Japanese Government Raids Microsoft Offices 621
Nakito writes "According to an article at the financial news site Bloomberg, Microsoft's Tokyo office was raided by Japan's Fair Trade Commission, which is investigating whether the world's largest software maker violated the country's anti-monopoly law." Other readers note a AP/Yahoo story claiming: "A commission official, speaking on customary condition of anonymity, said Microsoft Japan is suspected of attaching improper restrictive conditions when signing software deals with Japanese personal computer manufacturers, such as requiring that Japanese companies allow infringement of their patents."
DO ITASHIMASHITE! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:DO ITASHIMASHITE! (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:DO ITASHIMASHITE! (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Somebody explain parent, please? (Score:5, Interesting)
They have short and long consonants, too--just like Italian, where "fato" (fate) isn't the same as "fatto" (done) and singing "a cappella" (like they do in chapel) isn't the same thing as singing "a capella" (like a little goat).
Anyway--you can embarrass the heck out of yourself if you don't keep your long and short consonants and vowels straight when speaking Japanese. Jack Seward, in his delightful book Japanese in Action, gives an example of a fellow who went to work for a Japanese firm after WWII. This unfortunate man made just that mistake, and thereby told a group of Japanese visiting the firm that he was his boss's, um, sphincter rather than his boss's assistant.
All the above, of course, is a distraction so that you won't notice that I don't remember just what vowel lengthening is involved with obasan...[pause for some Googling]...ah. There's "obasan" and "obaasan"; this message [google.com] explains the difference (among other things).
Re:DO ITASHIMASHITE! (Score:4, Informative)
Also at the BBC (Score:5, Informative)
Eastern? (Score:4, Offtopic)
Not Offtopic... (Score:5, Informative)
Not a great post, but certainly not offtopic.
Microsoft breaking monopoly laws? (Score:5, Funny)
Never saw them coming? (Score:5, Funny)
What happened to the good old days when we had RIAA and SCO jokes to space out the Microsoft ones?
Re:Never saw them coming? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Never saw them coming? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Never saw them coming? (Score:5, Funny)
Actually, I'd rather see Hasbro come out with a version of the game where the squares are labeled Windows, Windows NT, Windows 95, Internet Explorer, etc...
Re:Never saw them coming? (Score:5, Funny)
This is a great theme, actually! Free Parking would then become.....you guessed it! LINUX!!!!
Oopsie! (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Oopsie! (Score:5, Interesting)
You imply that just because one country has restrictive (or just different) laws and regulations, that a company must play by these same rules in all other markets. This is just simply not true.
I'm sure MS has enough lawyers to sort out the regulations from one country to the next and is completely capable of playing by more than one set of rules!
Re:Oopsie! (Score:5, Insightful)
As this action by Japan illustrates, apparently not. Microsoft just ran with their typical US arrogance and got caught breaking the rules.
Re:Oopsie! (Score:5, Insightful)
You said:
and that was what I was challenging. Just because MS is (potentially) found to be a monopoly in Japan does not mean that they will be found to be a monopoly in some other country or that they will change their behavior when penetrating new markets based on any such ruling.
Not missed at all. (Score:5, Insightful)
While one legal ruling in one country may hold absolutely no weight in another, any company that assumes it won't entice other countries to look for similar laws is not only doing themselves a disservice but acting out of arrogance. While the rules ARE different from country to country, as a global organization, you have to be aware of all of them and make sure your corporation is covering all of its bases in each distinct zone but at the same time balance this against sets of created expectations.
Assuming one can just have very specific terms and rules for one country is dangerous... for example if in Croatia Microsoft relaxes desktop icon restriction and certain license requirements to fit in with local law, how do they then deny the same changes and benefits to Serbia?
Re:Not missed at all. (Score:5, Interesting)
Except that a company is not an individual. MS Japan is more than likely a separate corporate entity from (and with strong contractual ties to) MS Redmond.
MS India, same thing. It's a different legal entity, with its own charter, etc. with the only stipulation being heavy contractual obligations to the parent company.
If 50 people in Japan can come up with a clear legal strategy in Japan, why couldn't 50 people in Japan come up with a clear legal strategy in Japan with strong contractual ties to Redmond?
