NAGATO & PARTNERS

Our firm was established on July 1, 1985. Since then, under our registered corporate mark "IDEA+", we have been devoting efforts to produce a plus value by adding our clients' wishes to their ideas (inventions & innovations). We have continued providing high quality services in obtaining and protecting IP rights in Japan and foreign countries and gained continued patronage and confidence from many clients.

We believe that the confidence that we have gained is based on the whole activities of our firm, not to mention the legal and technical ability of individuals.

Mr. Kanji NAGATO, M.S(c)., the President of NAGATO & PARTNERS and founder of the firm, finished his master's course in mechanical engineering at Kyoto University, and worked for many years as a R & D engineer at IHI Corporation (former Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.), the biggest aircraft gas-turbine engine maker in Japan. On account of this career of Mr. NAGATO, our firm has handled numerous patent applications in the fields of rotary machines, internal combustion engines, hydraulic equipments, burning appliances such as boilers and gasification plant, automatic control systems, machine tools, etc.

In prosecution for obtaining rights and litigation　concerning exercise of rights, thorough knowledge of the law, especially the Patent Law, the Civil Procedure Code, etc. is necessary. Moreover, what is most important for patent attorneys seems to be a full understanding of technical aspects of inventions in question and discussion with inventors/applicants about the protection of rights based on the technological background.

On such belief, we have enlarged our firm to a medium scale office, taking on capable staff familiar with the technical fields connected with mechanical engineering, in particular. According to clients' needs, however, our firm is gradually expanding its field of expertise by recruiting chartered attorneys and staff specializing in electricity/electronics, physical chemistry, trademark, and design patent.

We wish to continue meeting our clients' demands by providing high-quality technical/legal services in our fields of expertise.

Obtaining intellectual property rights such as patents/trademarks/design patents

Since the firm's foundation, N & P has handled a large number of foreign applications as well as domestic applications. In cooperation with a total of 106 firms in 38 countries, we undertake patent, design and trademark applications in foreign countries such as Russia, China and Korea, not to mention the USA and European countries(EPO).

We have also handled a large number of Japanese patent, design and trademark applications of foreign clients. In filing applications and in responding to Office Actions, N & P provides swift and appropriate comments and advice to applicants in a relatively short period, which has brought us high esteem and confidence.

Transfer of intellectual property rights/Licensing

In recent years, large-scale mergers and acquisitions are actively pursued, which sometimes necessitate registration of transfer of a large number of intellectual property rights. N & P provides safe and reliable services concerning transfer of rights, such as registration of transfer, at reasonable costs. N & P also negotiates or mediates negotiations for licensing.

Resolving conflicts concerning intellectual property rights

As there are possibilities that others may infringe intellectual property rights of clients or vice versa, prompt and appropriate actions are required. N & P provides expert opinions about whether the accused product/method is within the scope of the intellectual property rights, conducts prior-art search and demands invalidation/cancellation trials to invalidate/cancel the rights of others, negotiates with the others for seeking an amicable settlement, and cooperates with affiliated lawyers in litigation. In lawsuits concerning patents, etc. in Japan, it is highly recommended that patent attorneys who are familiar with technology and lawyers who are experts in court procedures should cooperate to settle disputes.

NAKAMOTO & PARTNERS

Kazuhiro NAKAMOTO,	Attorney at law
Tsuyoshi MIKI,	Attorney at law (admitted in Japan & New York)
Hiroe TOYOSHIMA,	Attorney at law (admitted in Japan & New York)

Access:	Takahashi Bldg. 7F, 5-9-3, Nishitemma, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 530-0047, Japan Tel: 81-6-6364-6241 Fax: 81-6-6364-6243 http://www.nk-law.gr.jp

TOKYO HIRAKAWA LAW OFFICE

Yusuke MATSUZAKA,	Attorney at law
Hideo OGURA,	Attorney at law

Access:	South Hill Nagatacho Bldg. 9F, 11-30, Nagatacho 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0014, Japan Tel: 81-3-3595-4160 Fax: 81-3-3595-4170 http://www.tokyo-hirakawa.gr.jp/

KASUMIGASEKI LAW AND ACCOUNTING OFFICES

Toshihide FURIHATA,	Attorney at law
Junichi ASAHI,	Attorney at law
Yoshihiro OHKI,	Certified Public Accountant

Access:	Nittochi Bldg. 4F, 4-1, Kasumigaseki 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0013, Japan Tel: 81-3-3519-8070 Fax: 81-3-3519-8077 http://www.ksm-lawacc.com/

YAMANA PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

Masahiko YAMANA,	Patent Attorney

Access:	4th Fl., Neo Kamiya Bldg., 10-11, Hacchobori 4-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0032, Japan Tel: 81-3-3553-0044 Fax: 81-3-3553-0043 http://homepage3.nifty.com/yamana-pat/

UBILAND INTELLCTUAL PROPERTIES OFFICE

Yuji HOSHINO,	Patent Attorney

Access:	8th Fl., Asanuma Dai-2 Bldg., 21-10, Hongo 3-chome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan Tel: 81-3-5842-6027 Fax: 81-3-5842-6047 http://www.ubiland.com/ip/