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Jan 22,2025
Advancements in Trademark Examination Using AI by the Japan Patent Office (JPO)
According to the 2024 Annual Patent Report issued by the Japan Patent Office (JPO), an AI-based prior image trademark search system (Image Search Tool) has been provided to examiners and has been in use since April 2023. Furthermore, in FY2023, the JPO conducted a technical validation to assess the feasibility of applying AI technology to prior word mark searches.
The FY2024 Revision of the JPO Action Plan for Utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology indicates that agile development process is currently underway to apply AI technology to examinations of designated goods and services. The use of AI and related technologies is expected to contribute to improving the quality of trademark examinations.
Under the current situation, AI-based examination tools are intended for use by the JPO examiners only, and no plan has been announced to make these tools publicly accessible.
2024 Annual Patent Report (Part 3, Chapter 3: Efforts in Trademarks)
(In Japanese)
https://www.jpo.go.jp/resources/report/nenji/2024/document/index/0303.pdf
FY2024 Revision of the JPO Action Plan for Utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI)
(In Japanese)
https://www.jpo.go.jp/system/laws/sesaku/ai_action_plan/ai_action_plan-fy2024.html
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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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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 -
Dec 13,2024
We were highly evaluated in Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025
In Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025（Chambers & Partners）, our firm was highly evaluated in the following category, and the following lawyers and patent attorneys were highly evaluated.
Please check the website of Chambers & Partners for more details.Intellectual Property Domestic：Band 1
Bengoshi：Eiji Katayama（Senior Statespeople） Junichi Kitahara（Band 4） Makoto Hattori（Band 4）
Benrishi：Mami Hino（Band 1） Shimako Kato（Band 2）Life Sciences：Band 3
Mami Hino（Band 2）Restructuring / Insolvency：Band 3
Eiji Katayama（Senior Statespeople） -
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.