This will have zero effect on MS Redmond, but does smear the name of MS even more.
Microsoft is in 200x what IBM was in 197x. In 30 years, maybe MS will be the good guy again, too!
Re:Oopsie! (Score:5, Interesting)
As a former resident of Japan, I think this whole issue is being framed the wrong way. Monopolies are part & parcel of Japanese business practices. It's more likely, they didn't pay off the right officials, plus they happen to be a foreign company.
Friday's Headline (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Friday's Headline (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Friday's Headline (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Friday's Headline (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Friday's Headline (Score:4, Informative)
If they accuse you of any crime inform them that you will sue them for slander if they make false allegations, that if they continue to harass you you will take legal action, that you will call the police immediately if they do no leave your property, and remind them that any action will require them to make a full disclosure in front of a court.
Re:Friday's Headline (Score:5, Interesting)
http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.ph
http://global.bsa.org/southafrica/press/newsrel
http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/news/colum
http://archive.infoworld.com/articles/op/xml/01
Re:Friday's Headline (Score:5, Funny)
"Ha ha, stupid Americans, we're running Rinux!"
Invasion! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Invasion! (Score:5, Funny)
A couple of years ago, the Bank of Japan's Washington, DC office scheduled their annual holiday party on December 7th and sent out invitations before realizing that they had invited economists from every nation to a bash on Pearl Harbor Day [navy.mil].
Needless to say, Greenspan did not attend.
Re:Invasion! (Score:5, Interesting)
a decade or two ago, when japanese productivity was the marvel of the industrialized world and US supremacy seemed in doubt, the documentation to some US-bound japanese VCR's included instructions on how to set the date, using December 7th as the example date.
The Japanese probably wouldn't have noticed (Score:4, Interesting)
Funny story:
Back when I lived in the US, I had a Japanese housemate who was taking flying lessons at a small airfield nearby. Landing the plane one morning, he managed to bump into a couple of planes parked near the runway. It was nothing serious, but since it happened to be December 7th, he was known as "Kamikaze" from then on...
Re:Invasion! (Score:5, Funny)
Love them more.. (Score:5, Funny)
Officer: Stop!
M$: no!
Officer: So, Be it.. we must Kungfoo Figh!...
Then out of no where
Re:Love them more.. (Score:5, Funny)
MS: Umm... no?
Re:Love them more.. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Love them more.. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Love them more.. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Love them more.. (Score:5, Funny)
Bill Gates: I call on MicrosoftZords!
*observe cheezy stock footage of Internet Explorer, Office, Media Player, IIS, and DirectX robots prance around for next to forever and combine into XPMegaZord. Wields DRM Sword and Product Activation Shield*
Officer: We send Godzilla, Mothra, and Barbara Striesand!
Bill Gates: I call on
*more cheezy footage of previous robots joining
Will They Learn? (Score:5, Interesting)
Microsoft's objective hasn't changed since day 1: control.
Microsoft would much rather control a broken protocol than use or contribute to an open one.
Microsoft would rather squash or buy out competitors instead of compete on a level playing field.
The only 2 things that can change this behavior are Open Source and government restrictions, in that order. (Increased public awareness and understanding is considered part of Open Source.)
Long live Open Source!
Re:Will They Learn? (Score:3, Insightful)
when the governments of the world learn that this is how capitalism works.
Re:Will They Learn? (Score:5, Insightful)
I disagree.
There are plenty of companies in the IT world that play fair, work together to form open protocols for the greater good, and don't stoop to what amounts to sabotage (think of how Microsoft has bastardized CSS to protect IE's market dominance) to increase their straglehold on the market.
I'm all for capitalization, but Microsoft doesn't play by any of the rules, written or otherwise, unless they are forced to or it meets their objectives.
Re:Will They Learn? (Score:4, Insightful)
and this is different from the gazillion other corporate whores that exist nowadays how? i'm not just going by the IT world. business is business, and unfortunately, there's a percentage of the population that believes profit > * . what's that, nike? you can get me running shoes that cost you 12 pesos to make but are selling for 200 usd? sweet!! where do i sign?
