Tsugihiro Okada
Biography
Tsugihiro Okada is a partner in the IP Tech group in the Tokyo office. He is vice chairman of the Tokyo Bar Association's International Committee and a member of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property. Tsugihiro was selected as a "Rising Star Bengoshi" by The Legal 500 (TMT, 2020).
Practice Focus
Tsugihiro focuses his practice on intellectual property law, data protection law, telecommunications law and other information technology matters. He regularly advises both Japanese and international clients on data protection and other regulatory law matters and also has significant experience assisting clients in negotiations related to licenses and other technology-related agreements. In addition, Tsugihiro has extensive experience in handling the often critical intellectual property aspects of large-scale international M&A transactions.
Representative Legal Matters
- Conducted research and provided analyses on the utilization of connected car-related data for multiple clients in the automobile industry.
- Provided analysis and advice to medical device manufacturers on legal constraints related to the utilization of RWD / big data.
- Supported an overseas agricultural machinery manufacturer in connection with its deployment of farming data analysis services in Japan using agricultural machinery with data collection functions.
- Advised on legal regulations and drafted contracts related to smart agriculture and the utilization of data in agriculture.
- Provided advice and handled negotiations related to the intellectual property aspects of acquisitions of overseas companies by major domestic machinery manufacturers.
- Advised major domestic and international investment funds on the intellectual property and data privacy aspects of their acquisitions of major domestic HR SaaS companies.
- Advised major domestic semiconductor and printing equipment manufacturers on the intellectual property aspects of their sales of overseas businesses.
- Represented a major overseas home appliance manufacturer in the acquisition of an overseas home appliance business of a Japanese company through bidding and the establishment of a joint venture therewith, handling negotiations and contract conclusion related to intellectual property.
- Represented a Japanese electronic components company in its acquisition of a technology company's battery business.
- Handled intellectual property-related contract matters in connection with acquisitions of Japanese software-related companies by overseas IT consulting firms aiming to enhance their DX capabilities.
- Supported the establishment of internal regulations and provided related advice based on the Act on Protection of Personal Information of Japan, GDPR, CCPA and other foreign personal information protection laws.
- Frequently provide regulatory advice in relation to the development of mobile apps (including game apps) and the preparation of terms of use and privacy policies.
- Frequently assists IT industry clients in preparing agreements related to cloud and other information technology services.
Professional Associations and Memberships
- New York State Bar Association - Member
- Tokyo Bar Association - Member
- International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property - Member
- International Committee of the Tokyo Bar Association - Vice Chairman (since April 2021)
Admissions
- New York~United States (2015)
- Japan (2008)
Education
- University of Washington (LL.M. Intellectual Property Law and Policy Graduate Program) (2014)
- Kobe University (JD) (2007)
- Kobe University (LLB) (2005)
Languages
- Japanese
- English
Baker & McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise) is a member of Baker & McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein.