1. Introduction of IPLNET JapanThe Intellectual Property Lawyers Network Japan (”IPLNET”) is a nationwide legal network
established on April 8th, 2005 by a project of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (“JFBA”). Its
aim is to enhance the communication of Intellectual Property Law and improve the standard of legal
services in relation to the same, which it endeavors to do by providing training, support, andinformation resources on IP related matters to lawyers and to other industry professionals.

Japanese court procedures are followed based on the three-trial system: fifty (50) district
courts, eight (8) high courts and the Supreme Court. However, district courts other than the Tokyoand Osaka District Courts have no jurisdiction for cases on patents, utility model layout-designs ofsemiconductor integrated circuits and computer program works.

Meanwhile, legal needs on IP issues arise throughout Japan, local IP lawyers are needed toadvise, represent, and settle such matters within their own jurisdiction. This is where the IPLNET
was established as a network of lawyers around the country who can share their knowledge andexperience of IP related issues, with other lawyers who wish to gain experience in the field, and byproviding a forum for lawyers in the field to support each other and to exchange professional views.

Therefore, it is important for the IPLNET to be able to efficiently communicate, train andprovide essential information on Intellectual Property related issues to lawyers and other industry
professionals throughout Japan. This has become a stable & reliable framework for improving
professional legal services in this area of law.

Today, over 1,000 lawyers are participating in IPLNET, and many activities are conducted
through it, and its eight local divisions (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto-Koshinetsu, Chubu, Kinki,Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyusyu-Okinawa) which is corresponding to the locations of eight HighCourts. The eight local divisions play important roles to train the IP professionals and make itpossible for IPLNET to make immediate response to the demand for the legal assistance on IP
related matters scattered all over the country.

IPLENT has been developing a variety of international activities such as training IP lawyers
who can also deal with international cases, and contributing to development of IP legal systemthrough the interchange and discussion with the lawyers and judges from other countries such byco-hosting, along with JFBA, the Joint Juridical Conference on Japan and the U.S. IntellectualProperty in 2011 and the seminar on the European Unified Patent Court System.
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In addition, IPLNET which cerebrates 10th anniversary next year will jointly host, withIntellectual Property High Court, the symposium in which the IP judges from no less than five (5)countries have the panel discussion on the specific IP related issues in each country.

2. Organization of IPLENT JapanIPLNET Japan consists of more than 1,000 members, and has nearly seventy (70) directors
elected from all the 47 prefectures, two (2) auditors, and over ten (10) secretariats, who are all
Japanese IP lawyers. The major management of IPLNET Japan as of June 11, 2014, and its eight (8)local divisions are as follows;
President: Wataru Sueyoshi (Mr.)
Senior Director: Izumi Hayashi (Ms.)
Secretary General: Tomoki Ihara (Mr.)

Hokkaido Local Division
Tohoku Local Division

Kinki Local Division

Kanto Koshin-etsu Local Division

Chugoku Local Division
Chubu Local DivisionShikoku Local Division

KyushuOkinawa

LocalDivision

If you have any question or interests in IPLNET Japan, please contact Ms. Izumi Hayashi,Senior Director of IPLNET Japan (izumi.hayashi@sakurazakalaw.tokyo).
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