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Jan 14,2025
The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program between the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the National Institute of Industrial Property of France (INPI)
Taro USHIOThe PPH pilot program between the JPO and the INPI has been in operation since January 1, 2021. The JPO recently announced that the pilot program has been extended for five years from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2029. However, it could be further extended.
The JPO also provides helpful information to utilize the PPH based on a JPO or an INPI application.
Please refer to the following links for more details:
https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/system/patent/shinsa/soki/pph/guideline.html (in English)
https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/patent/shinsa/soki/pph/japan_france_highway.html (in Japanese)
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Dec 23,2024
JPO to Review Patent and Design Acts Amid Generative AI Expansion
Takuya FUJIThe Japan Patent Office (JPO) will review the Design Act and Patent Act in response to the rapid expansion of generative AI usage. It aims to establish a system that protects legitimate inventors, in cases where businesses or individuals, without plans to develop products, publicly release large numbers of design concepts using generative AI, potentially hindering new product development.
Currently, there are no rules governing mass-produced designs or inventions generated by AI. Concerns include the unauthorized use of existing products for AI training to create and disclose designs or formulas, such as car designs or pharmaceutical compounds, which could undermine the novelty required for patents and design rights.
The JPO has begun discussions on the issue above with an aim to revise the Patent Act and Design Act in 2026.
URL: https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUA050P20V01C24A1000000/ (Japanese only)
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Nov 25,2024
Ms. Mami Hino made a presentation titled “Report on Questionnaire Survey on Diversity in the JPAA” at “WIPO IPGAP Global Research Experts Meeting on Improving Gender and Diversity in IP and Innovation” hosted by WIPO.
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Sep 27,2024
Ms. Serina Matsuda participated as a speaker in LESI YMC webinar series, “Trade Secrets in the Asia Pacific Region”.
Awards
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Jan 9,2025
We were highly evaluated in The Legal 500 (2025)
In The Legal 500 Asia Pacific (2025), our firm was chosen as a top tier firm in the following categories, and the following attorneys and patent attorney were selected as “Leading partners”. Please check the website of Legal 500 for more details.Intellectual Property: Independent Local Firms: Tier 1
Leading partners: Bengoshi: Eiji Katayama Junichi Kitahara Makoto Hattori
Leading partners: Benrishi: Hiroshi Kobayashi Mami HinoRestructuring And Insolvency: Independent Local Firms: Tier 2
Leading partners: Bengoshi: Eiji Katayama
Practice head: Yasuhiko Ikubo Eiji Katayama
Other key lawyers: Hisashi Ito Kazuyuki Taguchi Hideto Sasaki Hirofumi Kato Rikita Karakawa Naotada YokotaDispute Resolution: Independent Local Firms: Tier 3
Practice head: Eiji Katayama Hiroshi Kobayashi
Other key lawyers: Junichi Kitahara Makoto Hattori Nodoka Nakamura Tomohiro Yoneyama Shoichiro Kajinami -
Sep 13,2024
We were highly evaluated in Asialaw 2024 Rankings
In Asialaw 2024 Rankings, our firm was highly ranked in the following categories, and the following attorneys and patent attorneys were selected as leading lawyers.Practice Area Rankings
Intellectual property：Outstanding
Pharmaceuticals and life sciences：Recommended
Dispute resolution：Highly recommended
Restructuring and insolvency：Highly recommendedIndustry Sector Rankings
Pharmaceuticals and life sciences：RecommendedPractitioners
Elite practitioner：Eiji Katayama
Distinguished practitioner： Makoto Hattori
Notable practitioner：Junichi Kitahara Mami Hino -
Aug 1,2024
We were highly evaluated in Who’s Who Legal: IP 2024
The following attorneys were selected as being among the highest-ranked Lawyers in Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders – IP 2024 (Law Business Research).IP – Patents Agents & Attorneys
Mami HinoIP – Patents
Eiji Katayama Junichi Kitahara -
Jul 4,2024
Mami Hino named a WIPR Leader 2024 (Japan)
Mami Hino was named a WIPR Leader 2024 as one of the leading IP practitioners in Japan, in the WIPR Leaders 2024 edition announced by Newton Media Ltd. -
Jul 2,2024
We were highly recognized in IP STARS 2024
In IP STARS 2024 published by Managing IP Research Team, our firm was highly evaluated in the following category, and the following attorneys and patent attorneys were recognized as leading intellectual property specialists.Patent disputes – domestic firms (2024) : Tier 1
Patent prosecution – domestic firms (2024) : Tier 3Patent star 2024：Eiji Katayama Hiroshi Kobayashi Mami Hino Naho Ebata Shimako Kato
Trade mark star 2024：Naho Ebata