1 Way (Score:5, Funny)
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA
Re:1 Way (Score:4, Informative)
Too bad I wasn't visiting Tokyo today. If it was a really good raid, maybe I'd have been able to see them throwing papers and hard disks out of the top floors.
(It also might have been a different Microsoft office that's actually closer to Shibuya Station, but I can't give any context for that. It's not really my kind of neighborhood and I don't know it very well, though the Tex-Mex place has a branch there, too.)
Re:1 Way (Score:4, Interesting)
I almost wish whatever was going on at the top level was more pervasive so people knew what was actually going on on a more personal level and make their decisions that way.
That said, I really have no clue what's going on at the top level, I just know if anything is it's all up there, and all the other employees are just trying to produce kick ass products despite what other issues may get in the way.
Re:NEWSFLASH: COMPANY WANTS TO MAKE MONEY!!! (Score:5, Informative)
Thanks goes to the developers of Linux, Apache, MySQL (and other databases), PHP, and others.
And yes, I want my company to make money, which it does. But there are more important things than that, and there are plenty of profitable companies (open source or otherwise) to prove that money can be made hand over fist without resorting to Microsofts tactics.
Re:Will They Learn? (Score:5, Insightful)
And if you review a little Micro-Soft history (hyphen intentional) you'll see that control has always been an underlying factor in their decisions and actions. Bill certainly never said it's about being open, even when the entire software industry was open.
2) Red Hat, SUSE, and Intel to name a few. Intel? Yes, Intel supports many open standards and by and large I'd say they "play by the rules". Are the agressive at business? Absolutely. But does that mean they sabotage open standards (like Microsoft repeatedly does to CSS) to ensure their success? No, they don't.
Make no mistake, the current IT environment (except for open source) is just how Microsoft wants it. They continually do things to keep consumers stupid (like hiding file extensions by default, still! All that does is ensure that everyone and their dog clicks on hot_sex.jpg.exe and gets the latest virus, but it keeps consumers stupid, just the way Microsoft likes it). They continually do things to break standards, knowing that 90% of websites will be designed to Microsofts munged versions of the standard and look great in IE, but somehow not render right in other browsers.
There's plenty more, but it's getting late and you don't want to hear it anyway...
Re:Will They Learn? (Score:4, Insightful)
The problem is that he has strayed too far into the realm of pragmatism. Most of the world is pragmatic, so he gets sympathy from them. It is our job to show him what happens when you forsake all ideals, for a change.
2. (With apologies to any "strict" Keynesians out there) Milton Friedman [colorado.edu]: 'I have called it a "fundamentally subversive doctrine" in a free society, and have said that in such a society, "there is one and only one social responsibility of business-to use it (sic) resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which is to say, engages in open and free competition without deception or fraud."' (boldface and emphasis mine)
Sounds good to me. By this, also sounds like Microsoft needs to get what should come to it.
Re:Will They Learn? (Score:5, Insightful)
I admire what Microsoft has accomplished technologically. XP really is a good operating system, especially considering how young 32 bit GUI operating systems are in the scheme of things.
My point is not what Microsoft has accomplished, but how they've gone about it.
Take for instance their efforts to keep IE on top of the mountain:
1) With CSS they released their own buggy variant of the code, with carefully chosen deviations from the open standard, knowing full well that 90% of websites would be developed to their munged standard instead of the actual open CSS specification. The result they were after? When someone looks at a site in another browser, it mysteriously doesn't render right. "This browser sucks!", they say, as they go back to IE.
Similar tactics were used with HTML, JavaScript, JAVA, XML, and a host of others. Microsoft knows exactly what they are doing in this arena, and it is dirty pool!
2) Using their monopoly status to strongarm computer manufacturers to put IE and only IE on the desktop. Imagine if Microsoft no longer allowed Dell to ship Microsoft OS's on their computers. So, of course, Dell MUST comply, or wither and die on the vine. It took the feds stepping in to sort of stop this particular instance, but they same type of tactics are used against the computer manufacturers continually to meet Microsofts objectives.
