by the same right holder for the same trademark.

[0071] Next, the data structure of the storage device 42 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the data structure of the product information table 400. As shown in FIG.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 2, the storage device 42 stores a product information table 400. The product information table 400 can be created, for example, based on the trademark gazette issued by the Japan Patent Office.

[0073] 2, one or more records are registered in the product information table 400. Each record includes a field 401 for registering the registration number of the trademark registration (hereinafter, simply referred to as "registration number"), a field 402 for registering the trademark related to the trademark registration, a field 403 for registering the name or title of the right holder of the trademark registration (hereinafter, the name or title will be referred to as "title"), a field 404 for registering the address or residence of the right holder of the trademark registration (hereinafter, the address or residence will be referred to as "address"), a field 405 for registering an identification number for identifying the right holder of the trademark registration (for example, an applicant identification number), a field 406 for registering the category to which the designated goods (services) related to the trademark registration belong, and a field 407 for registering the designated goods (services) related to the trademark registration.

[0074] In the example of FIG. 2, the records in the first to fifth lines are product information corresponding to the trademark registration held by the right holder "A Co., Ltd.", and similarly, the records in the sixth to ninth lines are product information corresponding to the trademark registration held by the right holder "B Co., Ltd.". In addition, in the example of FIG. 2, the record in the first line has the registration number "9,999,981," the trademark "A," the name "A Co., Ltd.", the address "Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture," the identification number "0001," the category "30," and the designated goods (services) "confectionery, bread, sandwiches." This indicates that A Co., Ltd., located in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, has a trademark registration with the registration number "9,999,981," the trademark related to the trademark registration is "A," the designated goods (services) related to the trademark registration are "confectionery, bread, sandwiches," and the category to which the designated goods (services) related to the trademark registration belong is Class 30.

[0075] The storage device 42 also stores a matching product table in which products (services) that match predetermined criteria (eg, screening criteria or other criteria) are registered.

[0076] Next, the fee calculation process executed by the CPU 30 will be described. The CPU 30 is made up of an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit) or the like, and starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 32, and executes a fee calculation process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 in accordance with the program.

[0077] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the fee calculation process. The fee calculation process is executed in response to a request from a user, and when executed by the CPU 30, first, the process proceeds to step S100 as shown in FIG.

[0078] In step S100, product information is acquired. The product information can be acquired, for example, in the following manner.

[0079] (1st acquisition method) FIG. 4 shows the screen for entering the name and address of the rights holder. The first acquisition method is to enter the name and address of the rights holder in the input screen of Figure 4 and press the search button to obtain product information by searching product information table 400 for product information about the same trademark that corresponds to the entered name and address of the rights holder.

[0080] In the example of Fig. 4, "A Co., Ltd." is entered as the name of the right holder, and "Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture" is entered as the address, so product information for the same trademark that corresponds to that name and address is searched for in the product information table 400. As a result, product information (information in fields 401 to 407) corresponding to the trademark registration held by A Co., Ltd. for either trademark "A" or "B" is obtained.

[0081] (Second acquisition method) Figure 5 shows the trademark selection screen. The second acquisition method involves inputting the name and address of the right holder in the input screen of Fig. 4, searching for corresponding product information from product information table 400, and displaying a list of registration numbers and trademarks based on the retrieved product information in the selection screen of Fig. 5. Then, by selecting a trademark using the checkbox displayed in the selection screen of Fig. 5 and pressing the decision button, product information for the selected trademark can be acquired.

[0082] In the example of Figure 5, a list of the registration numbers of trademarks owned by Company A and the associated trademarks "A" and "B" is displayed, with a check box displayed to the left of each registration number. The user selects the same trademark by checking the check box using an input device 40 such as a mouse, and presses the OK button with the same selected. This allows product information about the selected trademark to be obtained.

[0083] (Third acquisition method) FIG. 6 shows a screen for inputting the rights holder's identification number. The third acquisition method is to enter the identification number of the rights holder in the input screen of Figure 6 and press the search button to obtain product information by searching product information table 400 for product information about the same trademark corresponding to the entered identification information.

[0084] In the example of FIG. 6, the identification number "0001" of Company A is entered, so product information about the same trademark that corresponds to that identification number is searched for in the product information table 400.

[0085] (4th acquisition method) The fourth acquisition method involves inputting the right holder's identification number in the input screen of Fig. 6, searching for corresponding product information from product information table 400, and displaying a list of registration numbers and trademarks based on the retrieved product information in the selection screen of Fig. 5. Then, by selecting the same trademark using the checkboxes displayed in the selection screen of Fig. 5 and pressing the confirm button, product information for the selected trademark can be acquired.

[0086] (5th acquisition method) FIG. 7 shows the screen for entering the registration number. The fifth acquisition method is a method in which product information is acquired by entering a registration number in the input screen of Figure 7 and pressing the search button to search product information corresponding to the entered registration number from product information table 400.

[0087] 7, the user inputs "9,999,981", "9,999,982", "9,999,983", and "9,999,984" as registration numbers related to the same trademark, and presses the search button. This causes the product information corresponding to these registration numbers to be searched for in the product information table 400.

[0088] (6th acquisition method) Figure 8 shows the screen for entering a trademark. The sixth acquisition method is a method in which product information is obtained by inputting a trademark in the input screen of Figure 8 and pressing the search button to search product information for the same rights holder that corresponds to the entered trademark from product information table 400.

[0089] In the example of FIG. 8, since trademark "A" has been entered, product information about "Company A", which is the same right holder corresponding to trademark "A", is searched from product information table 400.

[0090] (7th acquisition method) FIG. 9 shows a screen for selecting a rights holder. The seventh acquisition method is a method in which a trademark is input on the input screen of Fig. 8 and a search button is pressed to search for product information corresponding to the input trademark from the product information table 400, and a list of right holders is displayed on the selection screen of Fig. 9 based on the retrieved product information. Then, a right holder is selected using the checkboxes displayed on the selection screen of Fig. 9 and the decision button is pressed to acquire product information about the input trademark and the selected right holder.

[0091] (8th acquisition method) The eighth acquisition method is a method of acquiring product information by directly inputting product information about the same brand from the input device 40 without using the product information table 400.

[0092] Next, the process proceeds to step S102, where a first characteristic amount for the integration target cases is obtained based on the product information acquired in step S100. As a method for obtaining the first characteristic amount, for example, the following method can be adopted.

[0093] (A) Number of projects to be integrated A large number of cases to be integrated will tend to result in a large volume of work for the integrated cases, and a small number of cases will tend to result in a small volume of work. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be integrated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of cases to be integrated.

[0094] Based on the acquired product information, the number of cases to be integrated is calculated as a first characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated first characteristic amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if there are two trademark registrations to be integrated, the calculation is made as "2".

[0095] (B) Number of designated goods (services) related to the cases to be integrated The greater the number of designated goods (services) related to the cases to be integrated, the greater the volume of work for the integrated case will be, and the fewer the number of designated goods (services), the less the volume of work will be. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be integrated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of designated goods (services) related to the cases to be integrated.

[0096] Based on the acquired product information, the number of designated goods (services) related to the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated first characteristic amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if trademark registration A to be integrated has three designated goods (services) and trademark registration B has five designated goods (services), the calculation is 3+5="8."

[0097] (C) Number of categories related to projects to be integrated The greater the number of categories related to the cases to be integrated, the greater the volume of work for the cases to be integrated, and the fewer the number of categories, the less work there will be. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be integrated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of categories related to the cases to be integrated.

[0098] Based on the acquired product information, the number of categories related to the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated first characteristic amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if the trademark registration A to be integrated has three categories and the trademark registration B has five categories, the calculation is 3+5="8".

[0099] (D) Whether or not there are designated goods (services) that meet the prescribed criteria for the integration target cases If the cases to be consolidated do not have any designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria, the amount of work for the consolidated cases will increase in order to resolve the deficiencies, and if there are designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria, the amount of work tends to decrease. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not the cases to be consolidated have designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria.

[0100] Based on the acquired product information and the matching product table, the presence or absence of a designated product (service) that matches the predetermined criteria for the integration target case is output as a first characteristic amount, and the information on the output first characteristic amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a designated product (service) that matches the predetermined criteria exists in the integration target case, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output.

[0101] (E) The number of designated goods (services) that meet the prescribed criteria for the cases to be integrated If the number of designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria in the cases to be consolidated is small, the amount of work required to resolve the deficiencies will be large, and if the number of designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria is large, the amount of work will tend to be smaller. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria in the cases to be consolidated.

[0102] Based on the acquired product information and the matching product table, the number of designated products (services) that match a predetermined criterion for the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated first characteristic amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if trademark registration A to be integrated has three designated products (services) and trademark registration B has five designated products (services), the calculation is 3+5=8.

[0103] (F) Whether there are any designated goods (services) in the integration cases that do not meet the prescribed criteria If the cases to be consolidated contain designated goods (services) that do not meet the specified criteria, the amount of work for the consolidated cases will increase in order to resolve the deficiencies, and if there are no designated goods (services) that do not meet the specified criteria, the amount of work tends to decrease. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not the cases to be consolidated contain designated goods (services) that do not meet the specified criteria.

[0104] Based on the acquired product information and the matching product table, the presence or absence of designated products (services) that do not conform to the specified criteria for the integration target cases is output as a first characteristic amount, and the information on the output first characteristic amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if the integration target cases include designated products (services) that do not conform to the specified criteria, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output.

[0105] (G) The number of designated goods (services) that do not meet the prescribed criteria in relation to the cases to be integrated If the cases to be consolidated have a large number of designated goods (services) that do not meet the specified criteria, the amount of work required to resolve the deficiencies will be greater, and if the number of designated goods (services) that do not meet the specified criteria is small, the amount of work will tend to be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of designated goods (services) that do not meet the specified criteria in the cases to be consolidated.

[0106] Based on the acquired product information and the conforming product table, the number of designated goods (services) that do not conform to the predetermined criteria for the merged cases is calculated as a first characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated first characteristic amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if there are three designated goods (services) in trademark registration A to be merged and there are five designated goods (services) in trademark registration B, the calculation is 3+5="8".

[0107] (H) Whether or not there are specific designated goods (services) in the cases to be integrated If the cases to be consolidated contain specific designated goods (services) (for example, retail services in Class 35 such as “○○ (excluding XX)” and the product “XX”), the amount of work for the consolidated cases will be greater due to investigations, etc., and if there are no specific designated goods (services), the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not the cases to be consolidated contain specific designated goods (services).

[0108] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a specific designated product (service) for the cases to be integrated is output as a first feature, and the information on the output first feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a specific designated product (service) exists in the cases to be integrated, a "1" is output, and if it does not exist, a "0" is output. The specific designated product (service) is not limited to the above example, and can be defined arbitrarily. The same applies below.

[0109] (I) The number of specific designated goods (services) in the cases to be integrated If the cases to be consolidated contain a large number of specific designated goods (services) (for example, retail services in Class 35 such as “○○ (excluding XX)” and “XX”), the amount of work required for investigation, etc. will be large, and if the number of specific designated goods (services) is small, the amount of work will be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of specific designated goods (services) for the cases to be consolidated.

[0110] Based on the acquired product information, the number of specific designated goods (services) for the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated first characteristic amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if trademark registration A to be integrated has three designated goods (services) and trademark registration B has five designated goods (services), the calculation is 3+5=8.

[0111] (J) Whether or not there are any designated goods (services) containing specific characters in the cases to be integrated If the cases to be consolidated contain designated goods (services) containing specific characters (for example, the character "however"), the amount of work for the consolidated cases may increase due to the need for investigation, etc., and if there are no designated goods (services) containing specific characters, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not the cases to be consolidated contain designated goods (services) containing specific characters.

[0112] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a designated product (service) containing a specific character for the integration target case is output as a first feature, and the information of the output first feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a designated product (service) containing a specific character exists in the integration target case, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output. The specific character is not limited to the above example and can be defined arbitrarily. The same applies below.

[0113] (K) Number of designated goods (services) containing specific characters in the cases to be integrated If the cases to be consolidated contain a large number of designated goods (services) that contain specific characters (for example, the character "however"), the amount of work required for the consolidated cases will be large due to investigations, etc., and if the number of designated goods (services) that contain specific characters is small, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of designated goods (services) that contain specific characters in the cases to be consolidated.

[0114] Based on the acquired product information, the number of designated goods (services) containing specific characters for the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first feature amount, and the information on the calculated first feature amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if trademark registration A to be integrated has three designated goods (services) and trademark registration B has five designated goods (services), the calculation is 3+5=8.

[0115] (L) Whether there are specific categories of projects to be integrated If the cases to be consolidated have a specific classification (for example, Class 35), the amount of work for the consolidated cases may be greater due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if there is no specific classification, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not the cases to be consolidated have a specific classification.

[0116] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a specific category for the cases to be integrated is output as a first feature, and the information on the output first feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a specific category exists in the cases to be integrated, "1" is output, and if it does not exist, "0" is output. The specific category is not limited to the above example, and can be defined arbitrarily. The same applies below.

