1979
Founded on September 20, 1979.
The Firm was established and its first office was located in Chiyoda Daiichi building at Minamimorimachi, Osaka. The Firm comprised the Founder-Owner and one legal secretary.
1980
First patent application.
November 29, 1980
The Firm's first patent application filing was published by the JPO. The patent applicant was USS Engineers and Consultants Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Steel Corporation (USS) that was created in 1969 to generate additional revenue from the technology and services USS developed in-house. The invention was directed to a method of making high-strength, low-alloy, rim-stabilized steel.
1982
First trademark application.
July 21, 1982
The Firm's first ever trademark application for a foreign applicant was made for Georgia-based Peachtree Software Inc.
1982
First biotechnology patent application.
August 6, 1982
The Firm's first ever biotechnology patent application was published by the JPO. The patent applicant was The Regents of the University of California and the invention was directed to somatostatin precursors. It was a pioneering biotechnology patent application in Japan.
1983
First patent grant.
January 13, 1983
The Firm successfully prosecuted its first ever Japanese patent grant and the patent was directed to a food stirring device.
1987
First LCD TV display patent application.
August 27, 1987
The Firm's first ever LCD television display technology patent application was filed and it was published by the JPO on March 3, 1989. The application is one of the cases belonging to multi-generational portfolio of LCD patents for a major Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer.
1990
Crystal Tower, Osaka Business Park.
April 1, 1990
The Firm moved into a suite on the 13th floor and was one of the initial tenants of Crystal Tower located at Osaka Business Park. On March 10, 1994, we moved to the 15th floor in view of expansion needs.
1993
First DVD standards patent application.
July 15, 1993
The Firm's first ever DVD standards patent application was published by the JPO. The application belonged to a multi-generational portfolio of patents for a major Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer.
1993
First LCD patent grant.
October 26, 1993
The Firm obtains the first allowance of a multi-generational series of foundational patents covering LCD television display technologies for a major Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer.
1995
Leading Japan patent attorney.
March 15, 1995
The Firm's Founder-Owner, Mr. Shusaku Yamamoto, was featured as a leading Japan patent attorney in the Euromoney's Guide to the World's Leading Patent Law Practitioners.
1996
Pioneering biotechnology patent litigation.
September 30, 1996
As part of a worldwide settlement, the Firm's clients, Harvard University and Biogen, concluded its Japanese patent litigation against a large Japanese pharmaceutical company and its foreign business partner at the Osaka District Court. This pioneering Japanese biotech patent litigation covered the commercial production of proteins which commenced in 1994,. The Harvard inventor and Biogen founder Walter Gilbert, Ph.D., is one of three scientists recognized with the 1980 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work in understanding the sequencing of DNA.
1996
Landmark biotechnology opposition victory.
October 1, 1996
The Firm successfully defended the groundbreaking HCV diagnostic patent for biotechnology pioneer, Chiron Corporation, against 14 oppositions that were filed against it at the JPO. The opponents included such companies as Kyokuto Seiyaku, United Biochemical, Tonen Kokusai Shiyaku, Akzo and Roche.
Emeryville-based Chiron's HCV inventions provided effective tools for diagnosing infection and screening blood donations which transmitted the virus, resulting in the virtual elimination of the risk of HCV infection from blood transfusions. Chiron was acquired by Novartis for $5.1 billion in 2005.
1996
1,000th Japanese patent grant.
December 19, 1996
The Firm successfully prosecuted its 1,000th Japanese patent grant. The invention was titled "Hybrid powder coating curing system".
1997
ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME® Trademark Registered.
June 17, 1997
The Firm successfully obtained the trademark registration to ROCK AND ROCK HALL OF FAME®. The picturesque and dynamic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum was designed by internationally renowned architect I.M. Pei and vividly celebrates the history and continuing significance of rock and roll music.
1997
Supreme Court of Japan Affirms Firm's Invalidation Victory.
