Our Policy
The firm of Sonoda & Kobayashi was established in 1998 with the specific goal of achieving a new type of intellectual property law office with a more global outlook. Since then, it has quickly developed to achieve an international reputation as one of the most reliable intellectual property firms in Japan.Our primary concern is to reduce the difficulties which are all too often encountered by companies in the process of applying for, obtaining and maintaining intellectual property rights in Japan.
We believe such difficulties can only be overcome by a thorough knowledge not only of laws and technologies at a worldwide level, but also an understanding of cultural and linguistic differences which can be a barrier to full communication. Sonoda Kobayashi's unique combination of professional expertise and cosmopolitan awareness provides the advantage necessary to carry out its commitment to offering clients the highest possible quality of services.
NEWS
| 15/July/2011 | SCOJ Decision on Patent Term Extensions Supreme Court of Japan rejected the appeal from the IP High Court and ruled that a patent term can be exteded by the second approval even if the active ingredient, efficacy and effects are the same betweem the first and the second approved products if the first approved product does not fall in the scope of the patent to be extended by the second approval. | |
| 15/July/2011 | Change in JPO Examination Fees The JPO has recently announced a reduction in examination fees on patent applications for which a Request for Examination is filed on or after August 1, 2011. | |
| 13/June/2011 | Supreme Court's ruling on Patent Term Extension In the dispute whether or not a patent term can be extended based on a second regulatory allowance given to the same active ingredient, the Supreme Court of Japan cancelled the rejection by the Japan Patent Office and ruled that a patent term can be exteded when the patent for which an extension is requested was not extendable by the preceding regulatory allowance even if the active ingredinets are the same. | |
| 7/Sep/2009 | Controversy over Patent Term Extensions in Japan. Sonoda & Kobayashi is pleased to present its Newsletter: IP NEWS in JAPAN. The September edition features six Japanese Ip High Court decisions, relating to patent term extensions. | |
| 1/Jul/2009 | Notice to our colleagues to avoid any confusion : ‚` recently set up Firm called S&K IP is a completely independent from, and has absolutely no affiliation or association with Sonoda & Kobayashi. Please find detailed information in the PDF document. | |
| 23/Mar/2009 | Schedule of Official Fees 2009 (PDF) | |