【Research Center for the Legal System of Intellectual Property】

Activities

Flying over Siberia

RA Asuka Gomi

I am in a flight for London. I fell asleep after the in-flight meal, but just woke up. It seems the airplane is now flying over Siberia. A white land extends all around below us.

It is tough to take time from my busy work schedule to visit Europe. I managed to squeeze out 10 vacation days. But I had to finish all the work for the 10 days in advance. Otherwise, I must end up doing with the work in Europe where I am supposed to enjoy myself. Therefore, my workload doubled for these two weeks. I thought I was going to die, but I survived. Finally, I reached the skies over Siberia. Europe is just around the corner. I have tears coming in my eyes.

The object of the visit to Europe this time is to research on EC's design system. I will visit the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market in Spain and meet researchers and practitioners in the U.K. I hope I can conduct meaningful interviews. Furthermore, I will participate in an international meeting of practitioners in London. I hope I can enhance my knowledge there. However, after coming this far, I realized that something was wrong. It is not important to meet someone or participate in something. The most important thing is the free ten days. Blank ten days lie ahead. They lie ahead waving to me, saying, "Do research!" It is such a tough thing.

The EU design system is a new design protection system. Europe has a long history of design protection. Each nation has dealt with the issue with each unique policy. But now, those European nations came to unite for a common purpose. It is such an epoch-making incident. However, in Japan, only some practitioners have a certain understanding that Europe established quite a convenient system. I think not so many people have done a comparative research like comparing the basic theory of EU design system with Japan's design law. In other words, I am now standing in front of the untouched land. The land says it needs to be plowed (that is what I think). In addition, I have a bit of time (that is what I think). Ok, I have to do my best (that is what I am starting to think).

Even though the land is icy like Siberia, I will make it melt with my intensity.

Showing my enthusiasm a bit, this column will end. Another in-flight meal came to me, so I have to concentrate on the food first.