FAQ Archives - Page 11 of 12 - Ohara & Furukawa

February 23, 2016

How do you stop another party from infringing on your patent?

When another party is infringing on your intellectual property it is important to stop the infringing action as quickly as possible. Every day that passes without action results in more infringing sales and possible damage to your IP or brand. Sending a warning letter from a lawyer’s office sometimes can bring an end to the infringing behavior quickly and painlessly. Sending warning letters to infringing parties as a first measure is common practice in Japanese intellectual property disputes.

February 23, 2016

Why are trademarks important?

A trademark, unlike a patent or a copyright, protects a recognizable sign, design or expression that identifies a service or product. The most famous of these trademarks are instantly recognizable images that not only identify with a particular product but also have become part of modern culture. Some instantly recognizable trademark examples include the silhouette of an apple with a bite out of it or golden double arches forming a capital M.

February 23, 2016

Is it possible for foreign companies to apply for trademark protection in Japan?

The trademark system in Japan does not discriminate between domestic or international applicants. The protections offered by the Trademark Law are equally open to foreign companies and people as they are to Japanese citizens. This encourages international investment in Japan by giving foreign companies an easy method to secure protection for their intellectual property prior to expanding their business into the Japanese market.

February 23, 2016

How can I protect the design of my product so others can’t copy my idea?

Japan’s Design Law provides protection for the shape, form and external appearance of an object. This protection is based upon the visual examination of the object, so objects whose form is too small to be recognized by the human eye (such as a single grain of powder) cannot be protected under the Design Law. The design also has to be of a type that can be replicated and mass produced.