2023.09.21

Miyuki Ebisawa × Mayuko Yamamoto – How Can 'Fashion Design' Be Protected Under Japanese Law?

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Miyuki Ebisawa, an attorney at Mimura Komatsu Law Firm, presents the special feature series 'Fashion Law'. Fashion Law refers to the area of law that deals with legal issues related to the fashion industry and sector. In March this year, the first-ever Japanese "Fashion Law Guidebook" was published.

In formulating the Fashion Law Guidebook, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry initiated the 'Study Group on Fashion Futures – Fashion Law WG'. Ebisawa served as the vice-chair of this group. This second session is a continued discussion with Mayuko Yamamoto, who also participated in the research group as a member and serves as a lecturer at Gunma University's Faculty of Information Science, brought to you as a co-host.

We will discuss how fashion brands and designers should deal with the 'imitation' of highly popular fashion designs on the internet and think about their approach in conjunction with Fashion Law.

Miyuki Ebisawa × Mayuko Yamamoto: What Is 'Imitation' in Fashion Design? Considering Past Court Cases

PROFILE

Miyuki Ebisawa

Attorney (Second Tokyo Bar Association) / Fashion Editor
Mimura Komatsu Law Firm

Passionate about 'Fashion Law', a branch of law dealing with legal issues in fashion, Ebisawa oversees the legal consultation service for fashion industry professionals 'fashionlaw.tokyo', and the specialized media 'mag by fashionlaw.tokyo'. She is also a part-time lecturer at Bunka Fashion College, a researcher at the Fashion Law Institute Japan, a member of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's 'Study Group of Fashion Futures', and the vice-chair of the Fashion Law WG. Since 2022, she has served as an external director at Takashimaya Co., Ltd. She has authored numerous articles, interviews, and lectures on Fashion Law.

PROFILE

Mayuko Yamamoto

Faculty of Information Science, Gunma University – Lecturer
Uchida & Samejima Law Office – Counsel Attorney
(Part-time Lecturer at Bunka Graduate University of Fashion)

Graduated from Chuo University's Faculty of Policy Studies in March 2009. Completed Hokkaido University's Graduate School of Law specializing in legal practice in March 2012. Registered as an attorney in December 2013. Joined Uchida & Samejima Law Office in January 2014 (to present). Part-time lecturer at Bunka Graduate University of Fashion starting April 2018 (to present). Attended Hokkaido University's Graduate School of Law's master's program (dropped out) and doctoral postgraduate program (dropped out), and since April 2019, has been at the Tokyo University Graduate School of Law and Politics, specializing in General Law Policy doctoral program (to present). Since April 2022, she has been in her current position.