For the third time, we take a look at the relatively new Designs that can be protected (and challenged) in Japan–the Interior Designs. What is a Japanese Interior Design Patent? Can a layout of a room actually be “intellectual property”?…
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We published an article in August 2021 and a followup newsflash in December regarding the Japanese government’s move toward a legal framework for a new secret patent system. The task force considering aspects of economic security for Japan presented their…
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On October 12, 2021, Mitsubishi Electric went public with Open Technology Bank, a patent licensing clearinghouse for many of its patents. This “Open Technology Bank” (OTB) of Mitsubishi Electric touts various technologies the company is willing to license to others…
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Japan’s Patent Act Article 93 allows for enforced licensing of a patent for the public interest, but it has never been successfully used. However, that may change. Takahashi Masayo (Ph.D.) was the first to successfully transplant retinal cells generated through…
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Around the world, innovators are trying to find applications of present technologies to combat the trenchant spread of novel coronavirus COVID-19. Researchers in Fukushima Prefecture at Fukushima Medical University found hope in use of antibodies to help capture Covid viruses…
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Leaders of eleven top Japanese companies met on May 31, 2021 to plan a new cooperative corporation to coordinate nationwide advances in quantum technology and applications. The group intends to initiate a formal corporate establishment meeting this summer. The participating…
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