- Firm Overview
- High Ability to Acquire Rights
- Features of our OA response processing
- High Patent Registration Rate
- Other
- Patent Attorneys / Editor
1. Firm Overview
SHINSEI Patent Office, which has been in business since 1974, is a medium-sized patent firm in Japan. We have 9 patent attorneys and 18 engineering specialists.
We believe the most important thing is a good understanding of each client and their business, which helps us provide the best suitable lP services.
All of us keep in mind our motto of “serving clients first and best” and commit ourselves deeply to our work.
We were ranked 54th by number of patent applications and 24st in the number of design registrations in the recent aggregated data, out of about 5,000 patent firms in Japan, according to the JPO Website and private patent statistics agencies website. In the last 10 years, we have consistently ranked between 40th to 80th on patent applications, and 20th to 70th on design registrations.
In recent years, the number of trademark applications has increased and we have added staff accordingly.
While not a large patent firm, we endeavor to leverage our size to provide detailed, customized services that closely fit our customer’s needs. In order to meet these needs, we maximize valuable rights for our clients.
2. High Ability to Acquire Rights
For example, at our firm, we work as a team on important, difficult, or special cases. (e.g., conducting analysis and preparing expert opinions on infringement, invalidity, opposition, dealing with client’s special requests, etc.) Within each team in the various technical fields (e.g., Medical Device related, Pharmaceutical and Chemical, Semiconductor related, Computer science and related, Daily Necessities, Machinery and Mechatronics, etc.), several specialists discuss and propose the most appropriate response to the client. This unique approach is included in our basic fee schedule for the cases and does not involve additional costs.
3. Features of our OA response processing
Our Review at the time of OA response is free of charge if you submit a response (amendment, opinion) to the JPO.
Our Review includes a thoroughly analyzed review of the US and EP applications corresponding to the Japanese application. If the amendments (claims, etc.) and counter-arguments of the corresponding US and EP applications are effective, we will propose a strategy in our Review that positively utilizes them.
For an OA report analyzing and reporting on oppositions to reasons for refusal and claim amendments, efforts are made to prepare reports whose contents are easy to understand, for example by explaining inventions using drawings and tables.
In addition, although it is rare for Japanese patent firms, we actively discuss reasons for refusal relating to Japan-specific examination criteria to Japan, for example, reasons for refusal such as inadequate description of the specification and subject matter eligibility examination and sensitive reasons for refusal with the JPO examiners and trial examiners of the JPO on the telephone, in person or in an examiner’s meeting, if necessary.
In principle, the above discussions with the JPO examiners are free of charge.
On average, we have discussions with examiners more than 10 times a week.
4. High Patent Registration Rate
As a result of these measures, our firm has maintained a high registration assessment rate for many years.
We were recognized by the JPO as a firm with a high patent registration rate. In the Annual Patent Report issued by the JPO, our firm had long been in the top 100 (Unfortunately, publication is currently suspended).
We have a great deal of know-how on counterarguments and amendments specific to Japanese patent law, which we have acquired in the course of responding to OA of domestic applications. We are able to reflect our know-how in the OA response of applications based on foreign applications such as those from the US. As a result, over the years, we maximize the rate of obtaining patents with the broadest possible scope.
5. Other
For example, in accordance with our motto of “serving clients first and best”, we are happy to adjust translation fees, for example, in the case of simultaneous filing of related applications or mid-case acceptance of a case.
Please feel free to consult with us regarding issues specific to your case.
Masanobu Kato, Ph.D.
Principal Patent Attorney
6. Patent Attorneys / Editor
Masanobu Kato
Principal Patent Attorney / Ph.D.
Hiroshi Oshino
Patent Attorney
Shinya Fukukawa
Patent Attorney
Takafumi Oshima
Patent Attorney
Supplementary Note of Specific Infringement Lawsuit Counsel
Tsukasa Ota
Patent Attorney
Supplementary Note of Specific Infringement Lawsuit Counsel
Hiroyuki Kato
Patent Attorney
Masaaki Sakanoue
Patent Attorney
Supplementary Note of Specific Infringement Lawsuit Counsel
Yutaka Nagata
Patent Attorney
Supplementary Note of Specific Infringement Lawsuit Counsel
Takamasa Asano
Patent Attorney
Steven Bohme
Editor