Services
Patents
- Filing
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We provide filing services aimed at securing strong patent rights.
Obtaining strong rights depends on sharing information about the invention with the client and reaching a common understanding of it. As a rule, we meet with the client for every case and draft the specification and other documents only after fully understanding the value of the invention.
- Prosecution
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We actively propose responses to notices of reasons for refusal and other office actions. We follow the status of each application after filing and, where necessary, meet with the client to secure rights of an appropriate scope.
- Litigation
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We have extensive experience in court proceedings and negotiations, acting as assistants in court (hosanin) for both plaintiffs and defendants, and provide litigation services that meet the needs of businesses.
- Patent Fee Deadline Management
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To maintain a patent, annual fees must be paid to the Japan Patent Office. We manage the payment deadlines on behalf of our clients.
Main Technical Fields
Mechanical
Electrical, Physics and Energy
Chemistry
Designs
A design is the appearance of an industrial product. Registering a design helps prevent others from imitating it.
- Filing
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We propose the filing approach best suited to each client’s needs. In addition to an ordinary design for a whole article, we propose combinations of partial designs and related designs.
We handle a wide range of designs, from large industrial products to everyday goods. We also act for overseas clients filing design applications with the Japan Patent Office.
- Registration Fee Deadline Management
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To maintain a design registration, annual registration fees must be paid to the Japan Patent Office. We manage the payment deadlines on behalf of our clients.
Types of Design Applications
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Whole Design
Protects the design of an entire article, such as a cup.
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Partial Design
Protects the design of a distinctive part, such as the handle of a cup.
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Related Designs
Protects each of several similar variations of a design, such as cups with different handles.
Trademarks
- Filing and Trademark Searches
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For each mark a client wishes to register, one of our patent attorneys meets with the client to explore the possibility of registration together. As a rule, we conduct a trademark search to determine whether the mark can be registered.
Based on the search results, and taking the mark and the designated goods and services into account, we propose marks that have a chance of registration.
- Prosecution
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We actively propose responses to notices of reasons for refusal and other office actions.
- Litigation (Trademark Disputes)
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We handle trademark disputes, for example when another company is using your trademark, or when you have received a warning that a trademark you use infringes another company’s trademark.
- Renewal Management
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A trademark registration can be renewed and maintained by paying registration fees to the Japan Patent Office at regular intervals. We manage these payments on behalf of our clients.
Foreign Countries and Regions
- Filing
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We handle the procedures needed to obtain patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights abroad. This includes international (PCT) applications, which have been increasing in recent years: we handle filing, procedures in the international phase, and national phase entry in each country.
To respond quickly to changes such as amendments to patent laws in each country, we work closely with local agents and attend seminars to keep up with the latest information, so that we can provide high-quality services.
- Main Countries and Regions
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North America
European countries
Asian countries and regions