[0117] (M) Number of specific categories of projects to be integrated If the cases to be consolidated have a large number of specific categories (e.g., Class 35), the amount of work for the consolidated cases will be large due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if the number of specific categories is small, the amount of work will be small. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of specific categories for the cases to be consolidated.

[0118] Based on the acquired product information, the number of specific categories for the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated first characteristic amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if the trademark registration A to be integrated has three applicable categories and the trademark registration B has five applicable categories, the calculation is 3+5="8".

[0119] (N) Whether or not there are designated goods (services) or classes that satisfy the prescribed conditions for the integration subject cases If the cases to be consolidated do not have any designated goods (services) or classes that meet the specified conditions (for example, designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria or classes other than Class 35), the amount of work for the consolidated cases will increase in order to resolve deficiencies, etc., and if there are designated goods (services) or classes that meet the specified conditions, the amount of work may be reduced. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not the cases to be consolidated have designated goods (services) or classes that meet the specified conditions.

[0120] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a designated product (service) or category that satisfies a predetermined condition for the cases to be integrated is output as a first feature, and the information on the output first feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a designated product (service) or category that satisfies the predetermined condition exists in the cases to be integrated, a "1" is output, and if not, a "0" is output. Only designated products (services) that satisfy the predetermined condition may be targeted, or only categories that satisfy the predetermined condition may be targeted, or both may be targeted.

[0121] (O) The number of designated goods (services) or classes that satisfy the prescribed conditions for the cases to be integrated If the number of designated goods (services) or classes that meet the specified conditions in the cases to be consolidated (for example, designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria or classes other than Class 35) is small, the amount of work for the consolidated cases will be large in order to resolve deficiencies, etc., and if there are a large number of designated goods (services) or classes that meet the specified conditions, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of designated goods (services) or classes that meet the specified conditions in the cases to be consolidated.

[0122] Based on the acquired product information, the number of designated goods (services) or categories that satisfy a predetermined condition for the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first feature amount, and the information on the calculated first feature amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if trademark registration A to be integrated has three designated goods (services) or categories and trademark registration B has five designated goods (services) or categories, the calculation is 3+5="8." Only designated goods (services) that satisfy the predetermined condition may be targeted, only categories that satisfy the predetermined condition may be targeted, or both may be targeted.

[0123] (P) Whether there are any designated goods (services) or classes of goods or services that do not satisfy the prescribed conditions for the projects to be integrated If the cases to be consolidated contain designated goods (services) or classes that do not meet the specified conditions (for example, designated goods (services) or Class 35 that do not meet the specified criteria), the amount of work for the consolidated cases will increase in order to resolve the deficiencies, etc., and if there are no designated goods (services) or classes that do not meet the specified conditions, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not the cases to be consolidated contain designated goods (services) or classes that do not meet the specified conditions.

[0124] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of designated products (services) or categories that do not satisfy the specified conditions for the cases to be integrated is output as a first feature, and the information on the output first feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if designated products (services) or categories that do not satisfy the specified conditions exist in the cases to be integrated, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output. Only designated products (services) that do not satisfy the specified conditions may be targeted, only categories that do not satisfy the specified conditions may be targeted, or both may be targeted.

[0125] (Q) Number of designated goods (services) or classes that do not satisfy the prescribed conditions for the integration target cases If there are a large number of designated goods (services) or classes in the cases to be consolidated that do not meet the specified conditions (for example, designated goods (services) or Class 35 that do not meet the specified criteria) the amount of work required for resolving the deficiencies will be large, and if there are a small number of designated goods (services) or classes that do not meet the specified conditions the amount of work will be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of designated goods (services) or classes in the cases to be consolidated that do not meet the specified conditions.

[0126] Based on the acquired product information, the number of designated goods (services) or categories that do not satisfy the specified conditions for the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first feature amount, and the information on the calculated first feature amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if trademark registration A to be integrated has three designated goods (services) or categories and trademark registration B has five designated goods (services) or categories, the calculation is 3+5="8." Only designated goods (services) that do not satisfy the specified conditions may be targeted, only categories that do not satisfy the specified conditions may be targeted, or both may be targeted.

[0127] (R) Number of rights holders related to the projects to be integrated If there are a large number of rights holders involved in the cases to be consolidated, the amount of work for the consolidated case will be greater due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if there are a small number of rights holders, the amount of work will tend to be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate agency fees taking into account the number of rights holders involved in the cases to be consolidated.

[0128] Based on the acquired product information, the number of right holders related to the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first feature amount, and the information of the calculated first feature amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there are three right holders of trademark registration A to be integrated and five right holders of trademark registration B, the calculation is 3+5=8. It is also possible to add applicant information to product information table 400 and calculate the number of applicants related to the cases to be integrated as the first feature amount.

[0129] (S) Whether there are any specific rights holders for the projects to be integrated If there is a specific rights holder in the cases to be consolidated (for example, a business holding numerous trademark registrations), the amount of work for the consolidated cases may be greater due to investigations and additional procedures, etc., and if there is no specific rights holder, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate agency fees taking into account whether or not there is a specific rights holder in the cases to be consolidated.

[0130] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a specific right holder for the cases to be integrated is output as a first feature, and the information of the output first feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a specific right holder exists in the cases to be integrated, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output. Applicant information may be added to product information table 400, and the presence or absence of a specific applicant for the cases to be integrated may be output as a first feature. The specific right holder may be defined arbitrarily. The same applies below.

[0131] (T) Number of specific rights holders for the projects to be integrated If there are a large number of specific rights holders in the cases to be consolidated (for example, businesses holding numerous trademark registrations), the amount of work for the consolidated cases will be large due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if there are a small number of specific rights holders, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate agency fees taking into account the number of specific rights holders in the cases to be consolidated.

[0132] Based on the acquired product information, the number of specific right holders for the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first feature, and the information on the calculated first feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if trademark registration A to be integrated has three right holders and trademark registration B has five right holders, the calculation is 3+5=8. Applicant information may be added to product information table 400, and the number of specific applicants for the cases to be integrated may be calculated as the first feature.

[0133] Next, the process proceeds to step S104, where a second feature amount related to the integrated case is obtained based on the product information acquired in step S100. As a method for obtaining the second feature amount, for example, the following method can be adopted.

[0134] (a) Number of integration projects Since a large number of integrated cases tends to result in a large amount of work for the integrated cases, and a small number of cases tends to result in a small amount of work, it may be possible to calculate the agency fee taking into account the number of integrated cases in order to reflect the content of the integrated cases.

[0135] Based on the acquired product information, the number of integrated cases is calculated as a second feature amount, and the calculated second feature amount information is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there is one integrated case, the second feature amount is calculated as "1." Note that since the second feature amount can be calculated based on the acquired product information, it is not necessary to generate document information for the integrated case. The same applies to the following (b) to (t).

[0136] (b) Number of designated goods (services) related to the integrated project The greater the number of designated goods (services) related to the integrated case, the greater the volume of work for the integrated case tends to be, and the fewer the number of designated goods (services), the less the volume of work tends to be. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of designated goods (services) related to the integrated case.

[0137] Based on the acquired product information, the number of designated products (services) related to the integrated case is calculated as a second characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated second characteristic amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if the number of designated products (services) related to the integrated case is six, the calculation is made as "6."

[0138] (c) Number of categories related to integration projects A larger number of categories in an integrated case tends to result in a larger volume of work for the integrated case, and a smaller number of categories tends to result in a smaller volume of work. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of categories in the integrated case.

[0139] Based on the acquired product information, the number of categories related to the integrated case is calculated as a second characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated second characteristic amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if the number of categories related to the integrated case is six, the calculation is set to "6."

[0140] (d) Whether or not there are designated goods (services) that meet the prescribed criteria for the integration project If there are no designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria in the integrated case, the amount of work for the integrated case will increase in order to resolve the deficiencies, and if there are designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria, the amount of work tends to decrease. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not there are designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria for the integrated case.

[0141] Based on the acquired product information and the matching product table, the presence or absence of a designated product (service) that matches the specified criteria for the integrated case is output as a second feature, and the information on the output second feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a designated product (service) that matches the specified criteria exists in the integrated case, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output.

[0142] (e) The number of designated goods (services) that meet the prescribed criteria in the integrated case If the number of designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria in an integrated case is small, the amount of work required to resolve the deficiencies will be large, and if the number of designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria is large, the amount of work will tend to be smaller. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria in the integrated case.

[0143] Based on the acquired product information and the matching product table, the number of designated products (services) for the integrated case that match the predetermined criteria is calculated as a second characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated second characteristic amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there are six designated products (services) among the designated products (services) related to the integrated case, the calculation is made as "6."

[0144] (f) Whether there are any designated goods (services) in the integrated project that do not meet the prescribed criteria If there are designated goods (services) in the integrated case that do not meet the specified standards, the amount of work for the integrated case will increase in order to resolve the deficiencies, and if there are no designated goods (services) that do not meet the specified standards, the amount of work tends to decrease. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not there are designated goods (services) in the integrated case that do not meet the specified standards.

[0145] Based on the acquired product information and the matching product table, the presence or absence of designated products (services) that do not meet the specified criteria for the integrated case is output as a second feature, and the information on the output second feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a designated product (service) that does not meet the specified criteria is present in the integrated case, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output.

[0146] (g) The number of designated goods (services) that do not meet the prescribed criteria in the integrated case If there are a large number of designated goods (services) in an integrated case that do not meet the specified criteria, the amount of work required to resolve the deficiencies will be large, and if there are a small number of designated goods (services) that do not meet the specified criteria, the amount of work will tend to be smaller. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of designated goods (services) in the integrated case that do not meet the specified criteria.

[0147] Based on the acquired product information and the conforming product table, the number of designated products (services) for the integrated case that do not conform to the predetermined criteria is calculated as a second characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated second characteristic amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there are six designated products (services) among the designated products (services) for the integrated case, the calculation is made as "6."

[0148] (h) Whether there are any specific designated goods (services) in the integration project If the integrated case contains specific designated goods (services) (for example, retail services in Class 35 such as “○○ (excluding XX)” and the product “XX”), the amount of work for the integrated case will be greater due to investigations, etc., and if there are no specific designated goods (services), the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not the integrated case contains specific designated goods (services).

[0149] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a specific designated product (service) for the integrated case is output as a second characteristic amount, and the output information of the second characteristic amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if a specific designated product (service) is present in the integrated case, "1" is output, and if it is not present, "0" is output.

[0150] (i) The number of specific designated goods (services) in the integrated case If there are a large number of specific designated goods (services) in an integrated case (for example, retail services in Class 35 such as “○○ (excluding XX)” and product “XX”), the amount of work required for investigation, etc. will be large in the integrated case, and if there are a small number of specific designated goods (services), the amount of work will be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of specific designated goods (services) in the integrated case.

[0151] Based on the acquired product information, the number of specific designated products (services) for the integrated case is calculated as a second characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated second characteristic amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there are six designated products (services) among the designated products (services) related to the integrated case, the calculation is made as "6."

[0152] (j) Whether or not there are any designated goods (services) containing specific characters in the integrated case If the integrated case contains designated goods (services) containing specific characters (for example, the character "however"), the amount of work for the integrated case may increase due to the need for investigation, etc., and if the integrated case does not contain designated goods (services) containing specific characters, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not the integrated case contains designated goods (services) containing specific characters.

[0153] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a designated product (service) containing a specific character for the integrated case is output as a second feature, and the information on the output second feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a designated product (service) containing a specific character exists in the integrated case, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output.

[0154] (k) Number of designated goods (services) containing specific characters in the integrated case If the number of designated goods (services) containing specific characters (for example, the character "however") in an integrated case is large, the amount of work for the integrated case will be large due to investigation, etc., and if the number of designated goods (services) containing specific characters is small, the amount of work will be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of designated goods (services) containing specific characters in the integrated case.

[0155] Based on the acquired product information, the number of designated products (services) containing specific characters for the integrated case is calculated as a second feature, and the information on the calculated second feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there are six designated products (services) among the designated products (services) related to the integrated case, the second feature is calculated as "6."

[0156] (l) Whether there are specific classifications for the integration projects If there is a specific classification in the integrated case (for example, Class 35), the workload of the integrated case may be greater due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if there is no specific classification, the workload may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the presence or absence of a specific classification for the integrated case.

[0157] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a specific category for the integrated case is output as a second feature, and the output information on the second feature is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if a specific category exists in the integrated case, "1" is output, and if it does not exist, "0" is output.

[0158] (m) The number of specific categories for the integration project If the number of specific categories (e.g., Class 35) in an integrated case is large, the amount of work in the integrated case may be large due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if the number of specific categories is small, the amount of work may be small. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of specific categories for the integrated case.

[0159] Based on the acquired product information, the number of specific categories for the integrated case is calculated as a second feature amount, and the calculated information on the second feature amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if there are six categories among the categories related to the integrated case, the calculation is made as "6".

