Intellectual Property

Iwata Godo has a very strong practice in intellectual property, including patents, utility models, design rights, trademarks, copyright and unfair competition. In addition, we are also particularly strong in matters in other fields which require knowledge and understanding of technology. Recent developments in technological innovation have been rapid, and research and development of new technologies is accelerating. Intellectual property, the result of research and development, is a management resource and a source of competitiveness. It is therefore of the utmost importance to formulate strategies to invest in and leverage intellectual property, to establish a framework for managing IP, and to make appropriate disclosures.

For a law firm to meet these challenges, it is necessary to have both the knowledge and experience of a traditional corporate advisory practice (e.g., company law, governance, disclosure) as well as the specialized knowledge and understanding of current technological developments, IP-related business strategy, IP policy and strategy on filing successful applications. In order to provide comprehensive service related to technology and IP management, we have established IGIP Iwata Godo Patent Attorneys Inc. in collaboration with Tsujimaru International Patent Office. We provide one-stop service with both specialized patent attorneys and attorneys with expertise in other fields.
  • Patents, Utility Models, Designs
  • Trademarks
  • Trade Secrets, Unfair Competition
  • Media, Entertainment, Copyright

Patents, Utility Models, Designs

We represent clients in a wide range of administrative procedures and litigation related to patents, utility models and designs, including issues related to infringement, employee inventions, and patent validity. We also collaborate with law firms in other countries to resolve disputes concerning infringement of patent rights in those countries.If a matter requires the technical knowledge of a patent attorney, such as the acquisition of industrial property rights or an opinion on infringement or validity, we work closely with a team of patent attorneys at IGIP Iwata Godo Patent Attorneys Inc. to ensure thorough representation. We also provide comprehensive consulting on the use of patents and other IP-related strategy.




In addition to IP application procedures, we advise on general policies on the acquisition of rights and development, IP valuations, and the IP and technical due diligence issues which arise in investments and M&A.




We have experts who can handle almost any IP-related issue that may arise. This allows us to provide one-stop service in complex matters requiring business judgment and an understanding of new technology.

Trademarks

Our service related to trademarks is not merely an administrative filing of applications for registration, but is rather a service to advise on and carry out the best way to make applications, taking into account the client's objectives in using and protecting the marks and designs. This includes advice on brand-related strategy. We also advise on the risks of leaving marks unregistered, taking into account the nature of the relevant marks and products.




In addition to our Japanese trademark practice, we handle "international registrations" under the Madrid Protocol in collaboration with the specialized IP attorneys of IGIP Iwata Godo Patent Attorneys Inc., and collaborate with our strong network of law firms in other countries to handle foreign applications and liaison with foreign government agencies.

Trade Secrets, Unfair Competition

Research results obtained through R&D constitute not only "inventions" under the Patent Act but also "technical information" under the Unfair Competition Prevention Act. A company must decide whether to protect its research results under the Patent Act, in which case the content of the patent application will be open to public scrutiny, or instead to keep the invention as a "trade secret" protected by the Unfair Competition Prevention Act and contracts. We advise our clients on which of these methods of protection should be used, as well as on measures to protect confidentiality. Our firm is very experienced in the warnings, negotiations and litigation relating to leaks of business secrets and managing the risk of leaks.

Media, Entertainment, Copyright

At Iwata Godo we work with advertising agencies, record companies, developers of anime and video games, TV broadcasters, and individual artists and authors in the drafting and review of contracts related to content production, investment, copyright, licensing and other issues. We also represent clients in disputes concerning defamation and unauthorized use of content.




There has recently been a rapid increase in the use of ChatGPT and other generative AI in new services seeking to improve operational efficiency. While generative AI greatly contributes to innovation there is often (depending on the data used and how the products are used) a risk of violating laws such as the Act on the Protection of Personal Information, as well as a risk of infringing third party rights. Depending on the type of generative AI, commercial use may be restricted or its use may be subject to restrictions under various terms and conditions of use. If services are provided in other countries, the laws and regulations of such countries must be taken into account.We also advise on the use of generative AI in collaboration with foreign law firms as necessary.