3) Claiming IE must be part of the OS and can't be removed. This is a load of crap tantamount to perjury. I have standalone versions of IE 6, 5.5, and 5 that all run independantly on my XP just fine.
Over and over again Microsoft has shown they'll play dirty pool doing whatever they can get away with, very well orchestrated and thought out (as in the case of CSS), unless they are forced by more than an act of congress.
Everyone loses except Microsoft. Yes, Microsoft deserves our appreciation for creating the digital world we have today, but a world of open standards is far preferred from here on out. And Microsoft won't take that future lying down. They'll just plain take the future by lying (and cheating, and stealing, and strongarming, and...).
Re:Will They Learn? (Score:5, Insightful)
The only fair way to approach the problem is to compare the world with and without this tactic. We know what it is with this tactic (spend a few minutes surfing the net, or a few hours designing a site and trying to get it to look right in the different browsers).
If Microsoft played nice with the other children, CSS would be a far more powerful standard, reducing filesizes and load times for all, the energy and time wasted screwing with Microsoft could be spent on more productive things, I wouldn't be wasting my time writing this comment, and new and exciting features could be created as part of the open standard.
Instead we have to settle with what we have, a bunch of half broken, half implemented standards.
And this is just CSS, the problem is just as bad with JavaScript & worse with XML. And no, 99.9% of the sites do not work correctly in Firefox (and it's not because Firefox isn't a good browser, because it's a great browser). I still need to open IE daily for sites with broken JavaScript or pages that only partially render.
Open standards benefit everyone. Period.
2) I read your entire linked post, and can see why the decision makes sense for OEM's. It's a no-brainer for them. But it is a clear case of Microsoft abusing their monopoly status to crush the little guys. Is Microsoft threatened by Linux? You bet. Do they want Dell shipping servers with Red Hat on them? No way.
And the difference between market domination and a monopoly are that one can be abused, the other cannot.
Ford does not have the leverage to go to the gas stations and demand they only sell Ford compatible gas. But that is exactly what Microsoft does, and gets away with in the computer industry. (Ford doesn't have the same type of market dominance as Microsoft. Few do. That is the point.)
3) Bundling is just another abuse of monopoly power and it isn't good for consumers. Microsoft constantly and consistently tries to keep consumers dumb, and they succeed. 90% of the desktops out there don't show file extensions, this is bad for consumers (think virus's, in particular) and good for Microsoft (no one knows what a
I don't want to force open source on people anymore than I want Microsoft jammed down my throat. I should have the right to buy a Dell computer with nothing on it, if I so choose. That isn't (or at least hasn't been) the case.
Here's to the future! May it be open.
Why couldn't the FBI do this? (Score:5, Interesting)
As covered in a previous story here [slashdot.org] , why couldn't the FBI do that on MS's home turf?
I'm willing to bet the anti-trust trial would have made more headway.
Foregin powers (Score:5, Insightful)
At every opportunity it seems the president is reinforcing "his commitment to spreading freedom throughout the world" yet it takes a foreign power to ultimately prove how hollow that sentiment is.
When compared against Europe and Japan, the United States commitment to protecting its citizenry from overbearing coorperate powers is shown lacking time and again. I for one an tired of the hypocrisy.
Its shameful that I have to look to another country with hope that something will be done to curb the monopolistic amoral appetite of these coorperations.
For now I can only say "go Japan!". I'm embarrased by the entire predicament.
Re:Foregin powers (Score:4, Insightful)
I'm glad that foreign governments are taking up the challenge of overseeing these huge international corporations, as they should. Why should the US government be the only authority and take all the blame for imposing sanctions on our home-bred companies.
In fact I foresee that governments will be begin working more closely with each other to regulate corporations by allowing and aiding each other in actions just like this... what better way to avoid reelection scandal regarding local economies and employments rates while still getting the effective results of having regulated locally.
Soon corporations will get the picture that they can't go about doing whatever they want. Regardless of the political environment of one particular country, they will get hit by stiffer sanctions in the rest of the world... where they don't play such a large role in politics and their money isn't nearly as significant.
It's global now boys... you're not in you're own backyard anymore.. time to learn how to play by new rules.