[0160] (n) Whether or not there are any designated goods (services) or classes that satisfy the prescribed conditions regarding the integration project If there are no designated goods (services) or classes in an integrated case that satisfy the specified conditions (for example, designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria or classes other than Class 35), the amount of work for the integrated case will increase in order to resolve deficiencies, etc., whereas the amount of work may decrease if there are designated goods (services) or classes that satisfy the specified conditions. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not there are designated goods (services) or classes in the integrated case that satisfy the specified conditions.

[0161] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a designated product (service) or category that satisfies a predetermined condition for the integrated case is output as a second feature, and the output information of the second feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a designated product (service) or category that satisfies the predetermined condition exists in the integrated case, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output. Only designated products (services) that satisfy the predetermined condition may be targeted, or only categories that satisfy the predetermined condition may be targeted, or both may be targeted.

[0162] (o) The number of designated goods (services) or classes that satisfy the prescribed conditions in the integrated case If the number of designated goods (services) or classes that satisfy the specified conditions in an integrated case (for example, designated goods (services) that meet the specified criteria or classes other than Class 35) is small, the amount of work for the integrated case will be large in order to resolve deficiencies, etc., and if there are a large number of designated goods (services) or classes that satisfy the specified conditions, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of designated goods (services) or classes that satisfy the specified conditions for the integrated case.

[0163] Based on the acquired product information, the number of designated products (services) or categories that satisfy a predetermined condition for the integrated case is calculated as a second feature amount, and the information on the calculated second feature amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there are six designated products (services) or categories among the designated products (services) or categories related to the integrated case, the calculation is set to "6." Only designated products (services) that satisfy the predetermined condition may be targeted, only categories that satisfy the predetermined condition may be targeted, or both may be targeted.

[0164] (p) Whether there are any designated goods (services) or classes that do not satisfy the prescribed conditions in the integrated project If there are any designated goods (services) or classes in the integrated case that do not meet the specified conditions (for example, designated goods (services) or Class 35 that do not meet the specified criteria), the amount of work for the integrated case will increase in order to resolve the deficiencies, etc., and if there are no designated goods (services) or classes that do not meet the specified conditions, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not there are any designated goods (services) or classes in the integrated case that do not meet the specified conditions.

[0165] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of designated products (services) or categories that do not satisfy the specified conditions for the integrated case is output as a second feature, and the output information on the second feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a designated product (service) or category that does not satisfy the specified conditions exists in the integrated case, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output. Only designated products (services) that do not satisfy the specified conditions may be targeted, only categories that do not satisfy the specified conditions may be targeted, or both may be targeted.

[0166] (q) The number of designated goods (services) or classes that do not satisfy the prescribed conditions in the integrated case If there are a large number of designated goods (services) or classes in an integrated case that do not meet the specified conditions (for example, designated goods (services) or Class 35 that do not meet the specified criteria) the amount of work required for resolving the deficiencies will be large, and if there are a small number of designated goods (services) or classes that do not meet the specified conditions the amount of work will be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of designated goods (services) or classes that do not meet the specified conditions in the integrated case.

[0167] Based on the acquired product information, the number of designated products (services) or categories that do not satisfy the specified conditions for the integrated case is calculated as a second feature, and the information on the calculated second feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there are six designated products (services) or categories among the designated products (services) or categories related to the integrated case, the calculation is set to "6." Only designated products (services) that do not satisfy the specified conditions may be targeted, only categories that do not satisfy the specified conditions may be targeted, or both may be targeted.

[0168] (r) Number of applicants in integrated cases If there are a large number of applicants involved in an integrated case, the amount of work for the integrated case will be large due to the need for investigations and additional procedures, etc., and if the number of applicants is small, the amount of work tends to be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of applicants involved in the integrated case.

[0169] Based on the acquired product information, the number of applicants related to the integrated case (including applicants in the case where the rights holders related to the cases to be integrated are the applicants of the integrated case or applicants in the case where applicant information has been acquired separately; the same applies below in (s) and (t)) is calculated as a second feature, and the information on the calculated second feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there are six applicants related to the integrated case, it is calculated as "6."

[0170] (s) Whether there is a specific applicant in the consolidated case If there is a specific applicant for the integrated case (for example, a business holding numerous trademark registrations), the workload for the integrated case may be greater due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if there is no specific applicant, the workload may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not there is a specific applicant for the integrated case.

[0171] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a specific applicant for the integrated case is output as a second feature, and the output information of the second feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a specific applicant is present in the integrated case, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output. The specific applicant can be defined arbitrarily. The same applies below.

[0172] (t) Number of specific applicants in consolidated cases If there are a large number of specific applicants in a consolidated case (for example, businesses holding numerous trademark registrations), the amount of work for the consolidated case may be large due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if there are a small number of specific applicants, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the consolidated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of specific applicants in the consolidated case.

[0173] Based on the acquired product information, the number of specific applicants for the integrated case is calculated as a second characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated second characteristic amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there are six applicants among the applicants related to the integrated case, the calculation is set to "6."

[0174] Next, the process proceeds to step S106, where the agent fee is calculated based on the first characteristic amount and the second characteristic amount obtained in steps S102 and S104. As a method for calculating the agent fee, for example, the following method can be adopted.

[0175] (1st calculation method) Any one of the information on the first characteristic amounts (A) to (T) and any one of the information on the second characteristic amounts (a) to (t) are read from RAM 34, and based on the read information on the first characteristic amount and the information on the second characteristic amount, the first characteristic amount is designated as v1 and the second characteristic amount is designated as v2, and an agent fee F is calculated using the following formulas (1) to (3), and the information on the calculated agent fee F is stored in RAM 34.

[0176] f1 = a1 × v1 + b1 … (1) f2 = a2 × v2 + b2 … (2) F = (f1-f2) × r …(3) Here, a1, a2, b1, b2, and r are coefficients, and b1 and b2 can be "0." When there are multiple first feature amounts, each first feature amount may be multiplied by a common coefficient or by a different coefficient. The same applies when there are multiple second feature amounts.

[0177] As the combination of the first feature and the second feature, for example, (A) and (a), (B) and (b), (C) and (c), (D) and (d), (E) and (e), (F) and (f), (G) and (g), (H) and (h), (I) and (i), (J) and (j), (K) and (k), (L) and (l), (M) and (m), (N) and (n), (O) and (o), (P) and (p), (Q) and (q), (R) and (r), (S) and (s), (T) and (t), any of (A) to (T) and any of (a) to (t) (excluding the above combinations) can be adopted. In addition, a combination of one first feature and multiple second feature, a combination of multiple first feature and one second feature, or a combination of multiple first feature and multiple second feature can be adopted. The same applies to the following calculation methods.

[0178] However, in the case of the technology described in Patent Document 1, depending on the content of the integrated application, the integration costs may exceed the maintenance costs. In this case, filing an integrated application would actually increase costs, so the business operator would decide not to integrate.

[0179] Figure 26 is a table summarizing the maintenance fees, consolidation fees, and agency fees for each of the same trademarks held by a business entity when the business entity has multiple trademark registrations.

[0180] Figure 26 shows an example where there are 20 groups of trademark registrations related to the same trademark. When calculating the agency fees using the technology described in Patent Document 1, the integration fee is lower than the maintenance fee only for groups No. 7, 12, and 13, but the integration fee exceeds the maintenance fee for the other 17 groups.

[0181] However, there are cases where merging brings long-term cost benefits for businesses. In the example of Figure 26, even for groups other than No. 7, 12, and 13, there are cases where merging brings long-term cost benefits if the businesses themselves carry out the merging procedures without asking an agent.

[0182] Next, a first calculation example will be explained using a combination of the first feature amount (A) (C) and the second feature amount (c). In the first calculation example, it is assumed that the right holder has requested a patent office to carry out the trademark registration renewal procedure. In this case, a "renewal fee" is incurred to maintain the trademark registration. For such a right holder, it is easy to propose a cost benefit if the agency fee F is calculated so that the sum of the agency fee F and the acquired stamp duty is equal to or less than the "renewal fee."

[0183] The first characteristic amount (A) is v1, the first characteristic amount (C) is v2, and the second characteristic amount (c) is v3, and the agent fee F is calculated by the following formulas (4) to (6).

[0184] f1 = 33,000×v1+43,600×v2 …(4) f2 = 3,400+(8,600+32,900)×v3…(5) F = (f1-f2) × r …(6) Here, "33,000" is the agent's fee for the previous renewal, "43,600" is the renewal stamp fee, "3,400" and "8,600" are the filing stamp fees, "32,900" is the registration stamp fee, and r is the rate. In other words, f1 is the renewal fee for the cases to be integrated, f2 is the acquisition stamp fee for the integrated cases, and F is the difference between the renewal fee and the acquisition stamp fee multiplied by the rate.

[0185] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the result of calculating the agency fee F for the trademark registration in FIG. 26 using formulas (4) to (6) with r=0.5.

[0186] In Figure 2, a trademark registration including only one class is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this and may include trademark registrations including two or more classes. In this case, for example, if a trademark registration including classes 29 and 30 is merged with a trademark registration including classes 30 and 31, the number of classes related to the merged case will be three, namely classes 29, 30, and 31. In the example of Figure 10, trademark registrations including two or more classes are included in the cases to be merged.

[0187] As shown in Figure 10, for all groups No. 1 to 20, the agency fee F was calculated taking into account the content of the cases to be consolidated, and the total, including the acquired stamp duty, was less than the renewal cost. Therefore, it is easier for rights holders to decide to consolidate all groups, since the total of the agency fee and the acquired stamp duty will be less than the renewal cost. Moreover, agency fee F is not extremely low, but is an amount that corresponds to the amount of work involved in the consolidation procedure, taking into account the content of the cases to be consolidated. In addition, since it is calculated using a fixed formula, it is easy to explain the rationality of the fee to rights holders.

[0188] r can be set to any value. The agency fee F increases as it approaches "1" from "0.5", and when it reaches "1", the sum of the agency fee F and the acquisition stamp duty becomes the same as the "renewal fee". Conversely, the agency fee F decreases as it approaches "0" from "0.5", and when it reaches "0", it becomes "0" (free). "0.5" means that the agency fee F will be an amount equivalent to half the "renewal fee".

[0189] Next, a second calculation example will be explained using a combination of the first feature amount (C) and the second feature amount (c) as an example. In the second calculation example, it is assumed that the right holder performs the trademark registration renewal procedure in-house, without requesting a patent office. In this case, a "renewal stamp duty" is incurred to maintain the trademark registration. For such right holders, it is easy to propose cost benefits if the agency fee F is calculated so that the sum of the agency fee F and the acquisition stamp duty is the same amount as the "renewal stamp duty" or less than the "renewal stamp duty."

[0190] The first feature amount (C) is v2, the second feature amount (c) is v3, and the agent fee F is calculated using the above formulas (5) and (6) and the below formula (7).

[0191] f1 = 43,600 × v2 …(7) Here, f1 is the renewal stamp duty of the projects to be integrated, and F in the above equation (6) is the difference between the renewal stamp duty and the acquisition stamp duty multiplied by the rate.

[0192] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the result of calculating the agent fee F for the trademark registration in FIG. 26 using equations (5) to (7) with r=1.

[0193] As shown in Figure 11, for all groups No. 1 to 20, the agency fee F was calculated taking into account the contents of the cases to be integrated, and the total of the acquisition stamp fee and the stamp fee was the same as the renewal stamp fee. Therefore, although the total of the agency fee and the acquisition stamp fee is the same as the renewal stamp fee, it is easier for the rights holder to decide to integrate all groups, since the integration fee falls below the maintenance fee from the 10th year onwards. Moreover, agency fee F is not extremely low, but is an amount that corresponds to the amount of work required for the integration procedure, taking into account the contents of the cases to be integrated. In addition, since it is calculated using a fixed formula, it is easy to explain the rationality of the fee to the rights holder.

[0194] r can be set to any value. The agency fee F increases as it approaches "1" from "0.5", and when it reaches "1", the sum of the agency fee F and the acquisition stamp fee becomes the same amount as the "renewal stamp fee". Conversely, the agency fee F decreases as it approaches "0" from "0.5", and when it reaches "0", it becomes "0" (free). "0.5" means that the agency fee F will be an amount equivalent to half the "renewal stamp fee".

[0195] From the viewpoint of cost merit, it is desirable that the agency fee F be equal to or less than the maintenance cost of the cases to be integrated. In the above formulas (4) to (7), by setting the value of r to "1" or less, the agency fee F can be calculated so that it is equal to or less than the maintenance cost (= renewal cost or renewal stamp duty). In addition, when an equation such as the above formula (4) or (7) for calculating the maintenance cost is not used to calculate the agency fee F, the maintenance cost can be calculated separately, and the calculated maintenance cost and the agency fee F can be compared and the smaller value can be used as the agency fee F. As a method for calculating the maintenance cost, for example, the technology of Patent Document 1 can be adopted.