September 18, 1997
The Supreme Court of Japan upheld the successful invalidation of a client's Japanese competitor patent covering a polyurethane mixing apparatus. The JPO had originally dismissed the Firm's invalidity challenge but on appeal, the Firm successfully persuaded the High Court to overturn the JPO decision and invalidated the patent. The patentee unsuccessfully appealed to the Supreme Court.
1999
Software patent infringement litigation.
February 1, 1999
The Firm successfully represented a leading Massachusetts-based computer and network security company in its defense against patent infringement before the Osaka District Court. The court held there was no infringement of two Japanese software patents relating to an access control system & authentication device owned by a Japanese assignee and a Japanese non-practising entity. The Court dismissed their lawsuits, which sought damages, preliminary injunctive and permanent injunctive relief.
1999
10,000th patent application filing.
June 18, 1999
The Firm's 10,000th patent application filing was published by the JPO. The invention is titled "Method and device for efficient operation regarding value of basic type free of static overloading."
1999
20th Anniversary Publication of 20/20 for the 21st Century.
September 20, 1999
The Firm commemorated the 20th anniversary of its founding by commissioning a collection of essays titled 20/20 for the 21st Century. 20/20 is a collection of 21 articles covering all aspects of IP law from the world's leading IP practitioners. The Prologue to 20/20 was written by renowned patent law academic, Professor Donald S. Chisum.
20/20 was warmly received by the world's university leading law libraries including Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, UCLA, Michigan, University of Chicago, NYU, USC and several other law school libraries. The British Library requested a copy of 20/20 for its collection in 2005.
1999
1,000th Trademark Registration.
October 15, 1999
The Firm obtained its 1,000th Japanese trademark registration and the mark belonged to a leading wireless handheld devices pioneer from Waterloo, Canada.
1999
Honored in World's Leading Patent Law Experts Guide.
November 19, 1999
The Firm's Founder-Owner, Mr. Shusaku Yamamoto, was featured as a leading Japan patent attorney in the 1999 Euromoney Guide to the World's Leading Patent Law Experts.
2000
David v. Goliath patent arbitration settlement over cancer imaging device.
August 4, 2000
The Firm successfully helped a small British Columbia startup manufacturer of cancer diagnostic imaging devices against Olympus Optical before the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association. In a classic David v. Goliath battle, the tiny startup had to lay off 80% of its staff to preserve cash in its fight against Olympus. The Firm provided an expert legal opinion in support of the startup's Japanese trade secret and patent misappropriation case against Olympus. Olympus settled without any admission as to liability and paid a total of $7.3 million as development costs.
2000
Nobel Prize Winning conductive polymer technology - successfully patented.
October 5, 2000
USSB Professor Alan Heeger won the 2000 Nobel Prize for Chemistry together with Alan G. MacDiarmid and Hideki Shirakawa. The trio won the Nobel Prize "for the discovery and development of conductive polymers". Prof. Heeger commercialized his technology through Uniax, a University of California, Santa Barbara spinoff. In the 1990's, UNIAX played a leading role in developing the science and technology of conducting polymers with many important contributions like polymer OLED displays. The firm prosecuted UCSB and Uniax patent applications at the JPO. Uniax was acquired by DuPont in March 2000.
2000
JONES NEW YORK® High Court Trademark Triumph.
October 6, 2000
The Firm successfully registered the JONES NEW YORK® mark which is the flagship brand of The Jones Group, an "innovative, consumer focused, and efficient player in the apparel industry." The registration was secured after the Firm won a landmark 1999 Tokyo High Court case which recognized that foreign television news reports documenting Japanese shoppers frequenting US outlet malls were material and relevant evidence in determining whether the mark was well known amongst Japanese consumers. This High Court victory capped a 10 year battle against the JPO that had refused to register the mark.
2000
Einstein Trademark Opposition Victory.
