President & Patent Attorney
Masayuki Shobayashi
President of Shobayashi International Patent & Trademark Office

Education

Tokyo University of Science; B.S., Chemistry

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
Vice President elect of Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
Chairman, Editorial Board, 'Patent'

Expertise

Trademark, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Biochemical

Profile

SHOBAYASHI Masayuki is the founder and President of 'Shobayashi International Patent and Trademark Office'. He has extensive experience in patent, trademark and design law, which is evident in his abundant publications on intellectual property related issues. Moreover, he is dedicated to the development and protection of chemical patent portfolios, and he works closely with clients in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications specializing in chemical, pharmaceutical, and biochemical fields.

Publications

• Understanding a Patent Attorney's Work - Hougakushoin Publishing Company, 2006
• Classroom for Legal Precedents in Intellectual Property Law - Hougakushoin Publishing Company, 2005
• "Exercises in Problem Solving," the Quickest Way to Pass the Exam and Become a Patent Attorney - Chukei Publishing Company, 2004

Partner Patent Attorney
Kazuyoshi Hayashi

Education

Yokohama National University; M.S., Material Science
Yokohama National University; B.S., Applied Chemistry

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

Polymers, Food Products

Profile

HAYASHI Kazuyoshi heads the Chemical Division at Shobayashi International, and he has handled hundreds of chemical applications for numerous commercial and academic clients in fields such as food products, household products, and the automotive industry. Additionally, he specializes in patents related to his R&D experience in polymers, packaging materials, thin films, and food products.

Partner Patent Attorney
Fumihiko Yagisawa

Education

Hitotsubashi University; B.L., Law

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
Certified Specific Infringement Litigation Representative

Expertise

Trademark

Profile

YAGISAWA Fumihiko handles intellectual property issues in many fields including software and communication technologies. He specializes in trademark and patent infringement matters.

Of Counsel Patent Attorney & Retired JPO Examiner
Yoshikazu Inokuchi

Education

Kagoshima University; B.S., Biochemistry

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

INOKUCHI Yoshikazu acts as counsel for Shobayashi International. He previously served for over 35 years as a patent examiner at the Japan Patent Office in the fields of chemistry and biotechnology; though he now focuses on patent prosecution for complex technology, IP counseling, as well as IP strategy formation, opinions, and licensing.

Previous experience

Notable trials:

• Tokyo High Court Decision 1996, Heisei 8 (ke), No. 170 (Litigation against Decision of Rejection for studless tire by Bridgestone)
• Tokyo High Court Decision 2000, Heisei 12 (ke), No. 376 (Litigation against Decision of Rejection for printed circuit board by Hitachi Chemical)
• Tokyo High Court Decision 2000, Heisei 12 (ke), No. 81 (Litigation against Decision of Invalidation Trial for car washing method)
• Tokyo High Court Decision 2001, Heisei 13 (ke), No. 359 (Litigation against Decision of Rejection for electrostatic chuck by NGK Insulators)

Patent Attorney
Hisato Kuroiwa

Education

The University of Tokyo; M.S., Electronics
Information (Electrical Engineering)
The University of Tokyo; B.S., Architecture

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

KUROIWA Hisato specializes in the fields of Mechanical, Electro-mechanical, and Electrical systems.

Patent Attorney
Ryotaro Sato

Education

Nagaoka University of Technology; M.S., Mechanical Engineering
Nagaoka University of Technology; B.S., Creative Design Engineering

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

SATO Ryotaro is a specialist in Mechanical systems.

Patent Attorney
Takashi Onodera

Education

Soka University of Law; LL.B., Law

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
Copyright Committee of the JPAA (Board Member)
Japan Trademark Associate (JP-TA)

Expertise

ONODERA Takashi specializes in Trademark law.

Patent Attorney
Yuichi Niiyama

Education

The University of Tokyo; M.S., Agricultural Science
The University of Tokyo; B.S., Agricultural Science

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

NIIYAMA Yuichi is an expert in the fields of Biochemistry, Biotechnology, and Genetic Engineering.

Patent Attorney
Takeo Sonobe

Education

Tokyo Institute of Technology; B.S., Electrical Engineering

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan
The Institute of Electronics, Information, and Communication Engineers
Licensed Electrical Engineer

Expertise

SONOBE Takeo is an expert in the fields of Electronics, Computers, and Software.

