In 2009, the Trademark and Design Group was established in the Intellectual Property Division to provide full services in relation to trademark and design. We provide a wide range of services relating to trademarks/designs, including filing and prosecution of applications in Japan and overseas, consultation, and dispute resolution. We also provide consultation regarding copyright, unfair competition, domain names, trade names, etc.

We strive to be prompt, accurate, and proactive in providing our services.

Prosecution of Applications
– Providing strategic advice on how to select goods/services for trademark filings, and to effectively protect product design by design rights, etc.
– Filing and prosecuting applications (domestic and international) before the JPO, responding to Office Actions.
– Negotiation with owners of cited trademark registrations for co-existence of marks.

Consultation
– Providing assessment on the scope of third party rights and risk of infringement.
– Providing strategic advice on how to deal with a Cease and Desist letter when received from a third party.
– Global networking with attorneys in many jurisdictions to deal with not only domestic but also overseas IP issues.

Clearance Search
– Providing clearance search services for availability of use and registration of trademarks and designs.
– Providing strategic filing advice based on results of clearance search from a viewpoint to minimize the risks and maximize the possibilities of the client’s business.

Dispute Resolution
– Filing non-use cancellation actions, oppositions, and invalidation trials against third party registrations.
– Enforcement against third party infringement.
– In case of litigation, IP professionals (attorneys-at-law) from our Legal Division will join the team.