Asia/Japan
Withers promotes 16 partners in global round as US dominates
Expanded round sees firm achieve 50:50 gender split
Simmons leads fashion e-retailer Zozo’s $154m acquisition of UK rival Lyst
CMS is advising global shopping platform Lyst on the deal, which will continue to operate as a standalone business
MoFo advises SoftBank on mega $40bn funding round in OpenAI
Largest venture-backed investment on record values ChatGPT-creator at $300bn
WIPO reports return to growth in patents and trademarks filings in 2024
China was the leading country filer for patents and designs, while US took the top spot for trademarks
Debevoise, Nishimura called in for Nippon Life’s $8.2bn Resolution Life acquisition
Kirkland & Ellis and Herbert Smith Freehills also among nine law firm’s called in for the largest takeover by a Japanese insurer
‘A dynamic international landscape’: The Global Legal Post launches IP guide
Law Over Borders Intellectual Property guide is edited by Foley & Lardner’s Jeffrey Greene
White & Case launches Tokyo disputes practice with Orrick partner hire
Shinsuke Yakura joins having led Orrick’s Tokyo office
Japan cuts red tape for foreign lawyer registrations
Law Society of England and Wales hails ‘positive’ move by Japanese government
Quinn Emanuel strengthens in Japan with partner hire from Nagashima Ohno
International disputes lawyer Hisaya Kimura joins the firm in Tokyo
Bird & Bird adds Ashurst corporate partner for Tokyo launch
Office to handle outbound work for Japanese clients as UK firm aims to reach €1bn revenue in five years
Greenberg, Goodwin shepherd Ono Pharma’s $2.4bn Deciphera acquisition
Greenberg counsels Ono in deal to expand Japanese group’s oncology portfolio and US presence
Volkswagen is latest carmaker to join Avanci’s 5G licensing programme
Group that includes Audi and Seat joins more that 25 automotive brands that can now use the standard essential patents of more than 60 patent holders
Around the house: Disney promotes GC to CLO role, Olympus lines up global GC replacement
This week’s roundup of top in-house moves also includes appointments at Circana, John Wood Group, Agoda and Northern Trains
A luxury brand guide to Asia Pacific customs powers in trademark enforcement
DLA Piper partner Edward Chatterton and colleagues provide a high-level overview of how APAC customs authorities can help brand owners stop counterfeit goods entering a country
Huawei and Sharp sign patent cross licensing deal of 4G and 5G technology
Chinese and Japanese technology companies agree to license their mobile standard essential patents
Global decrease in trademark filings, WIPO reports, but continued rise in patents
IP filings have “braved” the pandemic, but WIPO director general warns of geopolitical instability and an uncertain economic outlook
Patent platform Avanci launches single licence as carmakers gear up for 5G connected cars
Mercedes Benz becomes first car maker to sign up to 5G connected vehicle licensing programme
Linklaters builds in Japan with corporate partner from Nishimura & Asahi
Hire of Yoshiyuki Asaoka follows magic circle firm adding Ashurst’s Tokyo M&A and Asia insurance sector lead last spring
Clifford Chance elects 32 new partners in diverse round
Twelve women included in round that sees 39% of new US and UK partners come from minority ethnic backgrounds
Watson Farley & Williams hires White & Case asset finance team for Tokyo debut
UK firm follows up Seoul launch in February with new office focused on aviation and maritime finance work
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