Intellectual property: Independent local firms in Japan

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune ’s intellectual property practice group offers strong patent, trademark, and copyright expertise both in transactional work and disputes, with close ties to other groups in firm to provide a comprehensive IP offering. Capitalising on the varied scientific and technical experience of its attorneys, the group possesses deep knowledge and expertise in the electronics, machinery, telecommunications, chemical, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The firm has also expanded with the launch of a foreign law joint enterprise in 2021, expanding the firm’s cross-border capabilities in jurisdictions such as the US, UK, and Mainland China. The group is headed by Yasufumi Shiroyama, and co-led by a number of IP practitioners who are specialists within their own right. Yoshikazu Iwase is a patent litigation and licensing specialist; Akihito Nakamachi, dual US (New York and California) and Japan qualified lawyer; Wataru Shimizu, who’s recent expertise includes IP matters in emerging economies. Miki Goto, Masayuki Yamanouchi, and Makoto Ono have scientific backgrounds as well as legal expertise, and advise on trademark and technology antitrust issues, trade secrets and pharmaceutical patent infringements, and patent matters in the biochemical, agrochemical and food engineering industry respectively.

Considered as one of Japan’s leading firms for IP litigation, Mori Hamada & Matsumoto’s IP team has significant experience in handling infringement cases involving patents, designs, trademark and copyright in invalidation trials, appeals, and interventions. With both an international and Japan based litigation practice, it has expertise in the globalisation of corporate business and IP disputes within the technology and life sciences sectors. The transaction practice represents clients in joint research, development, and technology transfer agreements. In addition, the firm also offers IP management; it advises on control systems and internal policies/procedures for both start-ups and large corporations. The team is co-led by Yutaka Miyoshi  – a disputes expert across all types of IP and in related technology transactions; and Yoshifumi Onodera , who is also an expert in dispute resolution as well as arbitration and licensing with a biology and chemistry background. Atsushi Okada  is also a name of note.

‘Superior in huge, multilateral international cases’ the Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu IP practice group covers the breadth of litigation and transactional matters, due diligence, R&D agreements, and licensing. Notable individuals at the firm include Shunji Matsuda , who advises private corporates and public sector agencies. Kenji Tosaki is active in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly  in litigation. In addition, Keiji Tonomura has experience in representing global and local clients in TMT IP-related matters. The team manages an impressive client list of household names, with recent matters including litigation involving the well-known Mario brand in the Supreme Court.

Nishimura & Asahi‘s IP practice offers the capacity to deal with current and emerging legal issues related to domestic and international IP related changes. The team regularly collaborates with tangential teams to provide a comprehensive service, such as the tax and commercial and corporate teams. The firm regularly advises clients on matters involving AI, the IoT, as well as the media and entertainment sectors. The trademark side of the practice is often instructed in prosecution and enforcements in infringement and anti-counterfeiting, brand protection, and regulatory oversight. Yoshiyuki Miyashita is the head of the practice, who’s expertise includes transactions and dispute settlement across TMT sectors. Hitomi Iwase leads the trademark division, covering the technology, life-sciences, healthcare, entertainment and fashion industries. Hiroshi Suga also has litigation experience, particularly in IP licensing matters and information management.

TMI Associates’s IP practice covers the full spectrum of IP related matters and has a powerful contentious and transactional practice. Adept in infringement litigation, invalidation trials and appeals and suspensions/injunctions, the attorneys have extensive knowledge, particularly in the entertainment and media sectors. The transaction arm of the practice also has extensive experience in the media sector, alongside technology, sports, and IT-related business inside and outside of Japan in matters such as licensing and manufacturing agreements, content distribution, and e-commerce. Katsuro Tanaka and Tomohiro Tohyama lead the practice jointly, and both have expertise in contentious and non-contentious IP matters. Also of note is Mitsuko Miyagawa, a trademark, design, copyright, and trade secret expert.

Atsumi & Sakai offers a comprehensive IP and IT practice experienced in licence transactions, dispute resolution and litigation in relation to patent rights, trademarks, copyright and the Unfair Competition Prevention Law. The IP&IT practice group handles patent, trademark and other intellectual property disputes involving clients from a range of industries, both Japanese and foreign. The team is co-led by registered foreign lawyer Ian Stanley Scott  and Chie Kasahara.

Nakamura & Partners is an international patent and law firm whose IP offering includes advice and services related to patents, designs, and trademark rights, both in domestic and international matters. The team is co-led by Shinichiro Tanaka ; Hiroyuki Itaki; Hiroyuki Suda; Yasufumi Yamamoto; Kazuo Yamasaki and Mitsuru Matsushita.

Joining the rankings this year, Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners is a full service firm with both Tokyo and Osaka offices. The firm’s IP group offers a strong transactional practice with extensive experience in the fields of chemistry, biotechnology, pharmacy, machinery and entertainment. In addition, the team handles a large number of negotiations and lawsuits regarding unfair competition and trade secrets. The IP group also advises on various types of proceedings both before the Japan Patent Office and overseas. The department is led by Takamitsu Shigetomi, a licensing and litigation specialist. Also of note are Toshiya Furusho and Takashi Hirose.

Hiroe & Associates’ IP offering covers the gamut of services in patents, industrial designs, copyright, and trademarks. The firm provides high quality services within the pharmaceutical, biotechnological, and chemical industries in domestic and cross border matters. Chairman and managing partner Takenori Hiroe  specialises in IP rights disputes, particularly in the areas of textile engineering, copyright, and unfair competition cases. Also of note, are co-leader Masanori Hiroe and Satoshi Hashimoto , head of patents at the firm. Hiroe has expertise in trademark applications, appeals, cancellations and oppositions. Hashimoto’s areas of expertise includes electrical engineering, software, semiconductors and computers.