On November 1, 2018, a delegation comprised of 21 members of the U.S. Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) visited the IP High Court and paid a courtesy call on Chief Judge Makiko Takabe. The IPO is an association that was established in the U.S. in 1972 and is organized by entities (business enterprises) and individuals that own intellectual property rights. The association represents the rights and interests of such owners and is intended to provide education, etc. on intellectual property rights.
The IPO representatives received an explanation from Chief Judge Takabe regarding recent situation of the IP High Court, and then actively exchanged opinions on topics including the Practice of explanatory sessions and the influence of Grand Panel Judgements. Some of the IPO members who attended the Judicial Symposium on Intellectual Property 2018 held on October 31 remarked that the symposium was excellent because they had an opportunity to observe mock trials from major countries all in one place. A number of opinions voicing approval and admiration of the efforts of the IP High Court for international exchange were expressed by the members.