[Firm Profile] HARAKENZO WORLD PATENT & TRADEMARK - Leading Patent Law Firm in Japan(Osaka & Tokyo)

Television Conference System

In HARAKENZO, both Osaka head office and Tokyo head office are equipped with the television conference systems (based on protocol H. 320 and H. 323). It is remote conference system using telephone line (ISDN) and television. Thus introduced system enables us to offer to our clients high quality services such as the following 1 to 3.

By connecting HARAKENZO's television conference system to JPO's television conference system, it is possible for us to interview with examiners of JPO via a television.
By using the television conference system, it is possible for us to make prompt and effective conference with our clients at a distant place. The television conference system makes it unnecessary for us and our clients to move for conference, resulting in great reduction of time and costs.
By using the television conference system, it is possible for us to make real-time conference with foreign patent attorneys and enterprises while we are in Japan.

(*System should be introduced to both users to hold a conference)

Tokyo Head Office

Television Conference System (2)

Osaka Head Office

Pre-registration practices

We conduct a prompt prior art search with our in-house facilities. It is advantageous that our firm has a direct on-line access to the Japanese Patent Office and Japanese Patent Information Organization (JAPIO) and so on, through databases.

Acting as proxy of clients, we properly prepare application materials and proceed application procedures for patents and other industrial property rights. Our patent attorneys and expert staff prepare high-quality application materials for clients. Applications can be immediately made on-line. We go through application procedures to JPO via Paris route and PCT route, etc. on behalf not only of domestic clients, but also of patent attorneys and clients all over the world.
With regard to applications to patent offices abroad, our patent attorneys, experts of foreign patent legislations, prepare required documentations in conformity with the national legislation, offering to the client, a suggestion to obtain rights in the country in question according to the patent law of the country. We concretely support complicated application procedures in liaison with partner patent attorneys all over the world.

On receiving grounds for rejection from the Patent Office, we thoroughly review them, propose suitable amendments, and draft a response. We also respond at once to any job request, such as assignment of patent rights.

Registration and post-registration practices

<preparing expert opinions (e.g. judging validity and infringement of rights), submitting documents to prevent patent grant to a third party, filing oppositions, demanding trials for invalidation, filing requests for the Patent Offices' judgment, filing requests for re-examination and patent re-issue, preparing appraisal, licensing, license negotiations>

In handling a trial against an Examiner's decision, we hold a highly specialized discussion to determine a suitable course of action. We also represent our clients before the law courts in order to protect our clients' rights against infringement.

When a third party infringes the patent right of our client, we make a thorough analysis on infringement, including preparation of an appraisal, and, if necessary, file a lawsuit in close cooperation with our partner law firm. In court, our patent & trademark attorneys, having passed "Specified Infringement Litigation Proxy Service Examination", are entitled not only to assist attorneys-at-law, but also to represent clients as co-counsels.

When, on the other hand, a client seems to be responsible for a third party's patent right, we make our best efforts, by means of reconciliation and negotiation, to fully protect our clients' interests. We have extensive experience in negotiating and preparing domestic and international license agreements across a wide spectrum of technologies.

Due to a series of recent amendments to the Patent Law in an attempt to upgrade the financial value of intellectual property rights in Japan to the international standard, amounts of compensation in patent infringement cases have skyrocketed. In these pro-patent circumstances, we continue to provide our clients with comprehensive legal consultation to protect their benefits.