December 12, 2000
The Firm represented the owner of Albert Einstein's posthumous rights of publicity, his name and image in a successful opposition and revocation of an unauthorized einstein trademark obtained by the Baby Einstein Company (it subsequently became a division of entertainment behemoth Disney in 2001) a maker of infant and children education products. Disney later signed a US$2.66 million license with the brandowner for permission to use the EINSTEIN name.
2000
Jimmy Choo® Trademark Registered.
December 22, 2000
The Firm successfully obtained the first registration for JIMMY CHOO® of its Japanese trademark portfolio. This brand figured prominently in the lifestyle of the Carrie Bradshaw character in the cultural phenomenon and hit HBO series SEX AND THE CITY. In Season 3, Episode 1 that was aired on June 4, 2000, Carrie Bradshaw chases after the Staten Island ferry and ends up missing it after slipping out of her shoe, yelling, "Wait, I lost my Choo!"
2001
Signature of Diana, Princess of Wales Registered as Trademark.
May 5, 2001
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund® is an independent grant-giving charity established in September 1997 to continue the late Princess' humanitarian work in the UK and overseas. The Firm represented the Fund and successfully registered the Fund's valuable trademarks related to the late Princess in Japan. The Firm is honored to have played a small part in the Fund's raising of over £80 million that was generated by the sale of authorized branded products under the Fund's commercial licensing program.
2001
Recommended Japan IP Practice 2001/2002.
July 18, 2001
The Firm was honored as one of Japan's recommended IP practices in the Legalese's Asia-Pacific Legal 500 2001/2002. The Firm was listed in subsequent annual editions of Asia-Pacific Legal 500.
2002
Successful invalidation of Laser Excimer patent.
January 18, 2002
The Firm represented a Santa Clara-based laser excimer manufacturer against Nidek, a much larger and more formidable Japan-based competitor. The Firm successfully invalidated Nidek's Japanese patent covering advanced laser systems for laser vision correction. Nidek had prevailed previously in the United States and United Kingdom but the Firm successfully invalidated Nidek's patent in its own home market, Japan. In April 2003, the two adversaries entered into a settlement agreement including cross-licensing and other terms.
2002
First Blue Ray DVD standards Patent Grant.
October 18, 2002
The Firm obtains its first ever patent grant directed to the Blu-ray DVD platform for a major Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer.
2002
Jerry Garcia's Iconic Handprint Trademark Registered.
November 22, 2002
The Firm successfully registered the iconic Jerry Garcia hand trademark for the estate of the late rock legend. Jerry Garcia was the co-founder of the Grateful Dead and died in 1995. The New York Times obituary celebrated Jerry's "smiling, bearded face" which "became an icon of a utopian 1960's spirit." After a wood-chopping accident at age four, part of Garcia's middle finger was amputated. With only half the middle digit, the hand became a famous symbol for Garcia.
2003
Searching for the cure to SARS.
March 15, 2003
On March 15, 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a "worldwide health threat" and that possible cases and deaths have been identified in Canada, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. On behalf of a leading Chinese university and venture company, the Firm subsequently filed its first Japanese patent application directed to the treatment of SARS in 2004.
2003
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?® Trademark Protected.
April 30, 2003
The Firm successfully registered the world famous title of the game show that became a cultural phenomenon. The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire® franchise is the most internationally popular television franchise of all time, having aired in more than 100 countries worldwide according to the BBC.
2003
Tokyo office established at Imperial Tower.
December, 2003
2004
Avian influenza pandemic - neuraminidase inhibitor patent.
January 13, 2004
The World Health Organization confirmed the deaths of three people in Vietnam linked to bird flu - highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus - which triggered a worldwide crisis. The anti-viral Tamiflu emerged as the best available medicine against H5N1.
The Firm obtained the Japanese patent covering the neuraminidase inhibitor for Gilead Sciences, which was marketed as Tamiflu by Roche. Tamiflu was stockpiled by the Japanese, United States, European and many other national governments in preparation against the threat of an avian influenza pandemic.
2004
BLOOM® cosmetics trademark registered.
