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The Japanese Design Law has stood at a tipping point ever since
the law was first enacted 130 years ago. On April 1, 2020,
revisions to the Japanese Design Law came into effect and the scope
of protection expanded to graphic interface images (GUIs), exterior
and interior designs of buildings. Furthermore, the revised law has
enhanced protection of design variations. Conventionally, the scope
of protection was limited to the shape, patterns or colors, or any
combination thereof, of an article (tangible object; movable
properties) in Japan. However, as disruptive technologies, such as