Re:Foregin powers (Score:3, Insightful)
Following your logic it would be a breech of my rights if the government prevented me from shooting my neighbor or digging up his bushes.
It is important to remember there are TWO parties involded here.
Re:Foregin powers (Score:5, Insightful)
You're absolutely right. Businesses should be allowed to do exactly what they want. They should be allowed to get so big and powerful that they can control governments and become a physical, social and economic menace to entire populations. I'm sure you'd like that.
Shee-it.
By the way, it's been said a million times but it looks like it needs to be said a million more times: it's NOT ILLEGAL TO BE A MONOPOLY. It's only illegal to ABUSE A MONOPOLY POSITION. Because abusing a monopoly position leads to serious consequences that can end up destroying not just other related or competing businesses, but a country's entire economy and thus the lives of potentially millions of people. But why would we want to avoid potential economic disasters by regulating abusive monopolies? Hell if I know.
Sometimes the mods really do seem to be smoking something.
Japanese Anti-Monopoly Laws (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Japanese Anti-Monopoly Laws (Score:5, Interesting)
Correction (Score:5, Interesting)
Sweet Buttery Jesus! (Score:5, Funny)
They gave us anime, lots of neat consumer electronics, and Microsoft a slap upside the head. Japan gets two thumbs up from me.
Back to the 1998 (Score:3, Interesting)
Am I the only one who think... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Am I the only one who think... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Am I the only one who think... (Score:4, Insightful)
I've read enough slashdot and yahoo.co.jp articles to have a feel for where that country stands -- to me, it appears as though Japan is no slacker when it comes to keeping the 'net in check... (Heck, a country that offers 45+Mbps ADSL for $30/mo *should* have some clue about policing that network...)
They actually have a spam law -- heck, they've had it for quite some time -- way before us... [slashdot.org]
Sigh... Can't find the article, but I *know* for a fact they've acted on this spam law within months, and fined several companies pretty large fines (~$100k+). So... they're not afraid to pull the trigger...
They've raided Japanese p2p authors, users, and shut down websites [slashdot.org]
Well, you get the drift... They're not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it would appear to me that the government is in no way practicing any "special treatment" -- be it one way or another...
Just my 2 yen...
Re:Am I the only one who think... (Score:5, Interesting)
I think the statement is 'Japan's no slacker when it comes to keeping the nation's monopolies in power.' They'll bust little guys all the time, but only to protect the dinosaurs.
what's improper about the patents? (Score:4, Insightful)
A deal "allowing infringement of one's patent" is more commonly referred to as a "patent license". I don't see anything improper about that
The problem is the monopoly itself, not the specific conditions that Microsoft can impose using that monopoly. Forcing manufacturers to license their patents is no more or less injurious than forcing consumers to pay $200 for Windows XP Home.
Re:what's improper about the patents? (Score:3, Insightful)
Let me first say that I don't know Japan's antitrust legislation, but at least here in the US you're absolutely and completely wrong. Monopolies are not, and have never been, illegal. In fact, many monopolies are well-supported by governments (think about your cable carrier -- chances are, there's only one in your area, and if you want cable you don't get a choice). Monopolies only become a
Re:what's improper about the patents? (Score:3, Interesting)
Where did I say that monopolies are "illegal" in the US? I said that the monopoly is a problem.
In fact, many monopolies are well-supported by governments (think about your cable carrier -- chances are, there's only one in your area, and if you want cable you don't get a choice).
Yes, and those monopolies are usually regul
Coming soon... (Score:3, Funny)
Microsoft Island.
A small island, in international waters, where Microsoft can conspir... err, schem... err, work... without fear of government raids.
C'mon. You just know they're thinking about it...
This is awesome (Score:5, Funny)
Yup (Score:3, Funny)
Details. Speculative. (Score:5, Funny)
1) Microsoft had discovered an ancient form of super-Karate, and was training hordes of minions in the art, with plans to take over the world. But, a lone anti-trust agent, has discovered a long lost form of Karate that is even more powerful. He, a few trusty sidekicks with little fighting experience, and a girl with an unusual aptitude for fighting, raid Microsoft and defeat the faceless hordes. Finally Steve Ballmer himself leaps into the fray for a one-on-one fight to the death with the hero. Ballmer is defeated, and begs to be spared. The girl leaps in to finish him, but the hero holds her back, showing mercy to Ballmer. As the hero and heroine walk away, Ballmer leaps at them with a knife, and the hero sidesteps, and cuts Ballmer in half.