[0196] The determination of whether the fee is equal to or less than the maintenance fee can be made by grouping multiple trademark registrations related to the same trademark into one group (20 groups in the examples of Figures 10 and 11), as in the first and second calculation examples above, or by multiple groups. In the latter case, for example, even if the agency fee F for a certain group exceeds the maintenance fee, it is sufficient that the agency fee F for multiple groups or all groups is equal to or less than the maintenance fee.

[0197] (Second calculation method) In the first calculation method, the above formulas (1) to (7) are configured as first-order polynomial functions, but second-order or higher order polynomial functions and other functions (for example, rational functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, hyperbolic functions, inverse hyperbolic functions, and Gudermann functions; the same applies to the fourth calculation method below) can also be adopted. In this case, the coefficients multiplied by the variables v1 and v2 except for one of them and the coefficients not multiplied by the variables v1 and v2 can take "0". The functions for calculating f1 and the functions for calculating f2 may have different dimensions or types. In addition, when there are multiple first feature amounts, a common function may be applied to each first feature amount, or different functions may be applied to each first feature amount. The same applies when there are multiple second feature amounts.

[0198] (Third calculation method) Any one of the information on the first characteristic amounts (A) to (T) and any one of the information on the second characteristic amounts (a) to (t) are read from RAM 34, and based on the read information on the first characteristic amount and the information on the second characteristic amount, the first characteristic amount is v1, the second characteristic amount is v2, and d=v1-v2, and an agent fee F is calculated using the following formula (8), and the information on the calculated agent fee F is stored in RAM 34.

[0199] F = (a1×d+b1)×r …(8) Here, a1, b1, and r are coefficients, and b1 can be "0". Also, d = |v1-v2| may be used. Furthermore, when there are multiple first feature amounts, a common d may be calculated for each first feature amount, or a separate d may be calculated. When multiple first feature amounts are included in the formula for calculating d, each first feature amount may be multiplied by a common coefficient, or a separate coefficient may be multiplied. When multiple d are calculated, each d may be multiplied by a common coefficient, or a separate coefficient may be multiplied. The same applies when there are multiple second feature amounts.

[0200] Next, a third calculation example will be explained using a combination of the first feature amount (A) (C) and the second feature amount (c). In the third calculation example, it is assumed that the right holder has requested a patent office to carry out the trademark registration renewal procedure. For such a right holder, it is easy to propose a cost advantage by calculating the agency fee F so that the total of the agency fee F and the acquired stamp duty is equal to or less than the "renewal cost."

[0201] The first feature amount (A) is v1, the first feature amount (C) is v2, the second feature amount (c) is v3, and d=v2-v3, and the agent fee F is calculated by the following formula (9).

[0202] F = (33,000×v1+3,400+42,550×d)×r…(9) Here, "33,000" is the traditional agent fee for renewal, "3,400" is the application stamp fee, "42,550" is the average renewal stamp fee and registration stamp fee, and r is the rate.

[0203] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the result of calculating the agency fee F for the trademark registration in FIG. 26 using formula (9) with r=0.5.

[0204] As shown in Figure 12, for all groups No. 1 to 20, the agency fee F was calculated taking into account the content of the cases to be consolidated, and the total, including the acquired stamp duty, was less than the renewal cost. Therefore, it will be easier for rights holders to decide to consolidate all groups, as the total of the agency fee and the acquired stamp duty will be less than the renewal cost. Moreover, agency fee F is not extremely low, but is an amount that corresponds to the amount of work involved in the consolidation procedures, taking into account the content of the cases to be consolidated. In addition, since it is calculated using a fixed formula, it is easy to explain the rationality of the fee to rights holders.

[0205] Next, a fourth calculation example will be explained using a combination of the first feature amount (C) and the second feature amount (c). In the fourth calculation example, it is assumed that the right holder performs the trademark registration renewal procedure in-house, without requesting a patent office. For such right holders, it is easy to propose cost benefits if the agency fee F is calculated so that the sum of the agency fee F and the acquisition stamp duty is the same amount as the "renewal stamp duty" or less than the "renewal stamp duty."

[0206] The first feature (C) is v2, the second feature (c) is v3, and d=v2-v3, and the agent fee F is calculated by the following formula (10).

[0207] F = (3,400+42,550×d)×r…(10) FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the result of calculating the agency fee F for the trademark registration in FIG. 26 using equation (10) with r=1.

[0208] For groups No. 1-6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, and 18, the agency fee F was obtained as an amount in which the total of the acquisition stamp fee was less than the renewal stamp fee, as shown in FIG. 13. In contrast, for groups No. 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, and 20, the agency fee F was obtained as an amount in which the total of the acquisition stamp fee was greater than the renewal stamp fee. However, when the agency fee F was totaled for all groups, the total agency fee (total of agency fee F in FIG. 13) was calculated taking into account the contents of the cases to be integrated, and the total of the acquisition stamp fee (total of acquisition stamp fee in FIG. 13) was obtained as an amount in which the total of the acquisition stamp fee was less than the renewal stamp fee (total of renewal stamp fee in FIG. 13). Therefore, the right holder can easily decide to integrate all groups, since the total of the agency fee and the acquisition stamp fee is less than the renewal fee in total. Moreover, the agency fee F is not extremely low, but is an amount corresponding to the amount of work required for the integration procedure, taking into account the contents of the cases to be integrated. In addition, since the fee is calculated using a set formula, it is easy to explain the reasonableness of the fee to rights holders.

[0209] From the viewpoint of cost merit, it is desirable that the agency fee F be equal to or lower than the maintenance costs of the cases to be integrated. In addition to adjusting the value of r in the above formulas (9) and (10), it is also possible to calculate the maintenance costs separately, compare the calculated maintenance costs and the agency fee F, and adopt the smaller value as the agency fee F. The method of calculating the maintenance costs can employ, for example, the technology of Patent Document 1.

[0210] The determination of whether the fee is equal to or less than the maintenance fee can be made for each group (20 groups in the examples of Figures 12 and 13) of multiple trademark registrations related to the same trademark, as in the third and fourth calculation examples above, or for multiple groups. In the latter case, for example, as in the fourth calculation example above, even if the agency fee F for a certain group exceeds the maintenance fee, it is sufficient that the agency fee F for multiple groups or all groups is totaled to be equal to or less than the maintenance fee.

[0211] (4th calculation method) In the third calculation method, the above formulas (8) to (10) are configured as first-order polynomial functions, but second-order or higher order polynomial functions or other functions can also be adopted. In this case, all but one of the coefficients multiplied by the variable d and the coefficients not multiplied by the variable d can take the value "0". Furthermore, when there are multiple first feature amounts, a common function or separate functions can be applied to each of the first feature amounts. The same applies when there are multiple second feature amounts.

[0212] Then, the process proceeds to step S108, where the calculated agent fee is displayed on the display device 44, and the process ends.

[0213] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a first characteristic value for the case to be integrated and a second characteristic value for the integrated case are obtained based on product information regarding the designated product (service) related to the case to be integrated, and the agency fee is calculated based on the obtained first characteristic value and second characteristic value.

[0214] This makes it possible to reflect the contents of the projects to be integrated more accurately than was previously possible. In this embodiment, steps S102 and S104 correspond to the feature amount acquiring means of the first, second or fifth aspect of the invention, and step S106 corresponds to the fee calculating means of the first or second aspect of the invention.

[0215] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figures 14 to 20 are diagrams showing this embodiment. Figure 8 is also used.

[0216] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it integrates not only trademark registrations but also trademark registration applications. Below, only the differences from the first embodiment will be explained, and explanations of overlapping parts will be omitted.

[0217] First, the data structure of the storage device 42 will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the data structure of the product information table 420. As shown in FIG.

[0218] The storage device 42 stores a product information table 420 as shown in Fig. 14. The product information table 420 can be created based on, for example, the trademark gazette issued by the Patent Office.

[0219] 14, one or more records are registered in the product information table 420. Each record includes a field 421 for registering the application number of the trademark registration application (hereinafter, simply referred to as "application number"), a field 422 for registering the registration number, a field 423 for registering the trademark related to the trademark registration case, a field 424 for registering the name of the business operator of the trademark registration case, a field 425 for registering the address of the business operator of the trademark registration case, a field 426 for registering an identification number (e.g., applicant identification number) for identifying the business operator of the trademark registration case, a field 427 for registering the category to which the designated goods (services) related to the trademark registration case belong, and a field 428 for registering the designated goods (services) related to the trademark registration case.

[0220] In the example of FIG. 14, the records on the first to fifth lines are product information corresponding to trademark registration cases held by a business operator "A Co., Ltd.", and similarly, the records on the sixth to ninth lines are product information corresponding to trademark registration cases held by a business operator "B Co., Ltd." In addition, in the example of FIG. 14, the record on the first line has the application number "2021-9999981," the registration number "9,999,981," the trademark "A," the name "A Co., Ltd.", the address "Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture," the identification number "0001," the category "30," and the designated goods (services) "confectionery, bread, sandwich." This indicates that A Co., Ltd., located in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, holds a trademark registration case with application number "2021-9999981" and registration number "9,999,981", the trademark related to that trademark registration case is "A", the designated goods (services) related to that trademark registration case are "confectionery, bread, sandwiches", and the class to which the designated goods (services) related to that trademark registration case belongs is Class 30.

[0221] Next, the fee calculation process executed by the CPU 30 will be described. The CPU 30 starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 32, and executes a fee calculation process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15 in accordance with the program.

[0222] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the fee calculation process. The fee calculation process is executed in response to a request from a user, and when executed by the CPU 30, first the process proceeds to step S200 as shown in FIG.

[0223] In step S200, product information is acquired. The product information can be acquired, for example, in the following manner.

[0224] (9th acquisition method) FIG. 16 shows a screen for inputting the name and address of a business. The ninth acquisition method is a method in which product information is acquired by inputting the name and address of a business operator on the input screen of FIG. 16 and pressing the search button to search product information for the same trademark that corresponds to the input business operator name and address from product information table 420.

[0225] In the example of Fig. 16, "A Co., Ltd." is entered as the business name and "Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture" is entered as the address, so product information for the same trademark corresponding to that name and address is searched for in product information table 420. As a result, product information (information in fields 421 to 428) corresponding to the trademark registration case held by A Co., Ltd. for either trademark "A" or "B" is obtained.

[0226] (10th acquisition method) Figure 17 shows the trademark selection screen. The tenth acquisition method involves inputting the name and address of a business on the input screen in Fig. 16, searching for corresponding product information from product information table 420, and displaying a list of application numbers or registration numbers and trademarks based on the retrieved product information on the selection screen in Fig. 17. Then, by selecting a trademark using the checkbox displayed on the selection screen in Fig. 17 and pressing the confirm button, product information for the selected trademark is acquired.

[0227] In the example of Fig. 17, a list of application numbers or registration numbers of trademark registration cases held by Co. A and the associated trademarks "A" and "B" is displayed, with a check box displayed to the left of each application number or registration number. The user selects the same trademark by checking the check box using an input device 40 such as a mouse, and presses the confirm button with the same trademark selected. This allows product information about the selected trademark to be obtained.

[0228] (11th acquisition method) FIG. 18 shows a screen for inputting a business operator identification number. The eleventh acquisition method is a method in which product information is obtained by inputting the business identification number on the input screen of Figure 18 and pressing the search button, thereby searching product information for the same trademark corresponding to the input identification information from product information table 420.

[0229] In the example of FIG. 18, the identification number "0001" of Company A is entered, so product information about the same trademark corresponding to that identification number is searched for in the product information table 420.

[0230] (12th acquisition method) The twelfth acquisition method involves inputting the business identification number in the input screen of Fig. 18, searching for corresponding product information from product information table 420, and displaying a list of application numbers or registration numbers and trademarks based on the retrieved product information in the selection screen of Fig. 17. Then, by selecting the same trademark using the checkbox displayed in the selection screen of Fig. 17 and pressing the decision button, product information for the selected trademark is acquired.

[0231] (13th acquisition method) FIG. 19 is a screen for inputting an application number or registration number. The thirteenth acquisition method is a method in which product information is obtained by entering an application number or registration number on the input screen of Figure 19 and pressing the search button to search for product information corresponding to the entered application number or registration number from product information table 420.

[0232] 19, the user inputs "2021-9999983", "9,999,981", and "9,999,982" as application numbers or registration numbers related to the same trademark, and presses the search button. This causes the product information corresponding to these application numbers and registration numbers to be searched for in the product information table 420.

[0233] (14th acquisition method) The fourteenth acquisition method is a method in which product information is acquired by inputting a trademark into the input screen of FIG. 8 and pressing the search button, thereby searching product information for the same business operator that corresponds to the entered trademark from the product information table 420.

[0234] In the example of FIG. 8, since the trademark "A" has been entered, product information about "A Corporation," which is the same business entity as the trademark "A," is searched for from the product information table 420.

[0235] (15th acquisition method) FIG. 20 shows a screen for selecting a business operator. The fifteenth acquisition method is a method in which a trademark is input into the input screen of Fig. 8 and a search button is pressed to search for product information corresponding to the input trademark from product information table 420, and a list of businesses is displayed on the selection screen of Fig. 20 based on the retrieved product information. Then, a business is selected using the checkboxes displayed on the selection screen of Fig. 20 and the decision button is pressed to acquire product information for the input trademark and the selected business.

