RECRUIT

Our firm is a close-knit group of professionals who communicate in multiple languages and advise clients in multi-cultural work situations. We are always looking for highly educated and motivated people to add to our diverse team of professionals.

If you are looking for a long-term professional engagement in Japan, please contact us.

Open positions – Sonderhoff & Einsel Law and Patent office

Sonderhoff & Einsel has open positions now.

Open positions – Sonderhoff & Einsel (Beijing)

Sonderhoff & Einsel (Beijing) has open positions now.
Please check here. (German page only)

We welcome a new associate to the firm, Mr. Eitaro Hidaka

We welcome a new associate to the firm, Mr. Yu Maruyama

We welcome a new associate to the firm, Mr. Wataru Hashizume

IP Practice: On May 14, 2021, the Diet passed a bill to partially amend the Patent Law and other related laws

“Q&A on the Amended Road Transportation Vehicle Act – Introduction of Vehicle Software Update Regulation”

S&E Attorneys at Law and Patent Attorneys included in THE BEST LAWYERS IN JAPAN (2022 EDITION)

Dorsey & Whitney organized an online seminar on March 18th, 2021, in which Mr. Felix Einsel spoke on the topic of “Challenging patents and patent applications in China, Japan and Europe/Germany.”

Patent Attorney Felix Einsel was appointed as a member of Standing Committee of AIPPI

ON FEBRUARY 17, 2021, PATENT ATTORNEYS FELIX EINSEL, MASAKO BARNARD AND HIROYUKI YAJIMA HELD AN ONLINE SEMINAR FOR VPP MITTE SÜD IN GERMANY

THE LEGAL 500 ASIA PACIFIC 2021

NOTICE: YEAR END HOLIDAY

2019 Amendments to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act and Their Impact on Companies

“Q&A on the Amended Road Transportation Vehicle Act – Introduction of Vehicle Software Update Regulation”

Publication of Amended Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act – Draft Guidelines Regarding Legal Compliance by MAH and Manufactures

Important Notice: Easing of Restrictions on Re-Entry to Japan for Foreign Nationals Due to COVID-19/Coronavirus

S&E Attorneys at Law and Patent Attorneys included in THE BEST LAWYERS IN JAPAN (2021 EDITION)

Employer’s Duty to Implement Measures to Prevent Workplace Power Harassment

We welcome a new senior associate to the firm, Ms. Makiko Watanabe

Response to the Lifting of the State of Emergency

An Introduction to the Annual Report from the Intellectual Property Court of the Supreme People’s Court (2019)

Effective Date of the Amended Foreign Exchange Act on Foreign Direct Investment, and Revisions of the Draft Regulations Based on the Results of Public Comments

Q&A on the Draft Cabinet Order, Ministerial Ordinance and Public Notice of the Amended Foreign Exchange Act Which Restricts Foreign Investment in Japan

Important Notice: JPO Measures for Procedures Affected by COVID-19, Announcement on April 17 and 21, 2020

Important Notice: JPO Measures for Procedures affected by COVID-19, Announcement on April 3, 2020

Important notice: Regarding denial of entry to Japan for foreign nationals due to COVID-19 (corona virus)

Important notice: Implementation of home office and deadlines at the Japanese Patent Office (COVID-19). How to contact Sonderhoff & Einsel

Provisions on Restoration of Patent-Related Rights Following the Pneumonia Epidemic Caused by the Novel Coronavirus in China

Zur Coronavirus-Krise – wir sind für Sie da!

Regarding the Coronavirus crisis – we are here for you!

Article written by Watanabe Naoki, one of our attorneys at law, published in the February 2020 issue of “Jiyu to Seigi” (Freedom and Justice), the bulletin of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.

On February 05, 2020, S&E held an EU Design Study Session titled, “Design Protection in Europe – a Strong IP Right”.

We Welcome a New Corporate and M&A Partner and Former Big Four Associate to the Firm

Upcoming revision of the Patent Act and the Design Act

On February 05, 2020, S&E will hold a Study Group on EU Design, titled, “Design Protection in Europe – a strong IP right”.

THE LEGAL 500 ASIA PACIFIC 2020

Notification of New Partners and Counsel

Notice: Year End Holiday

On November 06, 2019, S&E held an EU Life Science IP Study Session titled, “Patenting in the Field of Biotechnology, Biology and Pharmacy at the EPO – Problems and Possibilities”.

