Basic Policy on Information Management and Quality Management

M&Partners IP, P.C. handles clients' unpublished inventions, technical information, business plans, brand strategies and other important information through its services relating to patents, trademarks, designs and other intellectual property matters.

We recognize that such information constitutes important assets directly connected to our clients' competitiveness and corporate value. We therefore regard information management, quality management, professional development, compliance and business continuity as essential foundations of our intellectual property services.

1. Basic Approach

In order to provide stable and continuous professional services in the field of intellectual property, we place importance on protecting information received from our clients, maintaining and improving service quality, developing professional personnel, and complying with applicable laws and professional ethics.

We also continuously review and improve our management framework in light of changes in technology, legal systems, social expectations and client needs.

2. Information Management and Confidentiality

We comply with confidentiality obligations under the Patent Attorneys Act and other applicable laws and regulations, and appropriately manage information received from our clients.

With respect to electronic data, we strive to reduce risks such as information leakage, loss and unauthorized access through access control, backups, anti-malware measures, and appropriate operation of email and file-sharing systems.

With respect to paper documents, we also strive to maintain confidentiality at each stage of storage, use and disposal.

The handling of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy.

3. Cybersecurity

As a professional firm handling unpublished inventions, pre-filing information, office action response materials, contract-related information and other important information, we regard cybersecurity as one of our important management issues.

We conduct continuous checks and improvements with respect to our business systems, email, file management, backups, network environment and related matters, and strive to reduce risks such as cyberattacks, malware infection, spoofed emails and system failures.

If an issue occurs, we endeavor to promptly confirm the scope of impact, restore affected operations, and provide appropriate notices to relevant parties.

We also refer to international information security management standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, and strive to develop and improve a management framework suited to our actual operations, including information asset management, access control, backups, log management, vendor management and incident response.

4. Deadline Management and Quality Management

We recognize that deadline management is of critical importance in intellectual property practice, and manage deadlines, progress and response status for each matter.

In patent, trademark and design applications, office action responses, trials and appeals, foreign filings, opinions, searches and other services, we strive to maintain and improve service quality through document review, matter-specific analysis, and, where appropriate, review by more than one person.

We also place importance on practical services that go beyond formal procedural handling, taking into account the client's business objectives, technical details, IP strategy and the nature of each matter.

Documents generated with generative AI are handled in accordance with our Policy on the Handling of Documents Generated with Generative AI, on the premise that such documents are reviewed and reconstructed by professionals.

5. Professional Development and Maintenance of Expertise

We believe that the quality of intellectual property services is supported by the expertise, experience, judgment and continuous learning of the personnel in charge.

We strive to ensure that patent attorneys and staff members continuously learn about domestic and foreign intellectual property systems, examination practice, case law, technological trends, foreign practice, information security and related matters, and maintain and improve their professional expertise.

We also seek to improve practical capabilities through internal information sharing, on-the-job training, external training, and activities in professional organizations.

6. Compliance and Response to Client and Supplier Codes of Conduct

We comply with the Patent Attorneys Act, the Unfair Competition Prevention Act, the Act on the Protection of Personal Information and other applicable laws and regulations, and conduct our business fairly and sincerely.

We also endeavor to operate responsibly as professionals, including by checking conflicts of interest, appropriately handling personal information, preventing harassment, excluding relationships with antisocial forces, and giving due consideration to foreign laws and economic sanctions.

With respect to codes of conduct, procurement policies, supplier standards and similar requirements established by clients and business partners, we endeavor to review and respond to them in good faith, taking into account the nature of our services and the applicable scope.

7. Business Continuity and Continuous Improvement

In the event of a disaster, infectious disease outbreak, system failure or other emergency, we strive to continue important operations to the extent possible by maintaining our deadline management framework, preserving business data, and securing multiple means of communication.

For specific initiatives relating to business continuity, please also see our Business Continuity Plan (BCP).

We will continuously review our initiatives relating to information management, quality management, professional development, compliance and business continuity, and make improvements as necessary.