[0236] (16th acquisition method) The sixteenth acquisition method is a method of acquiring product information by directly inputting product information about the same trademark from the input device 40 without using the product information table 420.

[0237] Next, the process proceeds to step S202, where a first feature amount for the integration target cases is calculated based on the product information acquired in step S200, similarly to step S102, where (R) to (T) are replaced as follows:

[0238] (R) Number of applicants or rights holders related to the cases to be integrated If there are a large number of applicants or rights holders involved in the cases to be consolidated, the amount of work for the consolidated case will be greater due to the need for investigations and additional procedures, etc., and if there are a small number of applicants or rights holders, the amount of work tends to be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of applicants or rights holders involved in the cases to be consolidated.

[0239] Based on the acquired product information, the number of applicants or right holders related to the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first feature amount, and the information on the calculated first feature amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there are three applicants or right holders for trademark registration case A to be integrated and five applicants or right holders for trademark registration case B, the calculation is 3+5="8." For each trademark registration case or multiple trademark registration cases to be integrated, only applicants may be targeted, only right holders may be targeted, or both may be targeted.

[0240] (S) Whether or not there is a specific applicant or right holder in the cases to be integrated If there is a specific applicant or rights holder for the cases to be consolidated (for example, a business holding numerous trademark registration applications or trademark registrations), the amount of work for the consolidated cases may be greater due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if there is no specific applicant or rights holder, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate agency fees taking into account whether or not there is a specific applicant or rights holder for the cases to be consolidated.

[0241] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a specific applicant or right holder for the cases to be integrated is output as a first feature, and the information on the output first feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a specific applicant or right holder exists in the cases to be integrated, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output. For each trademark registration case or multiple trademark registration cases to be integrated, only the applicant may be targeted, only the right holder may be targeted, or both may be targeted.

[0242] (T) The number of specific applicants or rights holders in the cases to be consolidated If there are a large number of specific applicants or rights holders in the cases to be consolidated (for example, businesses holding numerous trademark registration applications or trademark registrations), the amount of work for the consolidated cases will be large due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if there are a small number of specific applicants or rights holders, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of specific applicants or rights holders in the cases to be consolidated.

[0243] Based on the acquired product information, the number of specific applicants or right holders for the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first feature amount, and the information on the calculated first feature amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if trademark registration case A to be integrated has three applicants or right holders, and trademark registration case B has five applicants or right holders, the calculation is 3+5="8." For each trademark registration case or multiple trademark registration cases to be integrated, only applicants may be targeted, only right holders may be targeted, or both may be targeted.

[0244] Next, the process proceeds to step S204, where a second feature amount for the integrated case is calculated based on the product information acquired in step S200, similarly to step S104, except that (r) to (t) are replaced as follows:

[0245] (r) Number of applicants in integrated cases Based on the acquired product information, the number of applicants related to the integrated case (including applicants in the case where the rights holders or applicants related to the cases to be integrated are the applicants of the integrated case, or applicants in the case where applicant information has been acquired separately; the same applies below in (s) and (t)) is calculated as a second feature, and the information on the calculated second feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there are six applicants related to the integrated case, the calculation is set to "6."

[0246] (s) Whether there is a specific applicant in the consolidated case Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a specific applicant for the integrated case is output as a second feature, and the output information on the second feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a specific applicant is present in the integrated case, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output.

[0247] (t) Number of specific applicants in consolidated cases Based on the acquired product information, the number of specific applicants for the integrated case is calculated as a second characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated second characteristic amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there are six applicants among the applicants related to the integrated case, the calculation is set to "6."

[0248] Then, the process proceeds to step S206, where, similar to step S106, the agency fee is calculated based on the first and second features obtained in steps S202 and S204, and the process proceeds to step S208, where the calculated agency fee is displayed on the display device 44, thereby completing the process.

[0249] In this embodiment, steps S202 and S204 correspond to the feature amount acquiring means of the first, second or fifth aspect of the invention, and step S206 corresponds to the fee calculating means of the first or second aspect of the invention.

[0250] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figures 21 and 22 are diagrams showing this embodiment. Figure 2 is also used for the other aspects.

[0251] (Definition of terms) In the following explanation, the goods (services) you wish to add to the contents of one or more trademark registration cases will be referred to as "additional goods (services)", the class to which the added goods (services) belong will be referred to as "additional class", and product information on the added goods (services) will be referred to as "additional product information". In addition, one or more trademark registration cases that are the subject of integration will be referred to as "cases to be integrated", and a trademark registration application that integrates the designated goods (services) and additional goods (services) related to the cases to be integrated will be referred to as an "integrated case".

[0252] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the integrated case includes not only the designated goods (services) related to the integrated cases, but also additional goods (services) or additional categories. Hereinafter, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the overlapping parts will be omitted.

[0253] First, the fee calculation process executed by the CPU 30 will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the fee calculation process.

[0254] The CPU 30 starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 32, and executes a fee calculation process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21 in accordance with the program.

[0255] The fee calculation process is executed in response to a request from a user, and when executed by the CPU 30, first the process proceeds to step S300 as shown in FIG.

[0256] In step S300, product information is acquired. As a method for acquiring product information, for example, the first to eighth acquisition methods in the first embodiment can be adopted.

[0257] Next, the process proceeds to step S302 to acquire additional product information. The operation for acquiring additional categories as product information will be described below.

[0258] FIG. 22 shows the screen for inputting additional categories. By inputting an additional category on the input screen of FIG. 22 and pressing the confirm button, the input category is acquired as additional product information.

[0259] As a method for acquiring additional product information, for example, the first to eighth acquisition methods in the above-mentioned first embodiment can be adopted. That is, the first to seventh acquisition methods can be used to acquire product information corresponding to trademark registrations held by the company or other companies as additional product information from the product information table 400. Also, the eighth acquisition method can be used to acquire additional product information related to any product (service).

[0260] Next, the process proceeds to step S304, where, similar to step S102, a first characteristic value for the case to be integrated is obtained based on the product information obtained in step S300, and the process proceeds to step S306, where, similar to step S104, a second characteristic value for the integrated case is obtained based on the product information and additional product information obtained in steps S300 and S302.

[0261] Then, the process proceeds to step S308, where, similar to step S106, the agency fee is calculated based on the first and second features obtained in steps S304 and S306, and the process proceeds to step S310, where the calculated agency fee is displayed on the display device 44, thereby completing the process.

[0262] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, a first characteristic value related to the case to be integrated and a second characteristic value related to the integrated case are obtained based on product information related to the designated product (service) related to the case to be integrated and additional product information related to the additional product (service), and the agency fee is calculated based on the obtained first characteristic value and second characteristic value.

[0263] This makes it possible to reflect the contents of the projects to be integrated and the addition of new products (services) or categories, compared to the past.

[0264] In this embodiment, steps S304 and S306 correspond to the feature amount acquiring means of the first, third or fifth aspect of the invention, and step S308 corresponds to the fee calculating means of the first or third aspect of the invention.

[0265] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 23 is a diagram showing this embodiment. Fig. 14 is also used.

[0266] This embodiment differs from the third embodiment in that it integrates not only trademark registrations but also trademark registration applications. Below, only the differences from the second and third embodiments will be explained, and explanations of overlapping parts will be omitted.

[0267] First, the fee calculation process executed by the CPU 30 will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the fee calculation process.

[0268] The CPU 30 starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of ​​the ROM 32, and executes a fee calculation process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 23 in accordance with the program.

[0269] The fee calculation process is executed in response to a request from a user, and when executed by CPU 30, first the process proceeds to step S400 as shown in FIG.

[0270] In step S400, product information is acquired. As a method for acquiring product information, for example, any of the ninth to sixteenth acquisition methods in the second embodiment can be adopted.

[0271] Next, the process proceeds to step S402 to acquire additional product information. As a method for acquiring additional product information, for example, the acquisition method exemplified in step S302 in the third embodiment can be adopted. In addition, for example, the ninth to sixteenth acquisition methods in the second embodiment can be adopted. That is, by the ninth to fifteenth acquisition methods, product information corresponding to a trademark registration case held by the company or another company can be acquired as additional product information from the product information table 420 in FIG. 14. Also, by the sixteenth acquisition method, additional product information related to any product (service) can be acquired.

[0272] Next, the process proceeds to step S404, where, similar to step S202, a first characteristic value for the case to be integrated is obtained based on the product information obtained in step S400, and the process proceeds to step S406, where, similar to step S204, a second characteristic value for the integrated case is obtained based on the product information and additional product information obtained in steps S400 and S402.

[0273] Then, the process proceeds to step S408, where, similar to step S206, the agency fee is calculated based on the first and second features obtained in steps S404 and S406, and the process proceeds to step S410, where the calculated agency fee is displayed on the display device 44, thereby completing the process.

[0274] In this embodiment, steps S404 and S406 correspond to the feature amount acquiring means of the first, third or fifth aspect of the invention, and step S408 corresponds to the fee calculating means of the first or third aspect of the invention.

[0275] [Modifications] In the above first to fourth embodiments, the first feature amount and the second feature amount are obtained, and the agency fee is calculated based on the obtained first feature amount and second feature amount. However, this is not limited to the above, and one of the first feature amount and the second feature amount can be obtained, and the agency fee can be calculated based on the one of the obtained feature amounts.

[0276] In the third and fourth embodiments and their modifications, the first feature amount is calculated based on the product information, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first feature amount can be calculated based on the product information and the additional product information. In this case, the second feature amount can be calculated based on the product information, or the second feature amount can be calculated based on the product information and the additional product information.

[0277] In the above first to fourth embodiments and their modifications, the first feature amount and the second feature amount are obtained based on product information on the designated goods (services) related to the integration target cases, but the first feature amount and the second feature amount can be obtained based on any information related to the integration target cases. Information related to the integration target cases includes, in addition to product information, information for identifying the trademark registration case (for example, name, number, ID, code, link information such as URL), applicant information related to the applicant related to the trademark registration case, right holder information related to the right holder related to the trademark registration case, and agent information related to the agent related to the trademark registration case.

[0278] In the above first to fourth embodiments and their modifications, the methods (A) to (T) are given as examples of methods for obtaining the first feature amount, but the present invention is not limited to these and any method can be adopted. For example, the following method can be adopted.

[0279] (A1) Number of similar group codes of designated goods (services) related to the integrated cases If the number of similar group codes of the designated goods (services) related to the cases to be integrated is large, the amount of work for the integrated case will be large due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if the number of similar group codes is small, the amount of work tends to be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be integrated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of similar group codes of the designated goods (services) related to the cases to be integrated.

[0280] Fields for registering similar group codes of the designated goods (services) in fields 407 and 428 are added to the product information tables 400 and 420, and product information including similar group codes is acquired from the product information tables 400 and 420. The same applies to the following (B1) to (I1) (O1) (b1) to (i1) and (o1).

[0281] Then, based on the acquired product information, the number of similar group codes of the designated products (services) related to the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first feature amount, and the information of the calculated first feature amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if trademark registration case A to be integrated has three similar group codes and trademark registration case B has five similar group codes, the calculation is 3+5="8".

[0282] (B1) Whether there are specific similar group codes for the items to be integrated If the cases to be integrated contain specific similar group codes (e.g., 35K01-35K99), the amount of work for the integrated cases may increase due to investigations and additional procedures, and if there are no specific similar group codes, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be integrated, it may be possible to calculate agency fees taking into account the presence or absence of specific similar group codes for the cases to be integrated.

[0283] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a specific similar group code for the cases to be integrated is output as a first feature, and the information on the output first feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a specific similar group code is present in the cases to be integrated, a "1" is output, and if it is not present, a "0" is output. The specific similar group code is not limited to the above example, and can be defined arbitrarily. The same applies below.

[0284] (C1) Number of specific similar group codes for the items to be integrated If the number of specific similar group codes (e.g., 35K01-35K99) in the cases to be integrated is large, the amount of work for the integrated cases will be large due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if the number of specific similar group codes is small, the amount of work will be small. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be integrated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of specific similar group codes for the cases to be integrated.

[0285] Based on the acquired product information, the number of specific similar group codes for the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first feature amount, and the information on the calculated first feature amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if trademark registration case A to be integrated has three similar group codes and trademark registration case B has five similar group codes, the calculation is 3+5="8".

[0286] (D1) Number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the items to be integrated If the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the cases to be integrated is large, the amount of work for the integrated case will be large due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if the number of similar group codes is small, the amount of work will tend to be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be integrated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the cases to be integrated.

[0287] Based on the acquired product information, the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the integration target cases is calculated as a first feature amount, and the information on the calculated first feature amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if there are five similar group codes in one or more categories related to the integration target cases, the calculation is set to "5."

[0288] (E1) Whether the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the items to be integrated exceeds the prescribed number If the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the cases to be integrated exceeds a specified number (for example, 22), the workload of the integrated case will increase due to additional procedures, etc., and if the number of similar group codes does not exceed the specified number, the workload tends to be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be integrated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the cases to be integrated exceeds a specified number.

