Another declaration driven by the Japanese government during coronavirus pandemic
Partnership

In the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we have been waiting eagerly for development of therapeutic drugs and vaccines. However, some people are afraid that patents become an obstacle to development of such therapeutic methods. So, there is a movement to pledge or declare not to enforce  patents and other intellectual property rights for solutions for coronavirus; […]

Japan to ensure a chance of correction for licensed patents
Correction of Patent

The Japanese government has begun consideration of amendment of the patent correction system. The patent correction system allows patent owners to correct patent claims, specification or drawings within certain limits, as a defense against the assertion of invalidity.  Under the current law, where there is a licensee, the patent owner cannot make corrections without the […]

Coronavirus contributes to Japan’s digitalization
COVID-19 Outbreak

Japan has entered the Golden Week holiday. It is usually the time for many people to enjoy vacations in the country or overseas. However, because of the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) this year, the government is requesting us to stay at home. Many people feel stressed about by the inability to freely spend precious […]

US IRS’s request may motivate Japanese government to increase value of Japanese patents
Tax payment

Reportedly, US authorities are pressing Japanese companies to pay taxes on profit from intellectual properties such as data and brand value gained in America.  US pushes Japan Inc. to pay taxes on IP profit from America When the idea of such market approach is advanced, patent may also likely become part of the discussion before […]

Can eCommerce platform provider require shops to offer free shipping?
Free shipping

Japanese eCommerce platform provider Rakuten announced in the summer of 2019 that free shipping will be offered for purchases over 3,980 JPY (about 36 USD). Rakuten is expecting to achieve this by asking the shops on their platform to bear the shipping costs.  Rakuten is explaining the intense competition with Amazon and others, and asking for […]

WAGYU genetic resources to be protected as intellectual property
Wagyu beef

Wagyu is the Japanese breeds of beef cattle that has been improved over the years by Japanese breeders. Now Japan is considering strengthening the protection of genetic resources, i.e. sperm and fertilized eggs, from livestock such as Wagyu. In fact, Wagyu genetic resources had been exported for commercial use until around 1998, but no exports […]

IPwe特許取引プラットフォームの日本語ユーザーインターフェースがリリースされました
IPwe platform

本日、IPwe特許取引プラットフォームの日本語ユーザーインターフェースがリリースされました。IPweプラットフォームは、AI(人工知能)とブロックチェーンを使った世界初の特許取引プラットフォームです(詳しくは、こちらをご覧ください)。 この度の日本語ユーザーインターフェースの提供により、IPwe特許取引プラットフォームが、日本のお客様にとって、より使いやすいものとなり、お客様が特許資産をより有効に活用し収益を向上させるのにお役に立てば幸いです。   当社は、IPwe特許取引プラットフォームの日本のお客様をサポートをしておりますので、お気軽にお問い合わせください。

Original MUJI loses to Chinese company in trademark infringement case in China
MUJI trademark

Japanese retail company Ryohin Keikaku, which sells a wide variety of household and consumer goods under the name of MUJI (Mujirushi Ryohin), lost a trademark infringement case in China. Reportedly, on December 11 2019, the Beijing Municipal High People’s Court ordered Ryohin Keikaku to pay CNY 600,000 (USD 85,336) in damages to a Chinese company.  […]

Satoshi Watanabe authored an article in Intellectual Property Magazine
Satoshi Watanabe authored an article titled "Patent changes create friction" for Intellectual Property Magazine

Satoshi Watanabe authored an article entitled “Patent changes create friction” in Intellectual Property Magazine. The article can be accessed here. 

Filing patent applications in Japan to obtain patents in India fast
PPH for India

On November 21 2019, Japan and India signed an agreement to start a Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program. The PPH is a cooperative program to facilitate an acquisition of a patent by utilizing search and examination results at other patent office. Japan is the world’s first country that corporates with India for such a […]