JETRO seminar in Düsseldorf: Japanese delegation explores European patent litigation

On 16 April 2026, the Düsseldorf office of JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) hosted a one‑day IP seminar for around 20 representatives from Japanese companies and law firms. Maiwald was involved in the programme and on site, with our colleagues Dr. Naho Fujiomoto, Ms Nao Takeuchi, Mr Yasuaki Koshiro and Mr Ronald Kick actively contributing throughout the day.

The day began at the Düsseldorf Regional Court, where Presiding Judge Dr Vera Drees welcomed the group. The presiding judges of the patent chambers, Mr Carsten Haase and Dr Tilmann Büttner, outlined the structure and tasks of the patent divisions and answered questions on German patent litigation practice. Over lunch in the court canteen, Vice‑President Jörg Koewius joined the discussions.

The delegation then moved on to the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court. After an introduction by Vice‑President Klaus Müller, Mr Ronny Thomas and Dr Bérénice Thom, presiding judges at the Unified Patent Court (UPC), presented the court’s role and early case law and addressed questions from the participants.

The final part of the programme took place at the Hyatt Regency Düsseldorf. Ms Makiko Takabe, former President of the IP High Court in Japan, spoke on current developments in standard‑essential patent (SEP) litigation in Japan. Dr Naho Fujimoto followed with an overview of selected UPC decisions and their significance for European patent strategies. The event offered a valuable opportunity to compare Japanese and European perspectives on patent disputes and to deepen the dialogue between courts, companies and law firms.