Report on the “Trilateral Patent Office Heads and Users Meeting International Symposium” (Director Yoichi Oshima took the stage).

Date: October 15, 2024 (Tuesday), 13:30 – 15:45
Venue: Institute of Science Tokyo Kuramae Hall
Organized by: Japan Patent Office (JPO)
Co-organized by: Tokyo University of Science
Format: In-person event (with simultaneous interpretation in Japanese and English)

This symposium, organized by the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and co-hosted by Institute of Science Tokyo, was held at the Oookayama Campus of Institute of Science Tokyo. It served as an international symposium to discuss the various aspects of intellectual property management in the process of transferring university-developed technologies to industry. Representatives from the European Patent Office (EPO), the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and user organizations from Japan, the U.S., and Europe (BE, JIPA, AIPLA, IPO) participated in the event, which attracted approximately 200 attendees.

The event began with opening remarks from Director General Yota Ono of the Japan Patent Office and a keynote speech by Naoto Otake, President of Institute of Science Tokyo. In the panel discussion, the process of implementing academic technologies into society through startups was explored. Additionally, the use and role of intellectual property rights in ecosystems where multiple researchers and organizations collaborate to tackle social issues were discussed from the perspectives of Japan, the U.S., and Europe, as well as from industry, government, and academia.

Yota Ono, Director General of the Japan Patent Office
Naoto Otake, President of Institute of Science Tokyo

In Panel Discussions A and B, Vice Presidents Kaori Iida and Yoichi Oshima of Institute of Science Tokyo took the stage as moderators. Vice President Iida moderated the discussion on “Social Implementation of Academic Technologies Through Startups: Challenges and Solutions for Success,” while Vice President Oshima moderated “Intellectual Property Management for Innovation Ecosystems.” During the discussions, panelists shared important insights and challenges on topics such as diversity and inclusion, the importance of basic education in intellectual property, building agile startup ecosystems, and accelerating patent examination processes.

[Scene from Panel Discussion A] Vice President Kaori Iida, serving as the moderator.
[Scene from Panel Discussion A]
(From left to right) Vice President Kaori Iida, Director General Yota Ono of the Japan Patent Office, Director Kathi Vidal of the USPTO, Special Honorary Professor Hiromitsu Nakauchi, and Christina Wainikka from BE.

[Scene from Panel Discussion B]
Vice President Yoichi Oshima, serving as the moderator.
[Scene from Panel Discussion B]
(From left to right) Vice President Yoichi Oshima, Director General António Campinos of the EPO, Deputy Director General Lisa Jorgenson of WIPO, Vice Chairman Shingo Wakada of JIPA, Salvatore Anastasi of AIPLA, and Daniel Staudt of IPO.

The symposium concluded with closing remarks from President Yujiro Tanaka of Institute of Science Tokyo, bringing the event to a successful close.

Yujiro Tanaka, President of Institute of Science Tokyo

JPO Event Website:https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/news/ugoki/202410/2024101802.html