Shimada Mizutani is a small firm and proud of it. Being small means we can respond quicker and produce accurate results. And best of all, it helps us to bond stronger and more lasting partnerships with our clients.

Our forte is trademarks and service marks. We pride ourselves in having been a prime mover in establishing a Japanese trademark culture that treats international marks on a par with local ones.

Typical of the role Shimada Mizutani has played in protecting the trademarks of overseas clients is our long involvement in defending the much-imitated trademark VOGUE of the world-famous fashion magazine.

This 25-year running battle with infringers and potential infringers included the filing and prosecution of more than 200 legal actions, including oppositions, invalidation trials, and cancellation trials. VOGUE is today highly respected in Japan as a trademark not to be infringed, though we remain constantly vigilant.

Since the enacting of new legislation expanding the power of patent attorneys before the courts, Shimada Mizutani has represented clients in more than ten lawsuits for cancellation of the Japan Patent Office decisions. It has also participated in the capacity of an expert legal advisor in a number of patent, design and trademark infringement lawsuits, more than ten of which were won on all counts.