Service

Virtually all of our searches are handled in-house, to assure confidentiality to our clients. We employ state-of-the-art computers to link our office to the patent and trademark data distribution system, which provides quick and reliable access to documents published by the government. Our firm has access to the PATOLIS, DIALOG, G-Search, JOIS and BRANDY databases. The head of our computer search section, Mr. Shigeru Toyoshi , a certified searcher, handles all searches for our foreign clients.

Patent, design, utility model and trademark applications are the backbone of our firm. We believe we can provide faster, more efficient and better quality application services for our international clients than most other firms because we do virtually all of our translations in-house.

Our office is also equipped to file our applications electronically via the Japanese Patent Office's electronic filing system. This allows us to complete the application process and immediately report back to our clients with application numbers.

Again, our ability to quickly translate our foreign clients' amendments into Japanese, as well as our ability to translate office actions from Japanese quickly and concisely make our ability to deal with prosecution issues better than most Japanese firms.

Our firm is also equipped to make the annuity payments on patents, utility models and designs. We routinely notify our foreign clients well before the payment due date, and send reminders as necessary to avoid missing a payment.

Similarly, for trademark registrations we notify our clients before the renewal period begins, and will send reminders to insure that a registration is not accidentally allowed to lapse.

We believe our firm is unparalleled in fast response to our clients' inquiries. Typically, we respond within one day of receiving an inquiry from our clients. In some parts of Asia and Oceania we customarily respond to the morning's correspondence before the close of business that same day. You can reach us by mail, facsimile or e-mail. If you are able to telephone us during our usual working hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday), we welcome you to telephone us as well. Our receptionist will happily field your calls in English and direct you to the proper staff member.

We offer standard flat rate fees for services, to allow clients to plan their budgets for intellectual property protection. Our location in Gifu, one of the main industrial corridors of Japan, allows our firm to offer reasonable fees. Please see Information about Patent and Trademark Applications and Registration and Fee Schedule.