March 12, 2004
The Firm successfully registered the portfolio of trademarks owned by Melbourne-based Bloom Pty. Ltd. The company has a range of over 300 products and has developed a cult following in Australia, the United States, Europe, parts of Asia, and even the Middle East. Its entry into Japan was natural given that Japan is the world's second largest cosmetics market.
Celebrity fans of Bloom include: Kylie Minogue, Elle Macpherson, Liv Tyler, Naomi Campbell, Geri Halliwell, Britney Spears and Kate Hudson.
2004
The Lawyers - cover feature.
The Founder-Owner was honored with a Cover Feature in The Lawyers Japanese legal trade publication. Mr. Yamamoto was the first ever Japanese patent attorney to have been featured as a Cover Feature interview of The Lawyers.
2005
5,000th Japanese patent grant.
July 8, 2005
The invention was titled "SDRAM clocking test mode."
2005
First Japanese patent to Segway granted.
September 22, 2005
The Firm successfully secured the first allowance of the Japanese patent portfolio covering the Segway Human Transporter, the famous invention of Dean Kamen. Launched in 2002, the Segway is the first self-balancing, electric-powered personal transportation machine that uses five gyroscopes and a built-in computer to remain upright. In April 2002, Kamen was awarded the Lemelson-MIT Prize for his Segway invention.
2005
Yoshino, Nara - Fall 2005.
November 3, 2005
2005
25,000th patent application filing published.
December 15, 2005
The invention was titled "Audio direct from power supply."
2006
Nobel Prize for Medicine 2006 - RNAi and patents.
October 2, 2006
The 2006 Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to Drs. Andrew Fire and Craig Mello "for their discovery of RNA interference - gene silencing by double-stranded RNA." The Firm has prosecuted several patent applications directed to RNAi-based therapeutics and other applications.
2006
BLUE PLANET RUN trademark filed.
October 10, 2006
The Firm filed and successfully registered the Japanese trademark registration for BLUE PLANET RUN®, the Redwood City-based non-profit dedicated to increase the awareness of safe drinking water and sanitation programs for people around the world.
The Blue Planet Run began at the United Nations in New York City with 20 elite runners of 13 nationalities. Covering 15,200 miles over 95 days, the Run has traversed 16 countries while generating over 600 million media impressions and nearly 1,200 news stories around the globe, including appearances on The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, NHK, ESPN, and the BBC.
2006
Akame Onsen, Mie - Fall 2006.
November 2, 2006
2006
First clear aligner Japanese patent granted.
November 19, 2006
The Firm obtained the allowance of the first patent of a market dominating Japanese patent portfolio for a Santa Clara-based global medical device company covering clear customized aligner technology. This technology gives patients a straighter, healthier smile without the more invasive treatment of traditional metal braces.
2006
Legendary Stratocaster Guitar Headstock Shape Trademark Registered.
November 24, 2006
The legendary Fender Stratocaster Guitar Headstock was successfully registered as a trademark by the Firm at the JPO. This iconic guitar, designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, has transcended music to rank among the most classic, distinctive and adored shapes of all time.
Iconic stratocaster players include Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, Ritchie Blackmore, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Pete Townshend and the immortal Jimi Hendrix.
2007
Honored as Leading Japanese Patent Firm 2007.
February 1, 2007
The Firm was listed as one of Japan's leading patent Firms by the journal Managing Intellectual Property in its February 2007 issue.
2007
Establishment of Fukuoka office.
April 1, 2007
2007
Koyasan, Wakayama - Summer 2007.
July 21, 2007
2007
SERENA WILLIAMS® trademark registered.
August 31, 2007
The firm represented Wimbledon champion, US Open Champion and 2012 Olympian gold medalist Serena Williams® and her sister Venus Williams® and successfully registered their names as trademarks at the JPO.
2007
Japanese non-practising entity's patent successfully invalidated.
