Representatives for a number of major music schools, particularly those (like Yamaha) involved in sale of musical instruments, and JASRAC (Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers) spoke at initial hearings in the Tokyo District Court on September…
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On May 23, 2017, the Japanese Intellectual Property High Court (IPHC) ruled in favor of Keisen’s client Garmin in a patent infringement claim brought by Pioneer (Case No H28(2016)(NE)10096). The IPHC not only unanimously rejected all of Pioneer’s infringement claims…
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In a possibly consequential decision, the IP High Court overturned the Tokyo District Court’s infringement case decision against Debiopharm International S.A., judging that plaintiff Nichi-Iko’s patent No. 4430229 was not infringed. What was important about the decision was that the…
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The Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers (JASRAC) is known for being strict, even (some would say) overbearing with those who perform music that is covered by their copyrighting policies. JASRAC recently announced plans to charge 2.5%…
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Presiding Judge Misao Shimizu of Japan’s Intellectual Property High Court became its sixth presiding Chief Judge in January 2017. The Hon. Shimizu’s Inaugural Remarks are available on the IP High Court’s website.[1] Japan instituted the IP High Court, connected to…
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The options and implications for post-issuance/grant proceedings and oppositions in Japan can be complicated, and you will need to take various factors into consideration. Our presentation gives you background and ideas for protecting or challenging issued patents. We would be…
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Taro Yaguchi, Senior Partner at Keisen Associates, successfully defended the Japanese distributor of a US GPS navigation products producer before the Tokyo District Court, against claims of patent infringement asserted by a Japanese competitor. The Tokyo District Court dismissed the…
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As of October 21, 2015, petitioners have filed 119 post-grant Opposition cases, which have been possible from April 1, 2015 under the 2014 amendment of Japan’s Patent Act. Of the Oppositions filed, 41 (34%) were filed against patents classified in…
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The Supreme Court of Japan made a historic decision on Product-By-Process (PBP) claims on June 5, 2015 (Case Nos. Heisei 24 (Ju) 2658 and Heisei 24 (Ju) 2658.) Prior to the Supreme Court’s decision, the Grand Panel of Intellectual Property…
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The Japan Patent Office (JPO) appeal board functions as the court of first instance, and appeal decisions made on an appeal against a Final Decision of Rejection made by the JPO are subject to review by the Intellectual Property High…
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