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Introduction

The Firm

SHUSAKU YAMAMOTO is one of the largest and most highly regarded one-stop solution intellectual property, technology and related commercial law firms with integrated on-the-ground intellectual property, litigation, health regulatory, IT, technology and commercial practice capabilities in Japan and around the world with our existing network of leading foreign legal practices.

The Firm was established on September 20, 1979 by Founder-Owner, SHUSAKU YAMAMOTO. We now have over 170 members comprising patent attorneys, attorneys, patent technology specialists, paralegals, assistants, translators and secretaries. The Firm's Offices are in Osaka, Tokyo & Fukuoka.

We provide a one-stop seamless intellectual property, technology, regulatory and commercial legal services including intellectual property prosecution, litigation, appellate, health regulatory, technology contracts and licensing and other IP-related commercial matters, advising on all types of contentious and non-contentious matters, including licensing, merchandising and transactional, patent, trademark, design, utility models, copyright, unfair competition, trade secrets, technology licensing & contracts, transfer, research and technology collaboration and counseling services.

We are proud of our services. The quality and experience of our Firm's professionals are unparalleled. Our staff comprising of patent attorneys, attorneys-at-law, highly qualified patent technology specialists (many with advanced Doctorate & Master's degrees from the world's leading universities) in such fields as biochemistry, chemistry, electrical engineering, physics, computer science, mechanical engineering and life sciences, as well as experienced paralegals, highly qualified secretaries (university graduates) & credentialed associates.

Our proven dedication and attention to detail makes YAMAMOTO synonymous with speed & quality service for Japanese & global intellectual property, technology and commercial-related legal matters.

This is unsurpassed by other IP, Technology and Commercial Law firms practicing in our field of expertise.

Our Practice

At SHUSAKU YAMAMOTO, we strive to provide the best client representation through our experience, technological competence, appreciation of client needs, clear and open communication, and an unmatched command of the vital role played by a comprehensive IP protection and enforcement strategy. We are committed to comprehending our clients products, processes and services in the context of their industries.

In addition, the ability, training and experience of our professional staff enables us to design and implement IP, Technology & Commercial Legal-related strategies to protect innovation essential to the health of those businesses. Our major Practice Areas include:

Intellectual Property


Appellate + Supreme CourtAcademic Research
IP Due DiligenceAerospace/Defense
IP Licensing + Technology TransactionsChemicals
Patent Counseling + ProsecutionCleantech
Patent LitigationConsumer Products
Patent InvalidationsElectrical/Computer
Technology TransferTechnology
Trade SecretsEnergy
TrademarksInternet
Utility Models & DesignsLife Sciences
Unfair CompetitionManufacturing
University Intellectual PropertyMedical Devices
Copyright & EntertainmentNanotechnology
Financial/Business ServicesNew Media and Entertainment
Franchise & LicensingTelecommunications
Transportation

Regulatory – Healthcare, Food & Consumer


Accreditation, Licensing and CertificationHealth Care Compliance/Regulatory Counseling
AntitrustLife cycle management
Advertising & LabelingPharmaceutical Affairs, generics
Clinical Trials, PDMA and ResearchMergers, Acquisitions
ContractingPrivacy and Security/Compliance
Corporate GovernanceProduct liability
Due DiligenceReimbursement
Fraud and AbuseRegulatory due diligence
Government InvestigationsTax-Exempt Organization Issues
Litigation

We counsel and advise on all regulatory issues affecting the research, testing, approval, post-approval compliance, pricing, advertising and correction, withdrawal or recall of drugs, food and beverage products, cosmetics, consumer products, nutritional products, and medical devices/diagnostics products in Japan.

Anti-Monopoly & Antitrust

Anti-Monopoly & Antitrust analysis, consultation with the Japan Fair Trade Commission for prior clearance, anti-monopoly filings in Japan Investigation by competition authorities, leniency program advice, and advice on and representation in administrative proceedings, civil actions and criminal actions

Advice in relation to business matters (e.g., business policies such as pricing/distribution, contracts, activities of trade associations and prior consultation with the Japan Fair Trade Commission)

Compliance (e.g., compliance programs, seminars and legal audits)

Technology, media & telecoms

Technology contracts, including hardware and software supply, design, build and operate, turnkey, O&M, systems integration and outsourcing and offshoring contracts.
Outsourcing
Cloud computing
Public sector procurement
Digital media & computer games

Media (print, broadcast and digital); sport; internet; litigation; intellectual property; public policy; regulation, publishing, libel, defamation
Entertainment, Marketing, Advertising
Privacy, data protection – (confidentiality, bank secrecy, regulatory restrictions on outsourcing of data processing, record retention requirements, privilege)
Database protection

Telecommunications - fixed line, mobile, cable, satellite and other infrastructure services, as well as ISPs and data network operators

Dispute Resolution & Litigation

Technology disputes related to licenses, development agreements, intellectual property, online contracting, internet copyright, source-code appropriation, digital trademarks, domain names, online defamation, products liability, privacy, non-competition, fiduciary duties and other obligations as they relate to the technology and media industries.

Complex Technology disputes - outsourcing disputes, excess use claims, database licensing, breaches of service level agreements and contracts to supply IT equipment or services and the eviction of cyber squatters. On-line defamation issues.

Environmental regulatory litigation, environmental planning and international environmental law litigation.

Product liability, from pre-launch and product recalls through to defending claims. PL issues arising from drugs, electronic equipment and medical devices. Legal steps to avoid or minimize the impact of potential claims.

Clients

The Firms clientele spans the innovation spectrum, with a vibrant range of US, Japanese, European & Asian companies, bluechip Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, Nobel Prize winners, national governments, universities, research institutes, venture start-ups, and individual inventors. We conduct vigilant conflict checks.

Our patent prosecution practice comprises two broad practice areas: Biotech, Chemical & Life Sciences and Electronics, Computers & Mechanical. We are equally adept at handling multi-disciplinary cases that utilize technologies from different technical fields.

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