Patent Case Law and Intellectual Property Practice Blog

日本語版 / Japanese version Article information Type: Case note Classification: Patents Topics: Claim interpretation First published on this site: 2023-12-19 Case number: Heisei 30 (Gyo-Ke) 10146 Display and classification checked: 2026-11-14 Heisei 30 (Gyo-Ke) 10146 [Pachinko Machine] <Otaka> * ‘A predetermined number of game balls’ was construed as multiple balls ⇒ No effect on the outcome ‘The claimed invention (claim 2) and the invention in claim 1 ... differ only in confi

日本語版 / Japanese version Article information Type: Case note Classification: Patents Topics: Added matter, Examination and appeal practice First published on this site: 2023-12-19 Case number: Reiwa 3 (Gyo-Ke) 10097 Display and classification checked: 2026-11-14 Reiwa 3 (Gyo-Ke) 10097 [Golf Swing Monitoring System] <Otaka> * General principles for amendments increasing the number of claims An amendment increasing the number of claims is itself permitted ‘if a new post-amendm

日本語版 / Japanese version Article information Type: Case note Classification: Trademarks Topics: Similarity of trademarks First published on this site: 2023-12-16 Case number: Heisei 28 (Gyo-Ke) 10164 Display and classification checked: 2026-11-14 [Trademark] Heisei 28 (Gyo-Ke) 10164 Trademark at issue: Genkotsu Menchi Cited mark: Genkotsu ⇒ Dissimilar; cannot be separated. The word menchi is not particularly widespread as a noun meaning menchi-katsu (minced-meat cutlet).

日本語版 / Japanese version Article information Type: Case note Classification: Trademarks Topics: Trademark infringement, Licensing First published on this site: 2023-12-15 Case number: Reiwa 4 (Wa) 18610 Display and classification checked: 2026-11-14 [Trademark] Tokyo District Court, Reiwa 4 (Wa) 18610 <Kokubu> Sales by the bankrupt company (Onkyo) after expiration of the agreed six-month period following termination of the license agreement during which it could use the trade

日本語版 / Japanese version Article information Type: Case note Classification: Patents Topics: Damages First published on this site: 2023-12-14 Case number: Heisei 15 (Wa) 19926 Display and classification checked: 2026-11-14 Tokyo District Court, Heisei 15 (Wa) 19926 [Coagulant Composition for Tofu] <Damages> Article 102(1) JPY 152.29 million awarded <Circumstances rebutting the presumption> Proviso to Article 102(1): none ⇒ In light of the rapidly expanding demand for emulsi

日本語版 / Japanese version Article information Type: Case note Classification: Patents Topics: Damages First published on this site: 2023-12-13 Case number: Heisei 19 (Wa) 13513 Display and classification checked: 2026-11-14 Osaka District Court, Heisei 19 (Wa) 13513 [X-Ray Foreign-Matter Inspection Apparatus] <Damages> Article 102(2) JPY 371.50 million awarded Contribution rate 20% (80% rebutted) (1) An important function for maintainability, but an ancillary function. (2)

日本語版 / Japanese version Article information Type: Case note Classification: Patents Topics: Damages First published on this site: 2023-12-13 Case number: Heisei 20 (Wa) 2944 Display and classification checked: 2026-11-14 Tokyo District Court, Heisei 20 (Wa) 2944 [Normally Closed Flow-Control Valve]<Damages> Article 102(2) JPY 396.20 million awarded Contribution rate 40% (60% rebutted) <Grounds for rebutting the presumption> Alternative technology: pressure-type control de

日本語版 / Japanese version Article information Type: Case note Classification: Patents Topics: Damages First published on this site: 2023-12-11 Case number: Heisei 22 (Ne) 10091 Display and classification checked: 2026-11-14 Heisei 22 (Ne) 10091 [Treatment Agent for Immobilizing ... Heavy Metals in Fly Ash] <Damages> Articles 102(1) and 102(3) JPY 1.8 billion awarded Circumstances preventing sales during part of the period ⇒ Details unknown (Article 102(3): Period 1, before s

日本語版 / Japanese version Article information Type: Case note Classification: Trademarks Topics: Similarity of trademarks First published on this site: 2023-12-09 Case number: Reiwa 5 (Gyo-Ke) 10063 Display and classification checked: 2026-11-14 [Trademark] Reiwa 5 (Gyo-Ke) 10063 <Miyasaka>, the VENTURE case — Composite marks Separation is permitted ‘... (1) ... (2) ... (3) where, in light of the appearance, etc. of the trademark, the mark as a whole has little structural unit

日本語版 / Japanese version Article information Type: Case note Classification: Patents Topics: Damages First published on this site: 2023-12-09 Case number: Heisei 23 (Ne) 10002 Display and classification checked: 2026-11-14 Heisei 23 (Ne) 10002 [Rice Cake] <Iimura> <Damages> Article 102(2) JPY 800 million awarded Contribution rate 15% (85% rebutted) <Contribution rate> (1) Significance of the invention (appearance of grilled rice cakes and prevention of swelling) (2) Adver