Our Service Highlights
Key Features of YKI’s Patent, Design, and Trademark Services
At YKI Intellectual Property Attorneys, we provide comprehensive intellectual property services both in Japan and internationally. Leveraging our extensive experience and deep technical expertise, we deliver customized support to meet each client’s specific needs.
Below are the key features of our core services in the areas of patents, designs, and trademarks.
At YKI, our patent services begin even before an application is filed—starting with the discovery and development of inventions.
We provide end-to-end support: from drafting high-quality specifications and managing prosecution, to offering comprehensive post-grant services.
Thorough Invention Review Meetings
Before filing, we hold in-depth meetings with inventors to analyze the invention from multiple perspectives.
Our team conducts objective evaluations, including prior art searches, assessments of technology trends, and analysis of Patent Office examination tendencies.
These insights, along with patentability evaluations, are shared with inventors to support strategic decision-making.
Thanks to our deep expertise, we often help significantly increase the value of inventions—sometimes several times over.
High-Quality Specification Drafting and Prosecution
A strong patent demands both a well-crafted application and effective prosecution.
Our drafting incorporates strategies such as:
- Structuring claims to maximize patentability and enforceability
- Anticipating future amendments
- Ensuring clarity to facilitate infringement detection
- Designing claims to block competitor products
During prosecution, we focus not just on obtaining patents, but on securing claims that offer real commercial value.
Internal study sessions and collaborative reviews support the consistency and quality of our work.
Comprehensive Post-Grant Support
In case of disputes, we offer full-spectrum support: patentability reanalysis, infringement assessment, evidence gathering, design-around strategies, negotiations, and licensing.
When needed, we assemble interdisciplinary teams with attorneys and have successfully handled cross-border IP disputes in collaboration with trusted overseas partners.
Our design services begin with strategic planning before the application is filed.
We approach design protection from multiple angles and explore diverse possibilities to maximize your rights.
Strategic Design Planning
A single product may be protected by multiple rights—for example, patents for technical aspects and design rights for appearance.
Even if a technical idea is not patentable, design protection may still be available.
We create optimal strategies by leveraging Japan’s unique systems, including related designs, partial designs, sets of articles, GUI designs, and interior/architectural designs.
Proposals for Variation Designs
Filing not only the primary (original) design but also variations as related designs can ensure broader protection and better prevent imitation.
We offer strategic proposals for variation designs to help secure and reinforce your brand identity.
High-Quality Design Drawings
We produce accurate, consistent drawings even from photos, physical samples, or rough sketches.
We also generate drawings from provided 3D CAD data, and can support both line drawings and CG or photographic illustrations.
Our trademark services start at the brand development stage.
We support you in ensuring your trademarks are properly protected and safely used over the long term.
Fast and Accurate Trademark Filings
Speed and accuracy are critical in trademark filing.
Trademarks are key assets that safeguard brand value, and timing can greatly influence enforceability.
With decades of experience, our team ensures applications are filed promptly and precisely.
Trusted Global Network
Trademark rights must be secured country by country.
For businesses expanding internationally, a well-designed global strategy is essential.
We work with a trusted network of international partners to provide seamless protection abroad, offering strategies tailored to local laws and practices.
Strategic Solutions for Complex Trademark Issues
Trademark matters can be complex and varied.
Our team excels at identifying the core of each issue and developing clear, practical solutions.
We also offer proactive guidance to reduce future risks—supporting not only resolution, but long-term protection.