FAQ

August 16, 2017

If a third party starts sharing an apartment with the renter, does this count as subleasing?

The rule against subleasing extends to situations where friends or family move in with the renter.  Having a temporary visitor at a rented apartment is normally not a cause for legal action on the part of the landlord, but a problem arises if the visitor begins living at the apartment.  If someone other than the renter begins living at the apartment, the additional party needs to also be on the rental lease.
July 24, 2017

Why is it important to have a Japanese contract translated by an attorney?

While a choice of language clause can help clarify which of the versions of the contract is the real one, it is important to have the translation as accurate as possible for a variety of reasons.  When drafting a contract, each word carries special meaning and, if a sloppy translation is provided to one party, they may not have an accurate understanding of what the contract really says. 
June 28, 2017

What is an Exclusive License Agreement?

The exclusivity of an agreement is an important part of negotiating any business deal and plays a large role in licensing agreements and distributorship agreements.  Making a distributorship agreement exclusive means that only the distributor with the exclusive right may sell the products.  Similarly, an exclusive license means that only the licensee can use the license.  This exclusivity provides a major business advantage, ensuring that the exclusive distributor or licensee will not face any competition from other companies distributing the same product or using the same license.
June 6, 2017

What is an Undertaking Not to Compete?

An undertaking not to compete is a clause often used in commercial contracts in industries where competition is fierce.  The clause aims to prevent a partner company or employee from engaging in business with a competitor during the term of the contract.  In some cases, the undertaking not to compete, also sometimes called a non-compete clause, may prevent competition even after the contract ends for a set period of time.