Specialists in Patent Translation Decades of Experience In-depth Subject Matter Expertise Based in Japan, Serving the World

Japanese Patent Translation Inquiry Form Clients Writings For Colleagues FAQ About Us Site Map Japanese

HomeJapanese Patent Translation Read First Patent Translation Our Track Record Other IP Translation Discovery Documents Certified Translation What We Will Not Do Inquiry Form Japanese Patent Translation Many things need to be considered when looking for a Japanese patent translator to provide you translations of patents, be they for filing or for other purposes. Our strength lies in our ability to provide high-quality Japanese-to-English translation of patent specifications, both for filing outside Japan and for other uses, and we have an established track record in a broad range of fields. Patent Specifications for Filing.  Specific instances of filing overseas (outside of Japan) have their specific requirements. We can provide English-language patent specification for filing overseas, either in US format or for PCT route filing. Translations of Prior Art.  If you have Japanese documents that you believe will be valuable as prior art, you will need a translation that is as close as possible to the original. We regularly provide such translations and, when required, we provide translations certified by a translator who is certified as a Japanese-to-English translator by the American Association of Translators. Regardless of the purpose of the patent translation, however, our approach to patent translation reflects both our technical expertise, acquired through years of experience in industry, and our decades of experience in providing Japanese patent translations for a wide variety of clients both in Japan and overseas. Our Approach Every Japanese patent translation assignment we accept is subjected to a process we have developed over the years for providing high-quality patent translation. Initial Readthrough.  Our initial readthrough of Japanese patent documents we are asked to translate is basically to identify problems at an early stage that could arise during the actual translation process. Verification of Bibliographic Information and Acquisition of Reference Materials.  Bibliographic information allows us to research the and identify relevant reference materials. Naturally, receiving such reference material from our clients is very helpful, but given the bibliographical information, we can usually find the following type of information on our own. Existing US patents with similar subject matter that have been granted to the same inventors (often very helpful in identifying terminology already established and recognized in the field of art of the patent being translated) Non-patent publications by the same inventors. Other literature in the field of art of the patent. Establishment of Terminology to Be Used.   Terminology we used needs to be both consistent within the Japanese patent document being translated and consistent with terminology conventionally used in the field of the art of the patent document being translated. To that end, we create job-specific glossaries for every assignment we accept, these glossaries including the following elements. Terminology not necessarily unique to the field of art of the document, but identified as customarily used by the same inventors in other patent applications. Correct renderings of all inventor names and the Japanese applicant name (available to us through our access of Japanese-only databases) When necessary, the glossaries created also include notes on terminology to aid the patent translator. These glossaries are maintained by us indefinitely, and serve as a basis for future assignments. Translation.  Once the above preparatory steps have been completed, the translation process itself begins. Unlike some of the mass-production translation providers, we will never need to look for a heretofore unknown translator in a Third World venue to do your translations. Translations are only entrusted to staff members who both understand the subject matter of the patent document and have years of experience in the patent translation field. Questions.  During the translation process, questions might arise. Depending upon whether the translation is for filing or for other purposes, these will best be handled by the inventor or drafter of the patent (in the former case) or the entity originally commissioning the translation (in the case of US law firm clients commissioning translations). The fact that questions are asked should be understood as an indication that the translator realizes the importance of not speculating when correct information is close at hand. Additional Services Certification.  If necessary, we can certify the translations we provide, over the signature of a translator certified as a Japanese-to-English translator by the American Translators Association. Obtaining Additional Documents.  Particularly in the case of searches for prior art, you might encounter documents cited in patent documents of which you require additional translations, but which you cannot easily obtain from outside Japan. In addition, of course, to our being able to obtain virtually any Japanese patent document from the Japanese-language database of the Japan Patent Office immediately, our proximity to the JPO (the only direct source, for example, of patent applications that have been withdrawn based on subsequent filings) and experience with such requirements can serve as an asset in your prosecution and litigation efforts. Please contact us if you have such special requirements.

www.lise.jp/translation.html © Lise & Partners, Inc. Last modified: Friday, 05-Mar-2010 02:56:00 GMT