Hiroto Imai
Partner Intellectual Property, Media, and Technology
Languages
Japanese, English
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Overview
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Experience
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Credentials
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Insights and events
IAM Patent 1000, 2018"...the engineering master Imai is a rarity on the domestic scene; few Japanese attorneys at law so effectively combine cross-cultural sensitivity, immense technical depth and astute legal insight."
Hiroto Imai is a bengoshi (Japanese qualified lawyer) and a benrishi (Japanese qualified patent attorney) in Hogan Lovells' Tokyo office. Since 1997, Hiroto has handled various patent and other intellectual property disputes/matters, including patent litigations in a variety of industry sectors, invalidation trials, face-to-face negotiations, settlements, brand protections, licensing, and IP aspects of corporate and commercial transactions. Whilst his primary focus is on IP practice, Hiroto also has extensive experience in handling corporate and commercial disputes/matters in a wide variety of areas.
Hiroto studied science at Waseda University (B.Eng. 1991) and at the Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University (1991-1992). He studied law at the Legal Training and Research Institute, the Supreme Court of Japan and at the University of Pennsylvania, (LL.M. 2002). Prior to joining Hogan Lovells, he worked at the Tokyo and London offices of a Magic Circle firm in the IP and Corporate practice groups, as well as at leading Japanese law firms.
In Japan, few attorneys have scientific or engineering backgrounds; however, Hiroto actively uses the strength and knowledge of his own scientific background in handling patent disputes/matters, etc., in various technical fields, whether they are contentious or not.
IAM Patent 1000, 2018"...the engineering master Imai is a rarity on the domestic scene; few Japanese attorneys at law so effectively combine cross-cultural sensitivity, immense technical depth and astute legal insight."
Representative experience
Advising Samvardhana Motherson International Limited on its purchase of an 81% stake in Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd., a TSE-listed subsidiary of Honda Motors Co., Ltd.
Advising global and Japanese companies in relation to patent disputes including performing provisional dispositions, litigations, invalidation trials, face-to-face negotiations with adverse parties, and settlements.
Advising global and Japanese companies regarding IP disputes including trademark, design, copyright, trade secret, Unfair Competition Prevention Law.
Advising global and Japanese companies on IP related contracts, IP commercial transactions, patent/trademark infringement search reports, IP due diligence, personal data protection.
Advising clients on company law, product liability law, anti-monopoly law, government regulatory laws, commercial matters, labour laws, and real property.
Acting for and advising global and Japanese companies regarding various disputes in relation to commercial transactions, contracts, product liability and employment issues.
Credentials
- LL.M., University of Pennsylvania
- Supreme Court Legal Training and Research Institute, 1995-1997
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 1991-1992
- B.Eng., Waseda University, 1991
- Japan - Daiichi Tokyo Bar Association
- Japan Patent Attorneys Association