October 10, 2007
On behalf of a Massachusetts-based American multinational semiconductor company, the Firm successfully invalidated a Japanese patent covering accelerometers and multi-dimensional sensors owned by a Saitama-based R&D company. The Firm also obtained the successful dismissal of the counterpart patent infringement proceeding at the Tokyo District Court.
2008
Fabergé RUSSIAN WITH LOVE® mark registered.
March 14, 2008
The firm registered RUSSIAN WITH LOVE for luxury jeweler, Fabergé at the JPO. In 2009, the Telegraph reported that Fabergé won the right to sell this named jewelry range, after winning a UK legal battle over the movie title FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE belonging to the James Bond movie franchise owners.
2008
Nobel Prize for Chemistry
October 8, 2008
The 2008 Nobel Prize for Chemistry was awarded "for the discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein, GFP" which was first observed in the majestic jellyfish, Aequorea victoria in 1962. Since then, the GFP protein has become one of the most important tools used in contemporary biomedical research.
The Firm has prosecuted several GFP patent applications where fluorescent-tagged proteins are used as biomarkers, biosensors, cell markers and tools in bioscience for use in biotechnology research, diagnostics and therapies.
2008
Toya, Hokkaido
October 11, 2008
To kickstart the Firm's 30th anniversary celebrations, the Firm organized a weekend trip to The Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa which hosted the 34th G8 Summit.
2008
E-Reader display screen technology patent granted.
October 31, 2008
The Firm successfully obtained the first patent of a portfolio covering the display screen technology that sparked the worldwide boom in electronic reading devices like Amazon's Kindle, Sony's E-Reader, and Plastic Logic's electronic books. The core technology is characterized by a reflective screen that resulted in low eye strain and simulates the look of ink on paper and very low battery consumption.
2009
Second Cover Feature - The Lawyers.
January 9, 2009
2009
Protecting R&D to Tackle Swine flu pandemic.
April 25, 2009
In response to several alarming cases of swine influenza A (H1N1), reported in Mexico and the United States of America, the WHO declared "a public health emergency of international concern." In assisting in the race for effective vaccine treatments against H1N1, the Firm was glad to play a small role in making a difference in protecting the lives of so many people from infection and disease by prosecuting several patent applications directed to H1N1 therapies before the JPO.
2009
Nobel Prize Physics - charge-coupled device patents.
October 6, 2009
Legendary Bell Labs researchers Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith were jointly awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize for Physics "for the invention of an imaging semiconductor circuit - the CCD sensor". This revolutionary optical CCD - charge-coupled device - has become an ubiquitous electronic eye in almost all areas of digital photography. The Firm had prosecuted to grant several CCD-related patents at the JPO which traced its roots to the breakthrough research of these Nobel Prize winners.
2009
Nobel Prize Winning Telomerase therapeutic patents.
October 20, 2009
The Firm is humbled to have represented Dr. Elizabeth H. Blackburn - one of the 2009 Nobel Prize for Medicine winners for the ground-breaking research that lead to the discovery of "how chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase." The Firm had handled and prosecuted to grant several significant telomerase-based therapeutic patents at the JPO which traced its roots to the breakthrough research to this landmark Nobel prize winning breakthrough.
2009
30th Anniversary Celebration Dinner
October 20, 2009
The Firm celebrated its significant landmark 30th anniversary on October 20, 2009 at the Rhiga Royal Hotel in Nakanoshima, Osaka. The event was attended by over 200 guests and staff.
2009
Pioneering IP High Court victory for first-ever Patent Term Extension for Biotech Therapy.
December 3, 2009
The Firm is humbled to have prosecuted several pioneering biotechnology innovations in the Japanese patent lanscape during the advent of the biotech industry in the 1980s/1990s. The process reached a full cycle when the Firm won an IP High Court victory for the first-ever patent term extension for a biotechnology therapy directed towards severely active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. The treatment was a dimeric fusion protein comprised of the extracellular domains of two TNF (tumor necrosis factor) receptors attached to a portion of an IgG immunoglobulin.