Publications Related to Intellectual Property

  • 202410

    Shiojima Natsumi authors a commentary on the SMEA's Guidelines and standard form contracts for intellectual property transactions (Shoji Homu Portal website)

    Author：
  • 202403

    Adachi Makoto authors a commentary on METI's model clause on the sharing of technical information related to cyberattacks (Shoji Homu Portal website)

    Author：
    ADACHI Makoto　
  • 202403

    Sekiguchi Akimasa authors a commentary on Agency for Cultural Affairs releases on AI-related copyright policy (Shoji Homu Portal website)

    Author：
    SEKIGUCHI Akimasa　
  • 202310

    Uenishi Takuya authors a commentary on the study group of the Prime Minister's Office on AI-related IP issues (Shoji Homu Portal website)

    Author：
    UENISHI Takuya　

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Lectures, Seminars and Conferences Related to Intellectual Property

  • 202510

    "Recent Notable Court Decisions in Chemistry & Biotechnology"

    Speaker： ISHIKAWA Hiroaki　

  • 202509

    "Intellectual Property and Economic Security"　　　　　　　

    Speaker： SEKIGUCHI Akimasa　

  • 202505

    Comprehensive Review Seminar on Intellectual Property Court Precedents from January to April 2025.

    Speaker： KUDO Ryohei　 SEKIGUCHI Akimasa　 ISHIKAWA Hiroaki　

  • 202412

    Kudo Ryohei gives a seminar at the Keidanren Kaikan for corporate directors and officers on "Building a Framework to Prevent Data Breaches"

    Speaker： KUDO Ryohei　

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News Related to Intellectual Property

  • 202604

    34 lawyers of our firm were recognized in The Best Lawyers in Japan 2027.

    34 of our lawyers were recognized in The Best Lawyers in Japan 2027.

    Best Lawyers
    ■ Antitrust / Competition Law
    TOJI Yoshihiro
    IZUMI Atsushi
    KARASAWA Akira
    ISHIKAWA Teppei

    ■ Banking and Finance Law
    TOJI Yoshihiro
    SAKAMOTO Tomoko
    MATSUDA Takao

    ■ Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
    MOTOMURA Takeshi

    ■ Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice
    YOSHIHARA Tomomichi
    YAMADA Kohei

    ■ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
    TAGO Shinya
    MOTOMURA Takeshi
    URANAKA Hirotaka

    ■ International Arbitration
    UENISHI Takuya

    ■ International Business Transactions
    MATSUDA Akira

    ■ Litigation
    WAKABAYASHI Shigeo
    TOJI Yoshihiro
    MOTOMURA Takeshi
    YOSHIHARA Tomomichi
    URANAKA Hirotaka
    UENISHI Takuya

    ■ Privacy and Data Security Law
    MATSUDA Akira
    BEPPU Fumiya

    ■ Tax Law
    MUTOU Yuuki

    ■ Telecommunications Law
    MATSUDA Akira


    Best Lawyers - "Ones to Watch"
    ■ Antitrust / Competition Law
    OKAMURA Yu
    MATSUHASHI Sho

    ■ Arbitration and Mediation
    NAKAMURA Saeko
    MIURA Takashi

    ■ Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
    SASAKI Tomoo
    ISHIKAWA Hiroaki
    OKAMURA Yu
    SUZUKI Tomohiro
    FUKATSU Haruno
    FUKUCHI Takumi
    KITAGAWA Hiroki
    TOYOOKA Hiroto
    MATSUHASHI Sho

    ■ Financial Institution Regulatory Law
    KANEKI Nobuyuki

    ■ Information Technology Law
    FUJINAMI Tomonori
    ADACHI Makoto

    ■ Intellectual Property Law (Non-Patent)
    ISHIKAWA Hiroaki

    ■ Labor and Employment Law
    NAKAMURA Saeko
    KITAGAWA Hiroki

    ■ Litigation
    ITO Natsuho
    ICHIKAWA Kazuki

    ■ Privacy and Data Security Law
    HORITA Koji

    ■ Private Equity, Private Funds and Venture Capital Law
    KUNIMOTO Kazuki

  • 202504

    22 lawyers of our firm were recognized in The Best Lawyers in Japan 2026.

