Organization
SAEGUSA & Partners and the Saegusa Intellectual Property Research Institute work together in close cooperation. SAEGUSA presently consists of more than 150 dedicated professionals, including almost 40 patent attorneys; among these are fifteen partner patent attorneys with extensive experience. The patent attorneys at SAEGUSA & Partners hold positions of leadership in our Chemical and Biotechnology Department, Mechanical and Electrical Department, Trademark and Design Department, IP Legal Department, IP Information Research Department and Translation Department.
SAEGUSA & PARTNERS
Since our foundation in 1946, Saegusa specialists in the fields of chemistry, biotechnology, machinery, electronics, trademarks, and designs have shared information on legal systems and case law in Japan and abroad; and, based on our key concepts of accuracy, speed, and integrity, worked toward continuous improvement.
Priority is given to doing our best for our clients.
Chemical and Biotechnology Department
This is the firm’s longest-established department. The Chemical and Biotechnology Department can handle a broad range of technical fields, such as organic chemistry, resins and polymers, inorganic chemistry, metals, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, foods, and cosmetics.
This department’s work includes patent right acquisition procedures, as well as invalidation trials and litigation (for rescinding trial decisions and for infringement); additionally, the Chemical and Biotechnology Department has extensive experience and a proven track record in providing expert opinions. In particular, many of the procedures the department performs for the acquisition of patent rights are for Japanese clients filing applications abroad, in nearly the same number as Japanese clients filing applications in Japan. In addition to areas such as the U.S., the European Union, China, and Korea, the department is highly experienced in filing applications in other regions, including Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania. Additionally, the department handles numerous cases for overseas clients filing applications in Japan.
Mechanical and Electrical Department
This department handles, in Japan and abroad, patent and utility model applications in a wide range of electrical- and electronics-related fields, including communications and computers, as well as in the fields of machinery, architecture, and civil engineering. The Mechanical and Electrical Department also specializes in the fields of data processing, digital signal processing, Internet-related technologies, and software. While covering a wide range of technological fields, they accurately handle the complex structures and circuits associated with those fields.
In addition, like the Chemical and Biotechnology Department, the Mechanical and Electrical Department handles numerous cases for overseas clients filing applications in Japan.
Trademark and Design Department
This department handles a wide range of trademark and design applications both in Japan and abroad. The Trademark and Design Department assists in filing many applications in Asian countries such as China, Korea, and India, as well as in countries such as the US, Brazil, and Russia.
This department also handles trademark- and design-related assignments, license negotiations, and contract drafting, as well as work related to unfair competition and copyrights. In order to ensure that clients’ rights abroad are effectively secured and utilized, they conduct searches and negotiations in foreign countries, and assertively meet with the relevant authorities abroad. For designs, the department provides advice for strategic applications, taking into consideration the scope of rights. Drafting personnel with 3D CAD expertise also create drawings.
SAEGUSA Intellectual Property Research Institute (SIPRI)
The purpose of the Saegusa Intellectual Property Research Institute is to assist and enhance the work of the patent attorneys of Saegusa & Partners. In addition to management-related departments, SIPRI consists of the IP Information Research Department, the Case Law Research Department, the Translation Department, the Information Systems Department, and the IP Legal Department, all of which work in close cooperation with Saegusa & Partners.
IP Information Research Department
Divided into separate teams specializing in Japan (PCT), North and South America, Europe, and Asia, this department collects, organizes, and analyzes the most recent and important intellectual property information from these and other areas regarding patents, utility models, designs, trademarks, copyrights, and laws against unfair competition both in Japan and abroad. The most recent and important intellectual property information is shared within Saegusa & Partners, and sent to our clients as appropriate.
Case Law Research Department
Divided into teams dedicated to the fields of chemistry and biotechnology, machinery and electronics, and designs and trademarks, this department collects, organizes, and analyzes information on the most recent and important case law from these and other fields regarding patents, utility models, designs, trademarks, copyrights, and laws against unfair competition both in Japan and abroad. The most recent and important case law information is shared within Saegusa & Partners, and sent to our clients as appropriate.
Translation Department
This department of experienced translators includes graduates of U.S. universities and resident proofreaders who are native speakers of English, and provides translations in close cooperation with the technical specialists and patent attorneys of Saegusa & Partners.
Information Systems Department
This department serves to optimize companywide processes, through improvement and systemization based on consultation and analysis, to enable a fast and accurate workflow. In line with the diversification of digital data management, a patent management system (NaviOfficer) was introduced in 2010, thereby ensuring that work flows smoothly and securely. Contingency systems have also been established in the event of natural disasters and other unforeseen events; these systems include stabilizing the network environment, and mutual data backup of the Osaka and Tokyo Offices in order to enhance data maintenance and provide security against environmental effects.
IP Legal Department
This department provides filing- and rights acquisition-related legal consultation for patents, etc., both in Japan and abroad, such as for confidential agreements, material transfer agreements, joint research, licensing, and regulation and evaluation of employee inventions. The IP Legal Department also handles problems related to intellectual property rights, such as legal disputes and contract issues.