Trademarks
Your name, image, products, and services are among the most important assets for maintaining and growing your business. To effectively leverage these assets, having identifiable and unique marks or brands is extremely valuable.
Trademarks are a type of intellectual property (IP) asset that serve as commercial identifiers, distinguishing your company, products, or services from others. These identifiers not only help to highlight your brand but also make names and logos easily recognizable.
In an era where images and other content can be easily copied or downloaded online, registering and protecting trademarks is more important than ever. Trademark protection ensures brand consistency and helps prevent market confusion by prohibiting others from using the same or similar trademarks for closely related products or services. In Japan, trademark rights are acquired after completing the registration process with the Japan Patent Office (JPO). Under these trademark rights, you can ensure exclusive use of your trademark and take action against infringers, including seeking injunctions and damages.
We provide expert advice and assistance for companies seeking help with trademark registration and trademark infringement. From the initial registration process to handling complex infringement cases, our dedicated attorneys are equipped to support your business every step of the way.
When to Hire a Trademark Attorney
Understanding when to seek the expertise of a trademark attorney is critical to protecting your brand. There are several situations where our services are essential:
Pre-registration Investigation
Before registering a business name, logo, phrase, or product as a trademark, it is crucial to ensure it does not infringe on existing trademarks. We conduct thorough investigations to secure safe usage.
Trademark Application
The process of obtaining a trademark is complex, and not all applications are approved. By engaging experienced attorneys, the likelihood of success is significantly increased.
Suspected Trademark Infringement
If you believe someone is infringing on your trademark, we assist in formulating effective legal strategies. In cases of unauthorized use of logos or phrases, our firm will initiate litigation on your behalf as your representative.
We promise to provide top-tier consultation and representation in all IP matters, including trademark registration and trademark infringement.
Copyrights
Even if you are not aware of it, the moment you create a work, it is automatically protected by copyright law. Copyright law aims to promote creativity by protecting original works of literary, artistic, or graphic expression. Holding copyright grants you exclusive control over how your work is used, allowing you to prevent unauthorized use by third parties.
However, others may not always recognize your ownership of the work or give you proper credit. To enhance the protection provided by copyright law, proactive measures can be taken. We support you by ensuring the proper use of copyright notices, negotiating licenses, and, if necessary, handling litigation.
Copyright Registration in Japan
Copyright automatically arises at the moment of creation, requiring no formal procedures for its acquisition. The registration system under the Japanese Copyright Act is not for obtaining rights, but registering your copyright can offer significant benefits. It can publicly record the date of the first publication of your work and ensure the security of transactions when copyright is transferred. Consequently, registration provides important legal advantages. We offer assistance in registering your copyright in Japan.
While the basic concepts of copyright protection may seem relatively straightforward, various questions frequently arise. For example, how much difference is needed to avoid infringing on someone else’s copyright? We answer these and other questions. Please feel free to contact us for support in protecting your intellectual creations.