Hiroe and Associates

Hiroe and Associates has been providing intellectual property legal services since Takenori Hiroe founded the firm in 1979. Takenori Hiroe graduated from Gifu University with a degree in textile engineering in 1971, and then began working in research and development at Japan Vilene Company, Ltd. in Tokyo. He obtained his patent attorney’s license in 1978, and in 1979 he returned to Gifu to open his practice.

Since then, it has grown into an organization with clients and associates all over the world. With the success of its international section attributable to the individual skills of each section member, the firm’s service continues to perform and improve. In 2011, Chairman Takenori Hiroe received a Medal of Merit award from the Emperor of Japan, personally recommended by the JPO Commissioner, for his long-time services as a patent attorney.

Led by Takenori Hiroe, the team of experienced patent attorneys, technical specialists, administrative staff, and in-house translators is globally trusted by our clients due to our precision, speed, reliability, and cost performance, and is accomplished for demonstrating a skilled legal proficiency regarding all areas of intellectual property.

The firm has been voted as one of the top patent prosecution firms in Japan by various legal publications, magazines, and is continually practicing the firm’s management philosophy "to contribute to the growth and prosperity of the clients."

Key IP Areas

Copyright & related rights, Designs, Intellectual property (prosecution), Intellectual property (contentious), IP transactions, Patent, Patent contentious, Patent prosecution, PTAB litigation, Trade mark, Trade mark contentious, Trade mark prosecution, Life sciences IP, ITC litigation

Key Sector Expertise

Biotechnology, Chemical, Automotive, Computer technology & services, Pharmaceutical, Nanotechnology, Medical device, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Life sciences, Electrical, Semiconductors, Technology hardware, Telecommunication

We are proud of our efforts to accommodate vulnerable groups in Japan. For example, we are very open to hiring foreigners, and supporting their path of employment-based residence. Considering that Japanese is not their native language and Japan has a unique culture we make sure that their concerns are heard and properly responded to. Our company never allowed for discrimination based on the nationality, gender, age, or religion of our employees.