[SME Support Station] HARAKENZO WORLD PATENT & TRADEMARK - Leading Intellectual Property Law Firm in Japan(Osaka & Tokyo)

Small and Medium Enterprises
Support Station

Small and Medium Enterprises Support Station Chief Advisor: Patent and Trademark Attorney Hideaki YAMAMOTO
TEL FAX E-mail	: + 81-6-6351-4384 : + 81-6-6351-5664 :

Introduction

The socio-economic importance of intellectual property is constantly on the rise. In this context, establishing firm, adapted intellectual property management procedures and strategies is therefore a matter of great urgency for all economic actors. However, even though a great number of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) own proprietary technologies and valuable know-how, cases where these assets are not fully exploited – due for example to a lack of awareness of their value, or to the existence of financial constraints – are numerous. Harakenzo World Patent & Trademark’s SMEs Support Station provides SMEs with expert advice and assistance, in the objective to enable these companies to turn their intellectual property into a powerful tool to support their business activity.

1. Support on application filing

(1) Cost reduction support

System of reduction of examination fee and registration fee; grace period system
System of refund of the paid examination fee
Free prior art search conducted by search companies
Target : SMEs wishing to reduce the expenses related to the filing of patent applications

(2) Procedure support

Search for patent application trends
Target : SMEs wishing to obtain knowledge on the filing activities of their competitors
SMEs wishing to create and utilize patent maps
SMEs considering the direction to give to their R&D efforts
Accelerated examination for SMEs
Target : SMEs wishing to have their application examined in advance
Oral examination
Target : SMEs hoping to hasten the examination process by explaining technical details and the
gist of the invention to the Examiner
SMEs wishing to clarify the point of view of the Examiner
Fast translation service of foreign-language cited references upon the issue of an Office Action (Notification of reasons for refusal)
Target : SMEs wishing to understand as soon as possible the contents of foreign-language
cited references
Annuities management
Target : SMEs wishing to avoid errors in the management of their annuities
SMEs wishing to outsource the management of their annuities

2. Support on intellectual property strategy for SMEs

Introduction
Exploitation of research documents
Target : SMEs wishing to optimize their management and recording of the development process
of inventions
SMEs wishing to exploit research documents as a way to solve potential conflicts
Reduction of intellectual property risk
Target : SMEs wishing to reduce the risks related to intellectual property
SMEs wishing to put intellectual property risk at the core of their system of intellectual
property management
Brand strategy support
Target : SMEs wishing to enhance their brand strategy
SMEs wishing to exploit the strengths of their brands

3. Intellectual property information

Contact information

For inquiries regarding our firm’s support services to SMEs, please contact us by facsimile or e-mail using the information shown below.

Facsimile: +81-6-6351-5664
E-mail:

STAFFS

Small and Medium Enterprises Support Station Chief Advisor
Patent&Trademark Attorney
Adviser

Hideaki YAMAMOTO

Majored in Mathematics

Areas of expertise: Information technology, Telecommunication Networks, Web Technology, Control Systems, Embedded Systems

Degrees and Qualifications:
Intellectual Property Management Skills Test 1st Grade (Expert in Patent)
Software Design and Development Engineer
Embedded System Specialist

Revolutionary, brilliant ideas enrich our everyday life. However, I am well aware that protecting such valuable ideas and putting them to good use is a complex task.
It is therefore my daily endeavor to provide our clients with the best solutions to protect and exploit their precious ideas.

Chief Deputy Director General
Patent&Trademark Attorney / Specially Qualified Attorney For Infringement Litigation
Specialist

Kiyoshi FUKUI

Mr. Fukui specialized in Precision Science and Technology and studied Non-conventional Machining in university and graduate school.
After completing graduate school, he worked for a private company and was involved in R&D relating to semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
Through these experiences, he acquired a broad knowledge of technologies relating to Physics, for example in the fields of Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mechanical/Control Engineering, Optics/Electromagnetics, and Information/Communication Technology.

Following this, he joined HARAKENZO WORLD PATENT & TRADEMARK, and began to be involved in the prosecution of domestic and foreign patent cases in the field of Physics.
After qualifying as a Patent & Trademark Attorney and becoming a Specially Qualified Attorney For Infringement Litigation, he widened his field of practice to include expert testimony, litigation, consulting services and so on.

"An IP firm's capabilities are influenced a great deal by the professional skill levels of the individual members. However, simply assembling skilled personnel does not give an IP firm outstanding capability.
"Our firm has a diverse staff and each individual has highly specialized abilities. This diversity goes beyond the explanation in the "OUTLINE" section above. Moreover, our firm's organizational strength enables the individual staff members to make use of their abilities in a way that best suits the demands of our clients.
"We invite our clients to put the skills of our personnel and our firm's organizational strength to practical use in the increasingly sophisticated and complex fields of IP operations and IP strategy."

DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL << in charge of physical fields >>
Representative of Hiroshima Office
Patent&Trademark Attorney / Specially Qualified Attorney For Infringement Litigation
Specialist

Shinji IMANO

Shinji IMANO, BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tokyo, researched in Mechanical Engineering and Combustion Engineering of diesel engines.
After graduating from the university, he worked for a private automotive company and involved in technical management of production facilities.

Following this, he joined HARAKENZO WORLD PATENT & TRADEMARK, and began to be involved in the prosecution of domestic and foreign patent cases in the field of Physics.
After qualifying as a Patent & Trademark Attorney and becoming a Specially Qualified Attorney For Infringement Litigation, he widened his field of practice to include expert testimony, and consulting services and so on.

"As a high school student, I made up my mind to provide the technologies useful for people. To accomplish the goal, I believe it is essential to provide long-term satisfaction to all of our clients. I'll do my best with honesty to combine all of the abilities of each staff member of our firm, in order to provide excellent services that cannot be obtained through mere combination of individuals’ abilities."

Patent&Trademark Attorney / Specially Qualified Attorney For Infringement Litigation
Adviser

Takashi SUGA

Takashi SUGA, born in 1966, obtained an MS in Material Physics from Osaka University. The targets of his research include Magnetism and Super-Conductivity. His specialty covers Electricity, Mechanics and Physics. He is presently a member of JPAA.

Now, I have a post at Hiroshima office.
A product is evaluated, for example, from the viewpoint of its usability, good design, or attractive brand name, and creation of such intellectual property as usability, good design or brand name can be a source to produce a business opportunity. However, if such created intellectual property is copied by another person with ease, the business opportunity will come to nothing.
I believe my duty is to preserve an important business opportunity of our client in Chugoku region securely and lastingly through my daily works with my geographical advantage of my hometown Hiroshima.

Secretariat and Administration Department PCT Applications Department Manager
Office Manager / IP Manager
Patent&Trademark Attorney

Yasuo NISHIYAMA

Yasuo NISHIYAMA graduated from the Law Department
(liberal arts) of Ritsumeikan University. His specialty covers Intellectual Property Law. He is presently a member of JPAA.

When I was a university student, I got interested in intellectual property rights through a study for the Customs Broker exam, and decided to be a Patent Attorney. After passing the Patent Attorney exam, I have brushed up my English for patent practice and have learned basic laws to have the legal mind. Further increasing my knowledge of patent practice and laws, I'd like to offer best services to our clients.