[1st MIKOTAMA Case Law Study Session]
We will be holding an event titled "Exploring the Specific Criteria for 'Substantial Identicality' under Article 2, Paragraph 1, Item 3 of the Unfair Competition Prevention Act - Based on the Latest Fashion Product Examples."
[November 20, 2026 (Thursday) 15:00~]

Article 2, Paragraph 1, Item 3 of the Unfair Competition Prevention Act, which frequently appears in cases of counterfeit fashion products, regulates acts that rely on the form of another person's product and create a form that is substantially identical to it (Article 2, Paragraph 5). Of these, there has been much debate about what criteria should be used to determine "substantial identity" and what factors should be emphasized.
In this study session, lawyer Tahara, a former judge who has handled numerous fashion-related cases, and lawyer Ebisawa, who focuses on fashion law, will delve into the specific criteria for "substantial identity" through the latest cases and court precedents.

Furthermore, a social gathering is planned after the study session, where attendees can network with each other.
Legal professionals, lawyers, legal trainees, and bar exam candidates interested in fashion law, fashion-related cases, or Article 2, Paragraph 1, Item 3 of the Unfair Competition Prevention Act are encouraged to participate.

Your First Class

▼Event Overview

・Date and time: Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 15:00

• Theme: "Exploring the specific criteria for 'substantial identity' under Article 2, Paragraph 1, Item 3 of the Unfair Competition Prevention Act – drawing on recent fashion product examples"

Cases and court precedents to be covered:
　- The settlement case between Mash Style Lab and GRL
　- Tokyo District Court judgment, May 29, 2025 / Intellectual Property High Court judgment, January 26, 2026, and others.
　
• Program: Doors open at 14:30
　　　　　　　15:00-15:05 Opening remarks
　　　　　　　15:05-16:30 Case presentation and discussion by lawyers Tahara and Ebisawa.
　　　　　　　16:30～17:00 Q&A
　　　　　　　17:00-18:00 Social gathering (for those attending in person only)

• Target audience: Legal staff, lawyers, legal apprentices, and bar exam candidates

・Lecturer
　Minako Tahara (Attorney at Law, Mimura Komatsu Law Office)
　Graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo. Appointed as a judge in 1996. Served at the Osaka District Court, Tokyo High Court, and other courts. Retired in 2024 and registered as a lawyer.
　Joined Mimura Komatsu Law Office in August 2024. Provides accurate advice and strategic legal services, leveraging a deep understanding of litigation practices, primarily in the areas of intellectual property and litigation.

　Miyuki Ebisawa (Attorney at Law, Mimura Komatsu Law Office / Fashion Editor)
　Graduated from Keio University Faculty of Law. After working at the Ministry of Home Affairs (now the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications), a publishing company, and as a stylist, she was admitted to the bar in 2017.
　Leveraging her diverse career experience, she focuses on "fashion law," which deals with legal issues related to the fashion industry and the fashion business.

　・ Participation fee: Free

[If participating at the venue]
Those who can participate at the venueApplication formOnly those who have requested to participate in person will be able to attend.
If the number of applicants exceeds the capacity, we will hold a lottery. Successful applicants will be notified by email, and unsuccessful applicants will be sent an email with the online streaming URL attached.

*If you are attending in person, we will ask you to submit a business card at the reception.

・日時：2026年8月20日（木）15:00～18:00 予定 （17:00〜18:00 懇親会）
·venue:Mimura Komatsu Law Office(Meiji Seimei Kan ６th Floor,２-１-１ Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo）
・Capacity: 25 people (if the capacity is exceeded, a lottery will be held)　　　

[If you are participating online:
A viewing URL will be sent to the email address you registered when you applied.
When the time comes, please join us via the streaming URL that was sent to you via email.

Date and time: Thursday, February 20, 2026, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM (scheduled) 
・Capacity: 150 people

Your First Class

What is the MIKOTAMA Case Law Study Group?

This study group will focus on important recent court precedents, with a lawyer who is a former judge providing clear explanations based on the court's decision-making process and the judge's perspective. The aim is to deepen understanding of the scope of the precedents, their impact on practice, and future issues, while also sharing diverse viewpoints and practical challenges through discussions with participating lawyers and corporate legal professionals.
This is a practical study group that goes beyond simply explaining case law, aiming to gain new insights and perspectives through interactive discussions.