Patent Attorney
Takeshi Sato

Education

Toyo University; B.S., Architectural Science

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
Licensed Architect

Expertise

SATO Takeshi specializes in Mechanics and Software.

Patent Attorney
Kosuke Suzuki

Education

The University of Tokyo; M.S., Medicine
Tokyo University of Science; B.S., Bioengineering

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
Associate Professional Engineer (Biotechnology)

Expertise

SUZUKI Kosuke specializes in Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, and Software.

Patent Attorney
Eiji Nishina

Education

Tokyo University of Education; B.S., Applied Physics

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

NISHINA Eiji is a Software expert.

Patent Attorney
Toshiya Shindou

Education

Keio University; B.S., Computer Science

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

SHINODOU Toshiya specializes in Software and Gaming Machines.

Patent Attorney
Shunsuke Shimizu

Education

Keio University; B.S., Environmental Science

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

SHIMIZU Shunsuke specializes in Software and Gaming Machines.

Patent Attorney
Daisuke Ishii

Education

Gunma University; M.S., Applied Chemistry
Gunma University; B.S., Applied Chemistry

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

ISHII Daisuke is an expert in Chemistry.

Patent Attorney
Hiroki Kishitake

Education

The University of Tokyo; B.S., Pharmacology

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
Licensed Pharmacist

Expertise

KISHITAKE Hiroki is an expert in Biochemistry and Biotechnology.

Patent Attorney
Soukichi Ogura

Education

Nihon University; B.L., Law

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

OGURA Soukichi is an expert in Trademark law.

Patent Attorney
Koji Watanabe

Education

The University of Tokyo; M.S., Biochemistry
The University of Tokyo; B.S., Biochemistry

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

WATANABE Koji specializes in Chemistry and Biotechnology.

Patent Attorney
Ryuta Kato

Education

Nagoya University; M.S., Environmental Science
Nagoya University; B.S., Agricultural Chemistry

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

KATO Ryuta is an expert in the field of Chemistry.

Patent Attorney
Shoko Murao

Education

Kinki University; M.S., Agricultural Chemistry
Kinki University; B.S., Food and Nutrition

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
Registered customs specialist

Expertise

MURAO Shoko is a specialist in the fields of Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, and Food Sciences.

Patent Attorney
Mitsuru Iwaike

Education

Chuo University; M.S., Precision Engineering
Chuo University; B.S., Precision Mechanical Engineering

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

IWAIKE Mitsuru in an expert in Mechanical law.

Patent Attorney
Toshiyuki Inui

Education

Meiji University; B.S., Precision Engineering

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

INUI Toshiyuki is a specialist in the fields of Machines,
Control Systems, Electronic Equipment and Foodstuffs.

Patent Attorney
Youhei Kuri

Education

University of Hyogo; M.S., Material Science
Himeji Institute of Technology; B.S., Material Science

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

KURI Youhei is an expert in Organic Chemistry.

Patent Attorney
Toshihide Ishihara

Education

Tokyo Institute of Technology; B.S., Applied Chemistry,
Chemical Engineering Department, School of Engineering

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Expertise

ISHIHARA Toshihide is an expert in Organic Chemistry.

Patent Attorney
Masao Suzuki

Education

Yokohama City University; B.S., Mathematics, Department of Literature and Science

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Supplementary Registration as a Representative for Special Infringement Actions

Japan Patent Attorneys Association, Executive Committee Member of the Board for the Promotion of Industrial Competitiveness (2008)

Expertise

SUZUKI Masao is a specialist in the fields of Computer Software, IT Services, Semiconductors, Copyrights and Intellectual Property Consulting through HCM/ICM (Human Capital Management/Intellectual Capital Management).

Patent Attorney
Kazuo Aoki

Education

Musashi Institute of Technology; B.S., Mechanical Engineering

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Experience at Japan Patent Office

Patent Examination Department:
  Examination in the Fields of Measurement, Surveying, Investigation, and Business Machinery (Printing Press etc.).

Appeals Department:
  Appeals and Proceedings in the Fields of Measurement, Optical Devices, Display Devices, and Electronic Games.

Patent Attorney
Shinya Maeda

Education

Saitama University; B.S., Applied Chemistry, Engineering Department
Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University; M.S., Applied Chemistry

Affiliations

Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
The Chemical Society of Japan

Expertise

MAEDA Shinya is a specialist in the fields of Organic Chemistry and Print Technology.