2) Microsoft is fashioning a set of super swords that, if combined, will have the power to
MS Pirated Their Own Software (Score:3, Funny)
Overheard in Redmond... (Score:4, Funny)
You do the rest...
Insight (Score:4, Insightful)
from the nikkei shinbun (Score:5, Informative)
This is where the monopoly bit comes in. Because Microsoft has an OS monopoly the makers have no other choice than to include the OS on their machines, which in order to do so forces them into sign the contract. All of which rubs up against various Japansese antitrust and trade laws.
downside of spam filters (Score:3, Funny)
Comment removed (Score:5, Interesting)
I am wondering... (Score:5, Interesting)
How long.. (Score:4, Funny)
"I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant"
Comment removed (Score:5, Interesting)
Anonymous spokeswoman? (Score:4, Funny)
i read the bbc article and.. (Score:3, Insightful)
nothing sissy about that.
Re:What a bunch of sissies. (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:What a bunch of sissies. (Score:5, Insightful)
Fortunately, American [halliburton.com] companies [bechtel.com] don't [exxonmobil.com] influence [riaa.org] our [mpaa.org] government [dupont.com].
Re:What a bunch of sissies. (Score:4, Insightful)
The article doesn't really say, but I'm thinking it's just that Microsoft stepped on the wrong toes. It's not like Japan is banning Microsoft from doing business in Japan, but more like a little warning. This is less anoying than a flybite to the big MS.
Re:What a bunch of sissies. (Score:4, Insightful)
Matsushita and Sony were both found to have scale monopolies (price-fixing) in Europe. Japanese business is famous not only for its oligopolistic practices (keiretsu), but also its strong influence over the decisions of the modern Japanese government.
Besides, the root comment is an obvious troll. Admit that governments shelter their domestic businesses and move along.
Re:All Your Patents Belong To Us ! (Score:5, Funny)
In A.D. 2004
War was beginning.
NEC: What happen ?
Dell: Somebody set up us the contract.
Dell: We get signal.
NEC: What !
Dell: Main screen turn on.
NEC: It's You !!
Microsoft: How are you gentlemen !!
Microsoft: All your patent are belong to us.
Microsoft: You are on the way to bankruptcy.
NEC: What you say !!
Microsoft: You have no chance to survive make your time.
Microsoft: HA HA HA HA
Japan: Take off every 'cop' !!
Japan: You know what you doing.
Japan: Move 'cop'.
Japan: For great justice.
Re:Hypocripsy (Score:5, Insightful)
Unless you have a first hand experience, I doubt your assertion that the Japanese judicative does not upheld the right of foreign companies (which they have [jpo.go.jp], thanks WIPO and TRIPS).
Next, it seems a bit unlikely to me that someone from the US tries to enforce a patent in Japan by going through a Japanese law-suit instead of a US ligitation. US courts are more than willing to accept a case, when the there is any involvement with a US citizen, US company, or US subsidary.
Not to mention that one had the favour of a American jury.
The enforcement would also be no problem, unless it is a purely local company, which has no business, directly or indirectly, with the US. But I guess, such a company would be hard to find.
oh really? (Score:5, Informative)
I don't have any link handy, but there has been a number of patent cases brought to a court by foregin (read: US) companies. One of my buddies, who used to work for a well-known Japanese electronics company beginning with "h," once told me that this Japanese company's newly established computer (desktop) devision knowingly copied DOS, and after it was discovered the company was tried, and ordered to pay hefty damage to MS, which lead the devision to shut down.
If Japan really is patent outlaw country, why do all the big companies (Sony, Panasonic, Toyota, Honda) own so many patents both in Japan and US? I'd appreciate it if you can explain to me, please.