    22 of our lawyers were recognized in The Best Lawyers in Japan 2026.

    Best Lawyers
    ■ Antitrust / Competition Law
    TOJI Yoshihiro
    IZUMI Atsushi

    ■ Banking and Finance Law
    TOJI Yoshihiro
    SAKAMOTO Tomoko
    MATSUDA Takao

    ■ Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
    MOTOMURA Takeshi

    ■ Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice
    YOSHIHARA Tomomichi

    ■ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
    TAGO Shinya
    MOTOMURA Takeshi
    URANAKA Hirotaka

    ■ Labor and Employment Law
    TAGO Shinya

    ■ Litigation
    TOJI Yoshihiro
    WAKABAYASHI Shigeo
    MOTOMURA Takeshi
    YOSHIHARA Tomomichi
    URANAKA Hirotaka

    ■ Tax Law
    MUTOU Yuuki


    Best Lawyers - "Ones to Watch"
    ■ Antitrust / Competition Law
    OKAMURA Yu
    MATSUHASHI Sho

    ■ Arbitration and Mediation
    NAKAMURA Saeko
    MIURA Takashi

    ■ Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
    OKAMURA Yu
    SASAKI Tomoo
    FUKATSU Haruno
    FUKUCHI Takumi
    KITAGAWA Hiroki
    TOYOOKA Hiroto
    MATSUHASHI Sho

    ■ Information Technology Law
    ADACHI Makoto

    ■ Intellectual Property Law (Non-Patent)
    ISHIKAWA Hiroaki

    ■ Labor and Employment Law
    NAKAMURA Saeko
    KITAGAWA Hiroki

    ■ Privacy and Data Security Law
    HORITA Koji

  • 202404

    20 lawyers of our firm were recognized in The Best Lawyers in Japan 2025.

    Best Lawyers
    ■ Antitrust / Competition Law
    TOJI Yoshihiro

    ■ Arbitration and Mediation
    UEDA Atsushi

    ■ Banking and Finance Law
    TOJI Yoshihiro
    SAKAMOTO Tomoko
    MATSUDA Takao

    ■ Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
    MOTOMURA Takeshi

    ■ Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice
    YOSHIHARA Tomomichi

    ■ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
    TAGO Shinya
    MOTOMURA Takeshi
    URANAKA Hirotaka

    ■ Labor and Employment Law
    TAGO Shinya

    ■ Litigation
    TOJI Yoshihiro
    WAKABAYASHI Shigeo
    MOTOMURA Takeshi
    YOSHIHARA Tomomichi
    URANAKA Hirotaka


    Best Lawyers - "Ones to Watch"
    ■ Antitrust / Competition Law
    ISHIKAWA Teppei

    ■ Arbitration and Mediation
    SAITO Hiroki
    NAKAMURA Saeko

    ■ Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
    KARASAWA Akira
    IKEDA Minako
    YAMADA Kohei
    SUZUKI Tomohiro
    FUKUCHI Takumi

    ■ Information Technology Law
    SAITO Hiroki

    ■ Intellectual Property Law (Non-Patent)
    ISHIKAWA Hiroaki

    ■ Labor and Employment Law
    KITAGAWA Hiroki

    ■ Privacy and Data Security Law
    HORITA Koji

  • 202307

    A special feature of IGIP Iwata Godo Patent Attorneys Inc. and Iwata Godo titled "Intellectual Property Management Strategy" was published in the July 3 issue of Nikkei Business

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