ON OCTOBER 17, 2019, S&E HELD AN EU IP LAW SEMINAR

On September 24, 2019, S&E held an Indian IP Law Study Group titled, “Insight into the Protection and Enforcement of Patent Rights in India”

ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2019, S&E HELD A GERMAN IP SEMINAR ON PATENT INFRINGEMENT LITIGATION CASES AND THE PROTECTION OF TRADE SECRETS

IP Practice: Update of Patent Linkage System for Pharmaceutical Products in Taiwan

On July 25, 2019: Attorneys Ayuko Nemoto and Ryo Takamatsu gave a presentation at the Legal & Compliance Committee of the American Medical Devices and Diagnostics Manufacturers’ Association (AMDD).

ON JULY 11, 2019: S&E SPONSORED A LATIN AMERICA IP SEMINAR.

ON JUNE 21, 2019, S&E SPONSORED A US IP LAW SEMINAR.

Revision of the Patent Act – Patent Disputes and Extension of the Scope of Protection for Designs

IP Practice: 2018(Ne)10063 Appeal Case of Seeking Injunction and Compensation against Patent Infringement

On June 6, 2019: S&E Held a Study Group on Intellectual Property in China and Taiwan.

On May 28, 2019: S&E gave a presentation at the LESI 2019 – Annual Conference Yokohama Japan –

On May 13, 2019 and in Frankfurt on May 16 (Frankfurt), 2019: The China IP Law Seminar was held by the Hamburg Office.

Reduction of patent-related fees

On March 12, 2019: Interview of Ayuko Nemoto by the INTA (International Trademark Association) was released as a podcast.

IP-Bulletin from Japan

“Golden Week” holidays 2019

Sonderhoff & Einsel welcomes three new patent attorneys in January

Amendment of the fee for examination request (As of April 1, 2019)

THE LEGAL 500 ASIA PACIFIC 2019

On January 24, 2019, S&E will hold a German IP Seminar on “Prosecution of German Patents: a comparison with EP Proceedings ”.

S&E gives presentation in Tokyo on December 10th, 2018 and in Osaka on December 12th, 2018 at the WE2 Study Group held by the Japan Intellectual Property Association (JIPA).

IP Practice: “Interpreting Standards of Amendments to Markush Claims in Invalidation Proceedings from the Perspective of a Retrial by the Supreme People’s Court of China”

Notice: Year End Holiday

On November 30, 2018 Sonderhoff & Einsel’s Kengo Sakai Gave a Presentation at the EU-Japan Centre’s Event titled, “Recent Developments in EU and Japanese IP and Privacy Law “

On November 30, 2018, S&E and the EU-Japan Center for Industrial Cooperation Will Conduct a Seminar titled, “Recent Developments in EU and Japanese IP and Privacy Law.”

Mr. Martin Krause, a German and European Patent Attorney, joined our partner office in Hamburg.

On August 30th, 2018 an event entitled “From the Ground Up: The Latest IP Information Related to Pharmaceutical Patents such as the China/Taiwan Patent Linkage System”

Tax Practice：“Some important amendments of the domestic tax laws under the Government of Japan’s 2018 Tax Reform with regard to corporate tax, income tax, and gift and inheritance tax”

Law Practice: “Workplace Harassment Comes in Many Forms: How Can You Help Your Company Prevent and Deal with Harassment in the Workplace”

On July 24, 2018, S&E sponsored an US IP seminar on the recent trends in the US Supreme Court’s and Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit’s decisions, and their impact on the patent practices of Japanese corporations.

IP Practice: “Extension of Grace Period (exception of the loss of novelty) for inventions, utility models and designs”

On August 30, 2018: S&E will give a presentation on intellectual property in China and Taiwan — Basics regarding the patent linkage system and other pharmaceutical-related topics as well as the latest IP information –.

IP Practice: “Present Status of the Practice of Swiss-type Claims in China”

On April 20, 2018, FELIX EINSEL GAVE A PRESENTATION AT THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOR THE INSTITUTE OF PATENT AND TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS OF AUSTRALIA

ON APRIL 25, 2018, S&E SPONSORED AN IP SEMINAR ON PATENT AND TRADEMARK PROSECUTION AND LITIGATION UNDER THAILAND LAW.

IP Practice: “Update of Patent Linkage System for Pharmaceutical Products in Taiwan”

On February 15, 2018, S&E Gave a Presentation to the Japan In-House Counsel Network（JICN）.

IP Practice: “Update of Patent Linkage System for Pharmaceutical Products in China”

On December 13, 2017: S&E Gave a Lecture at the Graduate School of Intellectual Property, Osaka Institute of Technology.

On December 8, 2017 in Tokyo and on December 13, 2017 in Osaka: S&E Gave a Presentation at the WE21 Study Group Held By the Japan Intellectual Property Association (JIPA).