I don't really have any link to back up my argument, but your knowledge in Japan's Patent laws and enforcement obviously is paper thin.
Re:oh really? (Score:4, Informative)
The US patent law is based on the concept of first-to-discover.
The Japanese patent law is based on first-to-file.
This means Japanese companies are highly encouraged to file patents as soon as possible.
Also, the scope of Japanese patents is VERY different from American patents, and this is what usually leads American companies astray if they already understand they have to be the first to file.
US patents are generally very broadly worded, so the inventor gets the most bang for the buck, so to say. On the other hand, Japanese patents are generally very narrow, and minor variations can call for a completely new patent (changes in the shape of a glass substrate for a laser for example).
So oftentimes, American companies will come to Japan assume broad rights only to be confronted by a Japanese competitor reading the rights according to Japanese law - very narrowly. Japanese courts will, of course, uphold Japanese patent law which is, as mentioned above, narrow and different.
The above reason is why Japanese companies hold so many patents: they have to get patents for each minor variation of a technology if they really want to control it. This (and the below, though I'm not clear on the below) is why Japanese companies have so many patents.
Also, and I can't remember this one in detail, but I _THINK_ I recall there being some stipulation in Japanese patent law that allows (or at least highly encourages) technology licensing. In other words, if one company can license, you must allow all companies to license. Maybe someone can look up the details?
Re:Hypocripsy (Score:5, Insightful)
No. But I have helped prepare the paperwork for a successful patent filing in Japan. The difference between the US and Japan is that you cannot patent bollocks. In this particular case 8 patents for the US ended up being 4 patents in EU and only 1 in Japan.
First: their patent office has not yet degenerated into an approval stamp machine so the patents have to have merit.
Second: they charge an arm and a leg for a patent filing so even large corporations avoid defencive patenting and stuff that has no commercial value is not patented at all.
I usually get flamed by the idealists which still believe in the "small inventor", but I will say it again. This is the way a patent system is supposed to work. A patent is a government guarantee to the inventor that he/she will be capable to exploit the commercial merits of his/her invention. Note the words commercial. So with all due respect I do not see any merits in trying to patent an invention of no commercial merit.
The side effect of this is that the US method of IPR development is reversed. For Japan you first find financial backers for the idea and then patent it.
Re:Hypocripsy (Score:4, Insightful)
It's sort of like in WWII, where we seized Bayer's patents. Except Japan *always does this*.
Re:Hypocripsy (Score:5, Informative)
If you want to really go after the Japanese on patents, at least get your facts straight.
Japan actually has one of the highest rates of corporate patenting ANYWHERE. This is caused largely by corporate guidelines that say "department x must have at least 3 patentable inventions per year."
As a result, Japan's books are filled with tens of thousands of patents for truly mediocre things.
That said this forms the basis of a series of "blocking patents" which are taken quite seriously.
Your claim that "... without such enforcement" is simply wrong.
the moderators who gave you "insightful" should be ashamed. I mean, you're 180 degrees wrong and were just speaking out of your ass out of some quixotic wishful thinking, not facts.
Re:Heh... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Heh... (Score:4, Informative)
No, the katana is there to make his suicide honorable. You see, few people can resist cutting out his/her entrails without quite a bit of screaming and thrashing.
So, the person who his killing him/herself slices himself open, and the assistant will gauge the moment when it looks the guy/gal can't hold a minute longer without howling his/her head off, and then beheads him/her. That way, the person faced death bravely and not whinning like an animal.
as long as we are correcting katakana english... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:other side of the world (Score:5, Insightful)
Are you kidding me? They're getting away with it because it's a foriegn company. Japanese corporations get away with things we'd never dream of in this country. They have no trouble with overreaching corporations as long as they're there own. Japanese trade policy has always seen Japanese Companies and government working hand in hand to pry open foreign markets by every means nessecary, and the nature of the complaints has Japanese coporate complaint all over them.
Re:Pot Calling the Kettle Black (Score:4, Insightful)
I'd suggest you elaborate. A statement this vague and this broad sounds like Flamebait.
Reminds me of a film... (OT) (Score:5, Funny)
(ducks)
See it here [yessirnigel.com].