Industry Reports - More Updates

Japan

Shobayashi International Patent & Trademark Office

• 25 Jul

  2018

  Twitter retweet function causes moral rights infringement

  The Japanese IP High Court has ruled that retweeting an infringing tweet also constitutes copyright infringement and has ordered the disclosure of user information to a copyright owner. The decision may make users feel uneasy and prompt Twitter to review its retweet function. Full text

• 11 Jul

  2018

  Japan considers expanding design protection to cover wider range of designs

  A recent report has suggested amending the Design Law in order to address increasingly diverse methods of design. Among other things, Japan is considering expanding protection to projected and spatial designs, as well as relaxing the rules governing a series of designs for a given product. Full text

• 27 Jun

  2018

  Business-related patents steadily increase

  The Japan Patent Office has revealed the latest numbers of patent applications for business-related inventions, showing a significant increase since 2011. As new technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things gain traction, business-related patents are becoming increasingly attractive. Full text

• 11 Apr

  2018

  Local government strongly supports patent licensing between large companies and SMEs

  The so-called 'Kawasaki model' has inspired projects to revitalise local industries by successfully involving large companies in licensing unused patents to small and medium-sized enterprises. Such projects have attracted many major industry players and local government support. Full text

• 21 Feb

  2018

  Patent licensing business model attracts attention

  A business model for large companies to license unused patents to small and medium-sized enterprises, which then develop new products and generate new business, is attracting considerable attention in Japan. Full text

• 22 Nov

  2017

  Supreme Court reverses taxation on tax haven subsidiary

  The Japanese government is strengthening the oversight of overseas patent transfers. A recent Supreme Court ruling may help companies to judge whether anti-tax haven rules apply to their foreign IP management subsidiaries. Full text

• 18 Oct

  2017

  Government requests guideline suggestions for standard-essential patent licence negotiation

  The government recently held a meeting to discuss issues involving standard-essential patent licensing in accordance with the Intellectual Property Strategic Programme 2017, which was published in May 2017. Full text

• 11 Oct

  2017

  Generic company planning strategic lawsuits with recently acquired US subsidiary

  Sawai Pharmaceutical Co is planning to undertake lawsuits in the United States in cooperation with its newly acquired US subsidiary Upsher-Smith Laboratories Inc. If Sawai succeeds, other Japanese generic companies may adopt its approach. Full text

• 27 Sep

  2017

  Border enforcement: China stays top in originating country of infringing imported goods into Japan

  The Japanese government recently published statistics on the import suspension of IP-infringing goods into Japan during the first half of 2017. The statistics highlight an increase in design rights cases; regarding types of intellectual property, most cases are for import suspension due to trademark infringement. Full text

• 30 Nov

  2016

  IP management theory is vital for effective growth strategy

  To what extent can an agent (and a qualified person) be serviceable in planning an IP strategy? This report examines the idea of a 'qualified person' from the perspective of management theory, under the theme of the tools required to formulate IP strategy. Full text