Professional Summary
Aya Takahashi is a member of the Firm’s IP Tech group in Tokyo.
Practice Focus
Aya focuses her practice on domestic and global data protection and provides regulatory advice to companies across the telecommunications industry, including platforms, online gaming companies, content businesses, connected car companies and e-commerce businesses. She also advises on licensing agreements, customs procedures and the protection and utilization of intellectual property rights.
Aya has experience in cross-border restructuring and insolvency, particularly in relation to the management of intellectual property. She has also been seconded to several global companies — including leading IT and automotive firms — where she focused on privacy issues as well as contract drafting and review.
Representative Clients, Cases or Matters
Privacy and technology:
- Drafted and reviewed privacy policies, data transfer agreements, data processing agreements and other internal privacy documents.
- Advised on personal data protection, consumer protection and other regulations in relation to the global launch of online games.
- Advised online platformers on telecommunication regulations, consumer protection, platform regulations and other relevant regulations.
- Drafted and reviewed software licensing agreements and terms of use.
- Conducted data privacy due diligence in connection with M&A transactions.
Intellectual property:
- Advised global brands regarding the protection of their IP rights against infringers.
- Represented global IT companies in their customs work and advised them on efficient IP right protection strategies in Japan.
- Conducted IP due diligence in connection with M&A transactions.
- Drafted and negotiated IP assignment agreements, licensing agreements and co-development agreements.
Restructuring and insolvency
- Represented a multinational airline with respect to its bankruptcy proceedings in Japan.
- Represented a multinational airline with respect to its court proceedings seeking recognition of and assistance in foreign insolvency proceedings.
- Advised global and domestic companies on the protection of IP rights in the event of the insolvency of a licensor/licensee.
Publications, Presentations and Articles
- Co-author, “Inherent Conflict between Arbitration and Bankruptcy – US/UK’s Harmonization Efforts and Their Practical Implications for Japanese Law,” JCA Journal, Japan Commercial Arbitration Association, August 2021, Language: Japanese
Admissions
Japan (2017)
Professional Association and Memberships
- Tokyo Bar Association – Member
Education
King’s College London (LLM in Intellectual Property & Information Law pathway) (2024)
Hitotsubashi University Law School (J.D.)(2016)
Tohoku University (LL.B.)(2014)
Languages
Japanese, English