[0289] Based on the acquired product information, whether or not the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the cases to be integrated exceeds a predetermined number is output as a first feature, and the information on the output first feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the cases to be integrated exceeds a predetermined number, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output.

[0290] (F1) Whether or not there are similar group codes that meet the specified conditions for the items to be integrated If the cases to be integrated contain similar group codes (e.g., 35K01-35K99) that satisfy specified conditions, the workload of the integrated cases may increase due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., whereas if there are no similar group codes that satisfy the specified conditions, the workload may decrease. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be integrated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not the cases to be integrated contain similar group codes that satisfy specified conditions.

[0291] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a similar group code that satisfies a predetermined condition for the integration target case is output as a first feature, and the information of the output first feature is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if a similar group code that satisfies the predetermined condition exists in the integration target case, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output.

[0292] (G1) Number of similar group codes that meet the specified conditions for the items to be integrated If the number of similar group codes (e.g., 35K01-35K99) that satisfy the specified conditions is large in the cases to be integrated, the amount of work for the integrated cases will be large due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if the number of similar group codes that satisfy the specified conditions is small, the amount of work will be small. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be integrated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of similar group codes that satisfy the specified conditions for the cases to be integrated.

[0293] Based on the acquired product information, the number of similar group codes that satisfy a predetermined condition for the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first feature amount, and the information on the calculated first feature amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if trademark registration case A to be integrated has three similar group codes and trademark registration case B has five similar group codes, the calculation is 3+5="8".

[0294] (H1) Are there any similar group codes that do not meet the specified conditions for the items to be integrated? If the cases to be integrated do not contain similar group codes that do not satisfy the specified conditions (for example, similar group codes other than 35K01 to 35K99), the amount of work for the integrated cases will increase due to investigations and additional procedures, and if there are similar group codes that do not satisfy the specified conditions, the amount of work may decrease. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be integrated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the presence or absence of similar group codes that do not satisfy the specified conditions for the cases to be integrated.

[0295] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a similar group code that does not satisfy a predetermined condition for the integration target case is output as a first feature, and the information of the output first feature is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if a similar group code that does not satisfy a predetermined condition exists in the integration target case, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output.

[0296] (I1) Number of similar group codes that do not meet the specified conditions for the items to be integrated If the number of similar group codes that do not satisfy the specified conditions in the cases to be integrated (for example, similar group codes other than 35K01 to 35K99) is small, the amount of work for the integrated cases will be large due to investigations and additional procedures, etc., and if the number of similar group codes that do not satisfy the specified conditions is large, the amount of work may be small. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be integrated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of similar group codes that do not satisfy the specified conditions in the cases to be integrated.

[0297] Based on the acquired product information, the number of similar group codes that do not satisfy a predetermined condition for the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first feature amount, and the information on the calculated first feature amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if trademark registration case A to be integrated has three similar group codes and trademark registration case B has five similar group codes, the calculation is 3+5="8".

[0298] (J1) Number of attorneys involved in the merged cases If there are a large number of agents involved in the cases to be consolidated, the amount of work for the cases to be consolidated will be large due to the need for investigation, etc. (for example, taking into account the rules for specifying the products (services) and the rules for notation for each agent), and if there are a small number of agents, the amount of work tends to be smaller. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of agents involved in the cases to be consolidated.

[0299] A field for registering an agent for a trademark registration case is added to the product information tables 400 and 420, and product information including the agent is acquired from the product information tables 400 and 420. The same applies to (K1), (L1), (k1), and (l1) below.

[0300] Then, based on the acquired product information, the number of agents related to the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated first characteristic amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if there are three agents for trademark registration case A to be integrated and five agents for trademark registration case B, the calculation is 3+5=8.

[0301] (K1) Whether there is a specific representative for the merged matter If there is a specific agent for the cases to be consolidated (for example, an agent who represents the procedures for multiple businesses or an agent who represents the procedures for businesses that hold multiple trademark registrations), the amount of work for the consolidated cases will be greater due to the need for investigations, etc., and if there is no specific agent, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether or not there is a specific agent for the cases to be consolidated.

[0302] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a specific agent for the cases to be integrated is output as a first characteristic, and the information of the output first characteristic is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a specific agent exists in the cases to be integrated, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output. The specific agent can be defined arbitrarily. The same applies below.

[0303] (L1) Number of specific representatives for the cases to be integrated If there are a large number of designated agents in the cases to be consolidated (for example, agents who represent the procedures of many businesses or agents who represent the procedures of businesses that hold many trademark registrations), the amount of work for the consolidated cases will be large due to investigations, etc., and conversely, if there are a small number of designated agents, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of designated agents in the cases to be consolidated.

[0304] Based on the acquired product information, the number of specific agents for the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated first characteristic amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if there are three agents applicable to trademark registration case A to be integrated and there are five agents applicable to trademark registration case B, the calculation is 3+5="8."

[0305] (M1) Whether or not there are any specific procedures or dispositions regarding the cases to be integrated If the cases to be consolidated have specific procedures (e.g., submission of a certificate of intent to use) or dispositions (e.g., a notice of rejection), the amount of work for the consolidated cases will increase due to investigations and additional procedures, etc., and if there are no specific procedures or dispositions, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the representation fees taking into account whether or not there are specific procedures or dispositions for the cases to be consolidated.

[0306] A field for registering information regarding a specific procedure or disposition for a trademark registration case is added to the product information tables 400 and 420, and product information including information regarding the specific procedure or disposition is acquired from the product information tables 400 and 420. The same applies to (m1) below.

[0307] Then, based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a specific procedure or disposition for the cases to be integrated is output as a first feature, and the information on the output first feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a specific procedure or disposition has been performed for the cases to be integrated, a "1" is output, and if not, a "0" is output. The specific procedure or disposition is not limited to the above example, and can be defined arbitrarily. The same applies to (m1) below.

[0308] (N1) Number of characters in documents related to the projects to be integrated If the documents related to the cases to be consolidated (e.g., application forms) have a large number of characters, the amount of work for the consolidated cases will be greater due to document preparation, etc., and if the documents have a small number of characters, the amount of work will tend to be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the cases to be consolidated, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of characters in the documents related to the cases to be consolidated.

[0309] A field for registering information on documents related to a trademark registration case is added to the product information tables 400 and 420, and product information including document information is acquired from the product information tables 400 and 420. The same applies to (n1) below.

[0310] Then, based on the acquired product information, the number of characters in the document related to the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first feature, and the information on the calculated first feature is stored in RAM 34. It may be the number of characters in the entire document, or the number of characters in some items of the document. For example, if the designated products (services) related to the cases to be integrated have a total of 500 characters, it is calculated as "500." The document or the target area within the document (the area for which the number of characters is calculated) can be defined arbitrarily. The same applies to (n1) below.

[0311] (O1)(A)~(T)(A1)~(N1) Statistics on other projects subject to integration The statistics of information relating to (A)~(T)(A1)~(N1) and other cases to be integrated are statistical representations of information relating to (A)~(T)(A1)~(N1) and other cases to be integrated and can be treated in the same way as (A)~(T)(A1)~(N1). Therefore, it is conceivable to calculate the agency fees taking into account the statistics of information relating to (A)~(T)(A1)~(N1) and other cases to be integrated.

[0312] A field for registering statistics of information related to trademark registration cases is added to the product information tables 400 and 420, and product information including the statistics is acquired from the product information tables 400 and 420. Here, the statistics include, for example, the number of occurrences, the occurrence rate, the rank, the difference, the variance, the standard error, the standard deviation, the deviation value, the average value, the median value, the mode value, the kurtosis, the skewness, the minimum value, the maximum value, and other statistics. The same applies to (o1) below.

[0313] Then, based on the acquired product information, a statistical amount of information on the cases to be integrated is calculated as a first characteristic amount, and the calculated information on the first characteristic amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if the average value of the number of designated products (services) related to the cases to be integrated is "30", the first characteristic amount is calculated as "30". The information for which the statistical amount is calculated can be defined arbitrarily. The same applies to (o1) below.

[0314] In the above first to fourth embodiments and their modifications, the methods (a) to (t) are given as examples of methods for obtaining the second feature amount, but the present invention is not limited to these and any method can be adopted. For example, the following method can be adopted.

[0315] (a1) Number of similar group codes of designated goods (services) related to the integrated case If the number of similar group codes of the designated goods (services) related to the integrated case is large, the amount of work for the integrated case will be large due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if the number of similar group codes is small, the amount of work tends to be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of similar group codes of the designated goods (services) related to the integrated case.

[0316] Based on the acquired product information, the number of similar group codes of the designated products (services) related to the integrated case is calculated as a second feature amount, and the information of the calculated second feature amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there are six similar group codes of the designated products (services) related to the integrated case, the second feature amount is calculated as "6." Note that since the second feature amount can be calculated based on the acquired product information, it is not necessary to generate document information of the integrated case. The same applies to (b1) to (o1) below.

[0317] (b1) Whether there is a specific similar group code for the integrated project If an integrated case contains a specific similar group code (e.g., 35K01-35K99), the amount of work for the integrated case may be greater due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., whereas if there is no specific similar group code, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the presence or absence of specific similar group codes for the integrated case.

[0318] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a specific similar group code for the integrated case is output as a second feature, and the output information of the second feature is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if a specific similar group code is present in the integrated case, "1" is output, and if it is not present, "0" is output.

[0319] (c1) Number of specific similar group codes for the integrated project If the number of specific similar group codes (e.g., 35K01-35K99) in an integrated case is large, the amount of work for the integrated case will be large due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., whereas if the number of specific similar group codes is small, the amount of work will be small. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of specific similar group codes for the integrated case.

[0320] Based on the acquired product information, the number of specific similar group codes for the integrated case is calculated as a second feature, and the information on the calculated second feature is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if there are six similar group codes among the designated products (services) related to the integrated case, the calculation is set to "6."

[0321] (d1) Number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the integrated project If the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the integrated case is large, the workload of the integrated case will be large due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if the number of similar group codes is small, the workload will tend to be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the integrated case.

[0322] Based on the acquired product information, the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the integrated case is calculated as a first feature amount, and the information on the calculated first feature amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if there are five similar group codes in one or more categories related to the integrated case, the calculation is set to "5."

[0323] (e1) Whether the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the integrated project exceeds the prescribed number If the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the integrated case exceeds a specified number (e.g., 22), the workload of the integrated case will increase due to additional procedures, etc., and if the number of similar group codes does not exceed the specified number, the workload will tend to be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account whether the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the integrated case exceeds a specified number.

[0324] Based on the acquired product information, whether or not the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the integrated case exceeds a predetermined number is output as a first feature, and the information on the output first feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if the number of similar group codes in one or more categories related to the integrated case exceeds a predetermined number, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output.

[0325] (f1) Whether or not there is a similar group code that satisfies the specified conditions for the integrated project If there are similar group codes (e.g., 35K01-35K99) that satisfy the specified conditions in an integrated case, the workload of the integrated case may increase due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., whereas if there are no similar group codes that satisfy the specified conditions, the workload may decrease. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees by taking into account whether or not there are similar group codes that satisfy the specified conditions in the integrated case.

[0326] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a similar group code that satisfies a predetermined condition for the integrated case is output as a second feature, and the information on the output second feature is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if a similar group code that satisfies the predetermined condition exists in the integrated case, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output.

[0327] (g1) Number of similar group codes that meet the specified conditions for the integrated project If there are a large number of similar group codes (e.g., 35K01-35K99) that satisfy the specified conditions in an integrated case, the amount of work for the integrated case will be large due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., and if there are a small number of similar group codes that satisfy the specified conditions, the amount of work will be small. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of similar group codes that satisfy the specified conditions for the integrated case.

[0328] Based on the acquired product information, the number of similar group codes that satisfy a predetermined condition for the integrated case is calculated as a second feature amount, and the information on the calculated second feature amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if there are six similar group codes among the designated products (services) related to the integrated case, the second feature amount is calculated as "6".

[0329] (h1) Whether there are similar group codes that do not meet the prescribed conditions for the integrated project If there are no similar group codes in an integrated case that do not satisfy the specified conditions (for example, similar group codes other than 35K01-35K99), the workload of the integrated case will increase due to investigations and additional procedures, and if there are similar group codes that do not satisfy the specified conditions, the workload may decrease. Therefore, in order to reflect the contents of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees by taking into account the presence or absence of similar group codes in the integrated case that do not satisfy the specified conditions.

[0330] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a similar group code that does not satisfy a predetermined condition for the integrated case is output as a second feature, and the output information of the second feature is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if a similar group code that does not satisfy the predetermined condition exists in the integrated case, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output.

[0331] (i1) Number of similar group codes that do not meet the prescribed conditions for the integrated projects If the number of similar group codes that do not satisfy the specified conditions in an integrated case (for example, similar group codes other than 35K01 to 35K99) is small, the workload of the integrated case may be large due to investigations, additional procedures, etc., whereas if the number of similar group codes that do not satisfy the specified conditions is large, the workload may be small. Therefore, in order to reflect the contents of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of similar group codes that do not satisfy the specified conditions in the integrated case.