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2010
Plant Variety Protection for Strawberries.
March 17, 2010
The firm successfully obtained protection over 3 strawberry varieties under the Plant Variety Protection Act. In 2011, these varieties contributed nearly US$2.8 million in royalties and licensing income to the university owner which had successfully commercialized the results of its research in plant breeding and production physiology into cultivars and cultural practices all around the world.
2010
Kochi, Shikoku - Summer 2010.
June 10, 2010
2010
Famous Trademark Registered.
June 11, 2010
The firm successfully registered a famed lifestyle brand, BODUM® covering coffee and tea making products to tabletops, kitchen, storage, textiles, home and office products. The foundation concept of the business was the development of products, which consistently pay tribute to functionality, quality and affordability. BODUM®'s products are sold in 55 countries; there are 20 BODUM® stores worldwide and many more shop-in-shops.
2010
Olympian Swimming Legend's Name Protected as Trademark.
July 2, 2010
The firm assisted all-time Olympian swimming legend, MiICHAEL PHELPS® and successfully trademarked his name at the JPO. Phelps won a record setting 8 gold medals during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He is officially the greatest Olympian in history when he won his 19th gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics.
2010
40,000th patent application filing published.
October 11, 2010
The Firm's 40,000th patent application filling was published by the JPO. The invention was directed to an "applicator insertion device."
2011
10,000th patent granted.
January 14, 2011
The invention was titled "Methods and circuits for detecting powered device in network connection."
2011
Osaka - 2011 Summer Party.
July 13, 2011
2011
6,500th registered trademark.
October 28, 2011
The Firm obtained its 6,500th trademark registration covering recorded music, apparel merchandise and entertainment services for an American alternative rock band.
2011
11 Year Patent Battle Concludes with Victory.
November 16, 2011
The Firm successfully completed the defense of a leading Illinois-based global healthcare company in a patent infringement litigation battle over one of world's most widely used anesthetic agents. Earlier in 2009, the Firm achieved a rare double victory at the IP High Court of Japan when it persuaded the IPHCJ to issue a non-infringement finding and invalidated the patent in suit. The patentee subsequently appealed and corrected the patented claims to avoid invalidation. This brought an end to a patent fight that had started in 2000 and was fought in the US, UK, Europe, Asia and Latin America.
2012
Successful Validity Defense Campaign.
January 25, 2012
The Firm was patent counsel for a digital entertainment technology leader based in Santa Clara and successfully defended over 2 dozen invalidation challenges against the client's interactive program guide patent portfolio over the period of 2008 to 2012. This successful validity defense campaign was instrumental in the patentee's obtaining a favorable settlement against one of Japan's large consumer electronics manufacturers.
2012
Miki, Hyogo - Summer 2012.
July 14, 2012
2012
2,500th University-owned patent application filed.
July 30, 2012
The Firm filed its 2,500th university-owned Japanese patent application. We are humbled by the small role that we've played in helping university-based research play a central part in the global innovation process. Innovations originating from university research and transferred to industry for development and commercialization have improved the quality of life for people across the around the world. Examples of university sourced innovations include Google, hepatitis B vaccine, the prostate-specific antigen test, the Honeycrisp apple and FluMist.
2012
Firm Honored in iAM1000-The World's Leading Patent Practitioners 2012.
August 15, 2012
The Firm was recognized in iAM1000-The World's Leading Patent Practitioners 2012, 50 jurisdiction Best-in-Class listing of patent prosecution, licensing and litigation one-stop shops.
2012
Nobel Prize Winning G-protein-coupled receptors.
October 10, 2012
Drs. Robert J. Lefkowitz and Brian K. Kobilka won the 2012 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for their ground-breaking research "for studies of G-protein-coupled receptors" which form a remarkable modular system that allows transmission of a wide variety of signals over the cell membrane, between cells and over long distances in the body. The Firm is humbled to have prosecuted a Japanese patent directed to G-protein-coupled receptors for Nobelist Dr. Lefkowitz and Duke University at the JPO in 2011.
