Intellectual Property lawyers in Tokyo (AS)

Intellectual property lawyers in Tokyo typically offer these services:

• Patent application preparation and prosecution before the Japan Patent Office
• Trademark registration and renewal
• IP litigation in Tokyo District Court
• Technology licensing agreements
• Prior art searches and freedom-to-operate analyses
• IP portfolio management
• Anti-counterfeiting measures and customs enforcement

Many firms in Shibuya and Marunouchi districts also provide international filing services through PCT and Paris Convention routes.

The Japan Patent Office (JPO) is located in the Kasumigaseki district of Tokyo, specifically at 3-4-3 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8915, Japan. This central Tokyo location places the JPO near other government ministries and the Tokyo District Court. Patent attorneys from firms across Tokyo regularly visit the JPO to file applications and attend interviews with patent examiners.

The cost of hiring a patent attorney in Tokyo varies based on several factors:

1. Application complexity and technical field
2. Attorney experience level
3. Filing type (domestic JPO application vs. international PCT filing)
4. Translation requirements for non-Japanese documents

Basic patent applications typically start at ¥500,000 ($3,500-4,500), while trademark registrations generally range from ¥150,000-300,000 ($1,000-2,000). Most Tokyo patent attorneys charge hourly rates between ¥30,000-60,000 ($200-400) for consultation services. Using intellectual-property.org’s quote system allows companies to compare rates from multiple Tokyo firms.

Foreign companies need trademark registration in Tokyo because Japan follows a first-to-file system, meaning whoever registers a trademark first gains legal rights regardless of prior use. Without registration through the Japan Patent Office, foreign brands face several risks in the Japanese market:

• Trademark squatting by third parties
• Inability to enforce brand rights against counterfeiters
• Complications when expanding distribution in Tokyo and other Japanese cities
• Barriers to taking legal action in Tokyo District Court

Registration provides exclusive rights to use the mark in Japan and serves as the basis for customs enforcement against counterfeit imports.

The districts in Tokyo with the highest concentration of IP law firms are:

1. Chiyoda-ku – Houses many established firms near the Japan Patent Office and government offices
2. Minato-ku – Popular location for international IP firms, especially in Akasaka and Toranomon areas
3. Shibuya – Growing hub for IP firms serving technology and creative industries
4. Marunouchi – Financial district with large IP firms serving corporate clients
5. Shinjuku – Home to several mid-sized patent and trademark practices

These locations offer strategic proximity to the Japan Patent Office, Tokyo District Court, and major corporate clients with intellectual property needs.

When working with a Tokyo-based patent lawyer on a PCT application, the process typically follows these steps:

1. Initial consultation in Tokyo to assess patentability of the invention
2. Drafting the application in Japanese or English, depending on your needs
3. Filing the PCT application with the Japan Patent Office acting as Receiving Office
4. Receiving the International Search Report, typically from the JPO as a searching authority
5. Making decisions about which countries to enter during the national phase
6. Managing translations and requirements for each target country

Tokyo patent lawyers handle over 250 PCT filings annually and maintain networks with associate firms worldwide to manage the national phase entries. This process provides 30 months from priority date to decide which countries require protection.