[0332] Based on the acquired product information, the number of similar group codes that do not satisfy a predetermined condition for the integrated case is calculated as a second feature amount, and the information on the calculated second feature amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if there are six similar group codes among the designated products (services) related to the integrated case, the second feature amount is calculated as "6."

[0333] (j1) Number of rights holders or agents involved in the consolidated case If there are a large number of rights holders or agents involved in the integrated case, the amount of work for the integrated case will be large due to the need for research, etc. (for example, taking into account the rules for designating products (services) and the rules for notation for each agent), and if there are a small number of rights holders or agents, the amount of work tends to be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of rights holders or agents involved in the integrated case.

[0334] Based on the acquired product information, the number of right holders or agents related to the integrated case is calculated as a second characteristic amount, and the calculated second characteristic amount information is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there are six right holders or agents related to the integrated case, the calculation is made as "6." Only right holders, only agents, or both may be targeted.

[0335] (k1) Whether there is a specific right holder or agent in the integration project If there is a specific rights holder (for example, a business that holds multiple trademark registrations) or agent (for example, an agent acting on behalf of a business that holds multiple trademark registrations) in the consolidated case, the amount of work for the consolidated case will be greater due to the need for investigations, etc., and if there is no specific rights holder or agent, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the consolidated case, it may be possible to calculate the agent's fees taking into account whether or not there is a specific rights holder or agent in the consolidated case.

[0336] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a specific right holder or agent for the integrated case is output as a second feature, and the output information of the second feature is stored in RAM 34. For example, if a specific right holder or agent is present in the integrated case, "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output. Only right holders, only agents, or both may be targeted.

[0337] (l1) The number of specific rights holders or agents in the consolidated case If there are a large number of specific right holders (e.g., businesses that hold numerous trademark registrations) or agents (e.g., agents representing businesses that hold numerous trademark registrations) in a consolidated case, the amount of work required for investigations, etc. will be large for the consolidated case, and if there are a small number of specific right holders or agents, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the consolidated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of specific right holders or agents in the consolidated case.

[0338] Based on the acquired product information, the number of specific right holders or agents for the integrated case is calculated as a second feature amount, and the calculated second feature amount information is stored in RAM 34. For example, if there are six right holders or agents among the right holders or agents related to the integrated case, the calculation is set to "6." Only right holders may be targeted, only agents may be targeted, or both may be targeted.

[0339] (m1) Whether there are any specific procedures or dispositions regarding the integration case If a specific procedure (e.g., submission of a certificate of intent to use) or disposition (e.g., a notice of rejection) is involved in the consolidated case, the amount of work for the consolidated case may increase due to investigations and additional procedures, etc., whereas if there is no specific procedure or disposition, the amount of work may be less. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the consolidated case, it may be possible to calculate the representation fees taking into account whether or not there is a specific procedure or disposition for the consolidated case.

[0340] Based on the acquired product information, the presence or absence of a specific procedure or disposition for the integrated case is output as a first characteristic amount, and the information on the output first characteristic amount is stored in the RAM 34. For example, if a specific procedure or disposition is to be performed for the integrated case (including both planned and actual), "1" is output, and if not, "0" is output.

[0341] (n1) Number of characters in documents related to the integration project If the number of characters in the documents related to the integrated case is large, the amount of work for the integrated case will be large due to document preparation, etc., and if the number of characters in the documents is small, the amount of work will tend to be small. Therefore, in order to reflect the content of the integrated case, it may be possible to calculate the agency fees taking into account the number of characters in the documents related to the integrated case.

[0342] Based on the acquired product information, the number of characters in the document related to the integrated case is calculated as a first characteristic amount, and the information on the calculated first characteristic amount is stored in RAM 34. It may be the number of characters in the entire document, or the number of characters in some items of the document. For example, if the designated products (services) related to the integrated case are 500 characters in total, it is calculated as "500."

[0343] (o1)(a)~(t)(a1)~(n1) Statistics on information on other integration projects The statistics of information relating to (a)~(t)(a1)~(n1) and other integrated cases are statistical representations of information relating to (a)~(t)(a1)~(n1) and other integrated cases and can be treated in the same way as (a)~(t)(a1)~(n1), so it is conceivable to calculate the agency fees taking into account the statistics of information relating to (a)~(t)(a1)~(n1) and other integrated cases.

[0344] Based on the acquired product information, a statistical amount of information regarding the integrated cases is calculated as a first characteristic amount, and the calculated information of the first characteristic amount is stored in RAM 34. For example, if the average value of the number of designated products (services) related to the integrated cases is "30", it is calculated as "30".

[0345] In addition, in the above first to fourth embodiments and their modifications, the combinations of the first feature amount and the second feature amount are illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to these, and any combination may be adopted. For example, the following combinations may be adopted.

[0346] Combinations of the first and second features may be, for example, (A1) and (a1), (B1) and (b1), (C1) and (c1), (D1) and (d1), (E1) and (e1), (F1) and (f1), (G1) and (g1), (H1) and (h1), (I1) and (i1), (J1) and (j1), (K1) and (k1), (L1) and (l1), (M1) and (m1), (N1) and (n1), (O1) and (o1), or any of (A) to (T) (A1) to (O1) and any of (a) to (t) (a1) to (o1) (excluding the above combinations). It is also possible to adopt a combination of one first feature and multiple second feature amounts, a combination of multiple first feature amounts and one second feature amount, or a combination of multiple first feature amounts and multiple second feature amounts.

[0347] In the above first and second embodiments and their modifications, the agency fees are calculated assuming that the designated goods (services) of the integrated cases are integrated into a trademark registration application, but the calculation is not limited to this, and can be calculated assuming that the designated goods (services) are converted into goods (services) by using a conversion table and then integrated into a trademark registration application. The number of categories differs between the former and latter, and the agency fees may differ. The conversion table can be constructed, for example, by associating a product (service) related to the designated product (service) related to the trademark registration (referred to in this paragraph as the "first product (service)") with a second product (service), and is stored in memory device 42. Here, the first product (service) can be, for example, (1) a product (service) of a higher concept that encompasses the second product (service), (2) a product (service) of a lower concept that is encompassed by the second product (service), (3) a product (service) that corresponds to the second product (service) and meets specified standards, or (4) a product (service) that replaces the second product (service) under a rewrite system, etc. (the product or service before or after rewrite).

[0348] In the third and fourth embodiments and their modifications, the agency fees are calculated on the assumption that the designated goods (services) and additional goods (services) related to the integrated case are integrated in a trademark registration application, but the calculation is not limited to this, and may be calculated on the assumption that (1) a trademark registration application is filed in which the designated goods (services) and the additional goods (services) converted using the conversion table are integrated, (2) a trademark registration application is filed in which the designated goods (services) and the additional goods (services) converted using the conversion table are integrated, or (3) a trademark registration application is filed in which the goods (services) and the designated goods (services) converted using the conversion table are integrated. The number of categories may differ between the former and the latter (1) to (3), and the agency fees may differ.

[0349] In the above first and third embodiments and their modifications, the target is trademark registration of the same trademark owned by the same right holder, but the target can be trademark registration of the same trademark owned by related right holders. Related right holders include, for example, right holders with capital relations, right holders with control relations, right holders in a competitive relationship, and right holders with other related business entities. As a specific configuration, for example, a table that stores right holder A and related right holder B in association with right holder A is stored in storage device 42, right holder B corresponding to target right holder A is obtained from the table, and product information on the same trademark owned by target right holder A and right holder B is obtained.

[0350] In the second and fourth embodiments and their modifications, the target is a trademark registration case of the same trademark owned by the same business operator, but the target is not limited to this, and the target can be a trademark registration case of the same trademark owned by related business operators. Related business operators include, for example, business operators with capital ties, business operators with control ties, business operators in a competitive relationship, and business operators with other related business entities. As a specific configuration, for example, a table that stores business operator A and related business operator B in association with business operator A is stored in the storage device 42, business operator B corresponding to target business operator A is obtained from the table, and product information on the same trademark owned by target business operator A and business operator B is obtained.

[0351] In the above first to fourth embodiments and their modifications, trademark registration cases for the same trademark are subject to integration, but the present invention is not limited to this. (1) Trademarks that are substantially identical (including trademarks consisting of the same characters with a change in font, trademarks that mutually change the display of hiragana, katakana, and roman characters, trademarks consisting of figures that are considered to be the same in appearance, and other trademarks that are considered to be the same in social terms), (2) trademarks that include the same trademark as a part of their configuration, or (3) trademarks that include substantially identical trademarks as a part of their configuration may be subject to integration. Furthermore, trademark registration cases for similar trademarks or trademarks that include similar trademarks as a part of their configuration may be subject to integration. Note that if a defensive mark registration application or a defensive mark registration is included in the cases to be integrated, or if the integrated case is an application for defensive mark registration, the term will be a "mark" rather than a "trademark."

[0352] In the third and fourth embodiments and their modifications, the additional goods (services) are goods (services) belonging to one category, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be goods (services) belonging to two or more categories. In addition to a configuration in which the number of additional categories can be determined arbitrarily, a configuration in which the number is fixed (for example, the number of additional categories is only one) may be adopted.

[0353] Furthermore, in the above third and fourth embodiments and their variations, the additional goods (services) are goods (services) belonging to a category different from the trademark registration case held by the business operator, but this is not limited to the above, and some or all of the additional goods (services) may be goods (services) belonging to the same category as the trademark registration case held by the business operator.

[0354] In the above first and third embodiments and their modifications, only trademark registrations are targeted as trademark registration cases, while in the second and fourth embodiments and their modifications, trademark registration applications and trademark registrations are targeted as trademark registration cases, but the present invention is not limited to this. The trademark registration cases may be (1) only trademark registration applications, (2) only trademark registrations, (3) trademark registration applications and trademark registrations, (4) only defensive mark registration applications, (5) only defensive mark registrations, (6) defensive mark registration applications and defensive mark registrations, or (7) a combination of trademark registration applications or trademark registrations and defensive mark registration applications or defensive mark registrations. Regarding (7), it is assumed that a trademark registration may be changed to a defensive mark registration or a defensive mark registration may be changed to a trademark registration depending on the situation such as publicity.

[0355] In addition, in the above first to fourth embodiments and their variations, the agency fees have been calculated assuming the cases where applications are combined into one trademark registration application, but this is not limited to the above, and agency fees can be calculated assuming the cases where applications are combined into (1) multiple trademark registration applications, (2) multiple defensive mark registration applications, (3) multiple defensive mark registration applications, or (4) one or more trademark registration applications and one or more defensive mark registrations.

[0356] In addition, in the above first to fourth embodiments and their variations, the product information is obtained from a table, but this is not limited to the above, and the product information can be input from the input device 40 or obtained from an external storage medium (such as a USB memory) or a network.

[0357] Furthermore, in the above first to fourth embodiments and their variations, the product information has been configured as information regarding the product (service) or the group to which it belongs (for example, a category or similar group code), but the product information is not limited to this and can include, for example, information regarding the product only, information regarding the service only, information regarding the product (service), information regarding only the group to which the product belongs, information regarding the group to which the service belongs, information regarding the product and the group to which the product belongs, information regarding the group to which the product and services belong, information regarding the group to which the product and services belong, information regarding the service and the group to which the service belongs, information regarding the product and services and the group to which the product belongs, information regarding the product and services and the group to which the product belongs, information regarding the product and services and the group to which the service belongs, information regarding the product and services and the group to which the product and services belong, information regarding the product and services and the group to which the product and services belong, and information regarding the product and services and the group to which the product and services belong.

[0358] In the above first to fourth embodiments and their modifications, the agent fee is calculated, but this is not limiting, and an adjustment value for the agent fee can be calculated. The adjustment value includes, for example, values ​​for adjusting the unit price, quantity, amount, and other elements so that the agent fee is calculated in steps S106, S206, S308, and S408. The adjustment value also includes a discount amount for the agent fee.

[0359] As a modification of the first to fourth embodiments, a configuration may be adopted in which the agent fee or an adjustment value thereof is calculated by AI (Artificial Intelligence). For example, the following configuration may be adopted.

[0360] The first configuration acquires information about the cases to be integrated, and estimates the agency fee or its adjusted value from the acquired information about the cases using a trained model that has been trained based on information about multiple trademark registration cases and information about the agency fee or its adjusted value for an integrated case that integrates the multiple trademark registration cases.

[0361] FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the process of generating and using a trained model. As shown in Fig. 24, a training dataset is generated based on information on a plurality of trademark registration cases and information on the agency fee or its adjustment value for an integrated case that integrates the plurality of trademark registration cases, the generated training dataset is input to a training program, and a trained model is generated by the training program. The training program includes pre-training parameters and hyperparameters, and performs training based on the input training dataset and hyperparameters to update the pre-training parameters. Then, the trained model is output as the training result.