On December 8, 2017: S&E Gave a Presentation to the Japan Pharmaceutical Industry Legal Affairs Association’s Study Group on International Issues.

IP Practice: “Revision of Administrative Regulations of Prioritized Examination”

On October 10, 2017 in Germany: S&E conducted a Seminar titled, “Intellectual Property in Japan.”

On October 5, 2017: in Germany, S&E conducted a seminar titled, “Current Developments in Intellectual Property in Japan and Germany”

On September 28, 2017, S&E Will Conduct a Seminar titled, “Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property, Patentability trends in the Life Sciences and Recent developments of the EU Unitary Patent System.”

On September 27, 2017: Seminar on the prosecution and exercise of patent and utility model rights in Europe and Germany

IP Practice: “Announces White Paper on Judicial Protection of IP Rights in 2016”

On September 8, 2017: S&E Will Give a Presentation To the Life Science Innovation Forum 3 by JMAC.

On July 12, 2017: S&E Gave a Presentation To the Japan Pharmaceutical Industry Legal Affairs Association’s Study Group on International Issues.

On April 25, 2017 and on July 10, 2017: S&E Gave a Presentation at One of the Monthly Seminars of the Japanese Institute of International Business Law, Inc. (Kokusai-shojiho-kenkyusho)

On May 30 and June 1, 2017: S&E held IP seminars jointly with the AIP Patent & Law Firm from Korea

May 17, 2017: “S&E Gives Presentation on Overtime Work Issues at Asian Legal Business Japan In-House Legal Summit Event”

Website for our partner office in China

IP Stars 2017

[IP Newsletter] New Types of Trademarks – First Registration of a Color Mark in Japan

[IP Newsletter] Decision by the IP High Court regarding average molecular weight and the clarity of claims requirement

[IP Newsletter] Decision by the Grand Panel of Intellectual Property High Court (January 20, 2017) Regarding Scope of Extended Patent Right

[Law Newsletter] January 2017 Issue: 2017 Revision of Childcare and Family Care Leave Law and Implications for Employers

November 22, 2016: Seminar on Latest Developments in Intellectual Property Law in the EU and Japan

November 21st, 2016: Seminar on German Intellectual Property

Business Days from December 2016 onwards

[Tax Newsletter] October 2016 Issue: Dependents Living Abroad

Sonderhoff & Einsel featured in Japan Lawyers Guide 2016/2017 (LexisNexis).

September 2016 Tax Newsletter has been published.

September 2016 Tax Newsletter has been published.

“Maxacalcitol” Manufacturing Process Patent Case

Public Holidays – September 2016

Comments by Our Managing Partner, Felix Reinhard Einsel

A new patent attorney, Hiroshi Morita, has joined the Firm.

New articles in our Info Center

Japan’s accession to the Patent Law Treaty

Revision of the Employees’ Invention System in Japan (as of April 1, 2016)

Use inventions of foods

May 27th, 2016: Seminar on U.S. Intellectual Property

Submission of foreign language patent applications since April 1, 2016

Public Holidays – May 2016

Extensions of Patent Terms: Revised JPO Examination Guidelines

March 30, 2016: “The Employment Agreement in Japan” – Seminar at the GCC

Sonderhoff & Einsel News Update – March 2016

Public holidays – March 2016

Revision of Fees for Patents and Trademarks and Handling of Extensions for Office Actions

March 4, 2016: VDMA-Workshop „Research & Development“ in Frankfurt/ Main

February 19-21, 2016: Winter School on Japanese Law explained by Case Studies

Revision of the ‘Examination Guidelines for Patent and Utility Model in Japan’

Public holidays – February 2016

Revision of the “Examination Guidelines for Patents and Utility Models in Japan”

Sonderhoff & Einsel News Update, December 2015

Supreme Court’s Opinion in Genentech v. JPO

Amendment of Workers Dispatch Act Now in Effect

Public Holidays – December 2015

Public holidays – November 2015

Tax News August 2015 Issue: Essence of 2015 Tax Reform in Japan

Partial Revision of the Patent Act and Other Acts (summary)

Trademarks – FAQ

About Trademarks in Japan – 2

About Trademarks in Japan – 1

About the Design System in Japan – 6

About the Design System in Japan – 5

About the Design System in Japan – 4

Sonderhoff & Einsel News Update Law & Tax, August 2015

Decision by the Supreme Court of Japan, Apple vs. Individual Inventor

Designs – FAQ

About the Design System in Japan – 1

About the Design System in Japan – 2

About the Design System in Japan – 3

Making Japanese Labor Law Work for You

Seminar: Intellectual Property Trends and Trade Secrets – at Europa House Tokyo, Oct 6th 2015