2013
Consecutive Honor in iAM1000-The World's Leading Patent Practitioners 2013.
May 29, 2013
The Firm was recognized for the second consecutive year as one of Japan's market-leading Best-in-Class patent prosecution, licensing and litigation one-stop shops by the world's most extensive guide to leading private practice patent professionals and firms.
2013
Firm secures pro bono trademark registration for leading autism NPO
July 5, 2013
The Firm secured the Japanese trademark registration for the Specialist People Foundation, which actively works to help companies to assess, train and secure employment for people with autism. With operations in Europe and the US, it has matched autistic talent to such IT giants as SAP and is expanding globally. The Foundation's work has been applauded by The New York Times, the Daily Beast and Financial Times. The Firm is honored to support the Foundation's important goal to enable one million jobs for people with autism through social entrepreneurship, corporate sector engagement and a global change in mind-set.
2013
Successful IP High Court invalidation of Japanese competitor's patent.
October 7, 2013
The Firm successfully represented a leading US-based waterjet manufacturer against a Japanese industrial cutting equipment maker and invalidated their competitor's Japanese patent at the Intellectual Property High Court (IPHC). Industrial waterjet cutting equipment is utilized by manufacturers to cut materials such as metals, alloys, copper, composites, titanium, glass, and more. The Firm successfully persuaded the IPHC to overturn the JPO Board of Appeals' decision, that had dismissed the initial invalidation challenge.
2014
The rankings for the 2014 edition of The Legal 500 Asia Pacific was released with SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO being recognized as a recommended Domestic Firm for Intellectual Property based on extensive research into the practice's achievements, reputation, peer and client feedback.
Published for over twenty years, the Legal 500 Series is universally relied on by clients, corporate counsel, CEOs, CFOs and professional advisers for its definitive judgment of law firm capabilities.
2014
Tower C, Grand Front Osaka.
March 24, 2014
The Firm moved to the 17th floor Tower C of Grand Front Osaka, the iconic modern heart of Osaka.
2014
Firm Scores Hat trick Honor with iAM Patent 1000 2014 - The World's Leading Patent Professionals
June 6, 2014
The Firm was recognized for the third consecutive year as one of Japan's leading private practice patent professionals and firms by iAM Patent 1000 which highlights the world's best-in-class patent prosecution, licensing and litigation practitioners.
2014
Nobel Prize Winning blue light-emitting diodes (LED)
October 8, 2014
Prof. Shuji Nakamura of University of California, Santa Barbara and 2 other Japanese professors won the 2014 Nobel Prize for Physics“for the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes (LED) which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources. The Nobel Prize committee reported that "Incandescent light bulbs lit the 20th century; the 21st century will be lit by LED lamps." The Firm is humbled to have represented The Regents of the University of California, Prof. Nakamura's university, in prosecuting blue LED patent applications at the Japan Patent Office.
2015
Recommended Again in The Legal 500, Asia Pacific 2015 Edition
January 24, 2015
SHUSAKU·YAMAMOTO continues to receive recognition as a preeminent independent local law firm recommended for Intellectual Property in the 2015 edition of The Legal 500 Asia Pacific.
We are pleased by the Firm's consistent mention in the authoritative legal practice rankings guide over the last decade. The Legal 500 Asia Pacific is a leading independent research guide, and firms and individuals are recommended based on reputation, client feedback, transactions and cases that the firms were involved with.
2015
Nobel Prize for Chemistry 2015 - Inventor client success
October 7, 2015
Dr. Aziz Sancar of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was one of the three recipients of the 2015 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for his ground-breaking research in mapping the cellular mechanisms "for mechanistic studies of DNA repair".
The Firm is honored to have assisted Dr. Aziz, as an inventor, and the University of North Carolina before the Japan Patent Office in Japanese patent prosecution.