[0362] The trained model comprises trained parameters in which pre-trained parameters have been updated by training, and an inference program. The inference program inputs information on a number of cases, estimates the agency fee or its adjustment value from the input information on the cases based on the trained parameters, and outputs the estimated fee or its adjustment value. Note that the relationship between the input information on the cases and the agency fee or its adjustment value is determined by AI training, and therefore, although it shows a similar tendency to the information on past cases and the agency fee or its adjustment value, there is ambiguity in that it does not necessarily match exactly. However, this ambiguity can be reduced by the amount of training data and the training accuracy.

[0363] The method of generating and using the trained model is the same in the second to ninth configurations. The second configuration obtains product information regarding the designated goods (services) or their groups (e.g., classifications or similar group codes; the same applies to the third to ninth configurations below) related to the cases to be integrated, and estimates the agency fee or its adjusted value from the obtained product information using a trained model that has been trained based on product information regarding the designated goods (services) or their groups related to multiple trademark registration cases, and information on the agency fee or its adjusted value related to an integrated case that integrates the designated goods (services) related to the multiple trademark registration cases.

[0364] The third configuration acquires product information regarding the designated goods (services) or group thereof related to the cases to be integrated and product information regarding the additional goods (services) or group thereof, and estimates the agency fee or its adjusted value from the acquired product information using a trained model that has been trained based on product information regarding the designated goods (services) or group thereof related to one or more trademark registration cases, product information regarding the additional goods (services) or group thereof, and information on the agency fee or its adjusted value related to an integrated case that integrates the designated goods (services) and additional goods (services) related to the one or more trademark registration cases.

[0365] The fourth configuration acquires information about the cases to be integrated, and estimates the first feature or the second feature from the acquired information about the cases using a trained model that has been trained based on information about a plurality of trademark registration cases and information about first feature values ​​related to the plurality of trademark registration cases or information about second feature values ​​related to an integrated case that integrates the plurality of trademark registration cases.

[0366] The fifth configuration acquires product information on the designated goods (services) or a group thereof related to the case to be integrated, and estimates the first feature or the second feature from the acquired product information using a trained model trained based on product information on the designated goods (services) or a group thereof related to multiple trademark registration cases, and information on the first feature related to the multiple trademark registration cases or the second feature related to an integrated case that integrates the designated goods (services) related to the multiple trademark registration cases.

[0367] The sixth configuration acquires product information on the designated goods (services) or group thereof related to the case to be integrated and product information on the additional goods (services) or group thereof, and estimates the first feature or the second feature from the acquired product information using a trained model trained based on the product information on the designated goods (services) or group thereof related to one or more trademark registration cases, the product information on the additional goods (services) or group thereof, and the first feature information related to the one or more trademark registration cases, or the second feature information related to an integrated case that integrates the designated goods (services) and additional goods (services) related to the one or more trademark registration cases.

[0368] The seventh configuration acquires information about the cases to be integrated, and uses a trained model that has been trained based on information about multiple trademark registration cases and information about an integrated case that integrates the multiple trademark registration cases, to infer information about the integrated case from the acquired information about the cases.

[0369] The eighth configuration acquires product information regarding the designated goods (services) or a group thereof related to the case to be integrated, and estimates second product information from the acquired product information using a trained model trained based on product information regarding the designated goods (services) or a group thereof related to multiple trademark registration cases, and second product information regarding the designated goods (services) or a group thereof related to an integrated case that integrates the designated goods (services) related to the multiple trademark registration cases.

[0370] The ninth configuration acquires product information regarding the designated goods (services) or group thereof related to the case to be integrated and product information regarding additional goods (services) or group thereof, and estimates second product information from the acquired product information using a trained model trained based on the product information regarding the designated goods (services) or group thereof related to one or more trademark registration cases, the product information regarding the additional goods (services) or group thereof, and second product information regarding the designated goods (services) or group thereof related to an integrated case that integrates the designated goods (services) and additional goods (services) related to the one or more trademark registration cases.

[0371] Furthermore, the AI ​​configuration is not limited to the above, and a configuration using a large language model may be adopted. Specifically, for example, the following configuration may be adopted.

[0372] The trademark support device 100 is connected to a large-scale language model server having a large-scale language model via a network. The large-scale language model server is configured to have the same hardware configuration as the trademark support device 100. The large-scale language model is a deep learning model that pre-learns what is called a language model, which models human spoken words based on their occurrence probability, from a huge amount of data. When the large-scale language model server receives a request, it uses the large-scale language model to statistically estimate the generation probability of the next word from the sentence included in the received request, and transmits the estimation result to the request source. As the large-scale language model, for example, known technologies described in the Internet sites "https: / / chatgpt-lab.com / n / n418d3aa56f0b" and "https: / / agirobots.com / chatgpt-mechanism-and-problem / " can be adopted.

[0373] The following configuration can be applied to trademark support device 100. The first configuration includes a request input means for inputting a request including information on a case to be integrated and a request for generating information on an agent fee or an adjustment value thereof for an integrated case obtained by integrating the cases to be integrated, into the large-scale language model; The system further includes an acquisition means for acquiring information on the agent fee or an adjustment value thereof outputted from the large-scale language model in response to the request.

[0374] The second configuration includes a request input means for inputting a request including product information on the designated goods (services) or their groups (e.g., classifications or similar group codes; the same applies below to the third to ninth configurations) related to the cases to be integrated, and including a request to generate information on the agency fee or its adjustment value related to the integrated case in which the designated goods (services) related to the cases to be integrated are integrated, into the large-scale language model; The system further includes an acquisition means for acquiring information on the agent fee or an adjustment value thereof outputted from the large-scale language model in response to the request.

[0375] The third configuration includes a request input means for inputting a request including product information on the designated goods (services) or their groups related to the cases to be integrated and product information on the additional goods (services) or their groups, and including a request to generate information on the agency fee or its adjustment value related to an integrated case that integrates the designated goods (services) and the additional goods (services) related to the cases to be integrated, into the large-scale language model; The system further includes an acquisition means for acquiring information on the agent fee or an adjustment value thereof outputted from the large-scale language model in response to the request.

[0376] A fourth configuration includes a request input means for inputting a request including information on integration target cases and including a request for generating information on first feature amounts on the integration target cases or information on second feature amounts on an integrated case obtained by integrating the integration target cases, into the large-scale language model; The device further includes an acquisition means for acquiring the first feature amount or the second feature amount output from the large-scale language model in response to a request.

[0377] A fifth configuration includes a request input means for inputting a request including product information related to a designated product (service) or a group thereof related to an integration target case, and including a request for generating information on a first feature related to the integration target case or a second feature related to an integration case obtained by integrating the designated product (service) related to the integration target case, into the large-scale language model; The device further includes an acquisition means for acquiring the first feature amount or the second feature amount output from the large-scale language model in response to a request.

[0378] A sixth configuration includes a request input means for inputting a request including product information on a designated product (service) or a group thereof related to an integration target case and product information on an additional product (service) or a group thereof, and including a request for generating information on a first feature amount related to the integration target case or information on a second feature amount related to an integrated case that integrates the designated product (service) and the additional product (service) related to the integration target case, into the large-scale language model; The device further includes an acquisition means for acquiring the first feature amount or the second feature amount output from the large-scale language model in response to a request.

[0379] A seventh configuration is a request input means for inputting a request including information on integration target cases and a request for generating information on an integrated case obtained by integrating the integration target cases to the large-scale language model; The system further includes an acquisition means for acquiring information regarding an integrated case output from the large-scale language model in response to a request.

[0380] The eighth configuration includes a request input means for inputting a request including product information related to a designated product (service) or a group thereof related to an integration target case, and including a request for generating second product information related to a designated product (service) or a group thereof related to an integrated case obtained by integrating the designated products (services) related to the integration target cases, into the large-scale language model; The system further includes an acquisition means for acquiring second product information output from the large-scale language model in response to the request.

[0381] A ninth configuration includes a request input means for inputting a request including product information on a designated product (service) or a group thereof related to an integration target case and product information on an additional product (service) or a group thereof, and including a request for generating second product information on a designated product (service) or a group thereof related to an integrated case that integrates the designated product (service) related to the integration target case and the additional product (service) to the large-scale language model; The system further includes an acquisition means for acquiring second product information output from the large-scale language model in response to the request.

[0382] In the first to fourth embodiments and their modifications, an agent fee is calculated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any fee related to the integrated case may be calculated.

[0383] In addition, in the above first to fourth embodiments and their variations, the number of cases to be integrated or integrated cases, the number of designated goods (services), categories or similar group codes related to the cases to be integrated or integrated cases, etc. are defined as "features," but without being limited thereto, these can also be defined as "characteristic values" or "attribute values."

[0384] Furthermore, in the above first to fourth embodiments and their modifications, the trademark support device 100 is realized as a single device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be realized as a network system as shown in FIG.

[0385] FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network system. As shown in Fig. 25, a trademark support server 200 and a plurality of user terminals 300 are connected to a network 199 such as the Internet. The trademark support server 200 is configured to have the same functions as the trademark support device 100 in the first to fourth embodiments. The difference is that the trademark support server 200 receives information from the user terminal 300 instead of input by the input device 40, and transmits information to the user terminal 300 instead of displaying by the display device 44.

[0386] In addition, in the above first to fourth embodiments and their variations, when executing the processes shown in the flowcharts of Figures 3, 15, 21 and 23, a program pre-stored in ROM 32 is executed. However, this is not limited to the above, and the program showing these procedures may be read into RAM 34 from a storage medium on which the program is stored and executed.

[0387] Here, storage media refers to semiconductor storage media such as RAM and ROM, magnetic storage type storage media such as FD and HD, optically readable storage media such as CD, CDV, LD and DVD, and magnetic storage type / optically readable storage media such as MO, and includes any storage medium that can be read by a computer, regardless of the reading method (electronic, magnetic, optical, etc.).

[0388] Moreover, the above first to fourth embodiments and their modifications can be applied to each other. In the above first to fourth embodiments and their modifications, the present invention has been applied to cases such as integrating trademark registration cases, but is not limited thereto and can be applied to other cases without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, a first feature amount or a second feature amount may be obtained, and an evaluation of the cases to be integrated, an evaluation of the integrated case, or an evaluation of maintenance or integration may be performed based on the obtained first feature amount or second feature amount. [Explanation of symbols]

[0389] 100... trademark support device, 30... CPU, 32... ROM, 34... RAM, 38... I / F, 39... bus, 40... input device, 42... storage device, 44... display device, 199... network, 200... trademark support server, 300... user terminal, 400, 420... product information table

Claims

1. a feature acquisition means for acquiring a first feature value relating to a plurality of cases including an application for trademark registration, a trademark registration, an application for defensive mark registration, or a defensive mark registration for an identical, substantially identical, or similar trademark or mark, or a trademark or mark that includes the trademark or mark as a part of its configuration, based on information relating to the plurality of cases, or acquiring a second feature value relating to an integrated case that integrates the first feature value and the plurality of cases; A fee calculation system characterized by comprising a fee calculation means for calculating a fee or an adjustment value thereof for the integrated case based on the first feature or the first feature and the second feature obtained by the feature acquisition means.

2. a feature acquisition means for acquiring a first feature value relating to a plurality of cases including an application for trademark registration, a trademark registration, an application for defensive mark registration, or a defensive mark registration for an identical, substantially identical, or similar trademark or mark, or a trademark or mark including the trademark or mark as a part of its configuration, based on product information relating to goods or services designated in the plurality of cases, or a group to which the goods or services belong, or a second feature value relating to an integrated case that integrates the first feature value and the goods or services related to the plurality of cases, or a group to which the goods or services belong; A fee calculation system characterized by comprising a fee calculation means for calculating a fee or an adjustment value thereof for the integrated case based on the first feature or the first feature and the second feature obtained by the feature acquisition means.

3. a feature acquisition means for acquiring a first feature value for a plurality of cases including an application for trademark registration, an application for trademark registration, an application for defensive mark registration, or a defensive mark registration for an identical, substantially identical, or similar trademark or mark, or a trademark or mark that includes the trademark or mark as a part of its configuration, or a single case including an application for trademark registration, a trademark registration, an application for defensive mark registration, or a defensive mark registration, based on product information on a product or service designated in the plurality of cases or the single case, or a group to which the product or service belongs, and product information on an additional product or service, or a group to which the product or service belongs; A fee calculation system characterized by comprising a fee calculation means for calculating a fee or an adjustment value thereof for the integrated case based on the first feature or the first feature and the second feature obtained by the feature acquisition means.

4. In any one of claims 1 to 3, the first characteristic amount is the number of cases to be integrated, the number of products or services specified in the cases to be integrated, or the number of groups to which the products or services belong; A fee calculation system characterized in that the second characteristic is the number of integrated cases, the number of products or services specified in the integrated cases, or the number of groups to which the products or services belong.

5. 4. A fee calculation system comprising a fee calculation means for calculating a fee or an adjustment value thereof for an integrated case described in claim 1 based on a first feature described in any one of claims 1 to 3, or based on the first feature and a second feature described in claim 1.

6. A feature acquisition system comprising the feature acquisition means according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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