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<Elementary> Lesson No.15

Technical Partnership Contract Negotiation with Overseas Partner / 海外パートナーとの技術提携契約交渉

0.Greetings & Ice-break (2min.)|挨拶と導入

 

0-1 Greetings

Let’s practice a short small talk that you can use to greet a business partner and start building a good relationship.

講師との挨拶を兼ねて、ビジネスパートナーと信頼関係を築くための短いスモールトークを練習してみましょう。

[Tips / 会話のヒント]

・Can you hear me clearly? 

 私の声はクリアに聞こえますか?
・How's your day going so far?

 今日はどんな一日でしたか?
・Talk about one small topic (Work, Weather, News, Hometown, Sports event, etc.)

 軽い話題について話しましょう(仕事、天気、ニュース、地元、スポーツイベントなど)

0-2 Introduction​

In today’s lesson, we’ll learn about the following situation. Have you ever experienced something similar?

本日のレッスンでは以下のようなシチュエーションについて学びます。同様のシチュエーションを経験したことがありますか?​

​​

- If you have experience, please tell us what it was like, what was difficult, or what you learned.

   経験があれば、どんな内容だったか、難しかったことや学んだことなどを教えて下さい。 

- If you don’t have experience, try to imagine yourself handling that situation in English.

  What do you think would be challenging?

  経験がなければ、英語でその状況に対応しているところを想像してみましょう。どんなことが難しそうですか?

Situation / シチュエーション

This involves negotiating technical rights, obligations, and responsibilities in technology partnership contracts with overseas companies.
海外企業との技術提携契約において、技術的権利義務や責任範囲について交渉する場面です。

1. Read (2 min)|型を学ぶ
Let's read the following key sentences aloud!
下記の文章や単語を順番に音読しましょう!

1-1 Basic phrases
1.We propose that background IP remains with...(背景知的財産は...に帰属することを提案する)
2.We will provide design specifications...(設計仕様書を提供する...)
3.We will not share our core...(当社のコアとなる...は共有しない)
4.Let me explain the reason...(理由を説明させてください...)
5.We propose a shared responsibility model...(共同責任モデルを提案する...)
6.If the defect results from...(欠陥が...に起因する場合)
7.We will prepare a detailed role matrix before...(...の前に詳細な役割マトリックスを準備する)

1-2 Essential words
1.provide(提供する)
2.share(共有する)
3.explain(説明する)
4.resolve(解決する)
5.handle(対応する)
6.prepare(準備する)
7.focus(注力する)
8.check(確認する)
9.detailed(詳細な)
10.efficient(効率的な)
2. Try  (3 min)|ロールプレイ練習

Let’s practice the role-play.

ロールプレイの練習をしましょう!

Situation / シチュエーション(Reference again)

This involves negotiating technical rights, obligations, and responsibilities in technology partnership contracts with overseas companies.
海外企業との技術提携契約において、技術的権利義務や責任範囲について交渉する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
Thank you for meeting today. We need to discuss the technical rights and responsibilities in our partnership agreement. Could you explain your company's position on intellectual property ownership?
(本日はお時間をいただきありがとうございます。提携契約における技術的な権利と責任について話し合う必要があります。知的財産権の所有に関する貴社の立場を説明していただけますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Development Engineer】:
Certainly. First, we propose that background IP remains with each party. Second, foreground IP developed jointly should be co-owned. Third, we need clear rules for technical information disclosure. This approach protects both sides while enabling effective collaboration.
(承知しました。第一に、背景知的財産は各当事者に帰属することを提案します。第二に、共同開発された成果知的財産は共有とすべきです。第三に、技術情報の開示に関する明確なルールが必要です。このアプローチは双方を保護しつつ、効果的な協力を可能にします。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
I understand your proposal. However, we are concerned about the scope of technical information you will share with us. What specific data will you provide during the development phase?
(ご提案は理解しました。しかし、私たちに共有していただける技術情報の範囲について懸念があります。開発段階で具体的にどのようなデータを提供していただけますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Development Engineer】:
We will provide design specifications, test results, and manufacturing process guidelines. We will not share our core algorithm or supplier information. Let me explain the reason — these are essential to our competitive advantage and cannot be included in the disclosure scope.
(設計仕様書、試験結果、製造プロセスのガイドラインを提供いたします。コアアルゴリズムやサプライヤー情報は共有いたしません。理由を説明させてください。これらは当社の競争優位性に不可欠であり、開示範囲に含めることはできません。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
That makes sense, but we need to confirm the technical responsibilities. If a defect occurs in the joint product, who will handle the resolution and bear the cost?
(それは理にかなっていますが、技術的責任を確認する必要があります。共同製品に欠陥が発生した場合、誰が解決を担当し、費用を負担しますか?)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Development Engineer】:
We propose a shared responsibility model. If the defect results from our component, we will resolve it and cover the cost. If it results from your component, you will handle it. For defects in jointly developed parts, we will share the resolution work and split the cost equally. This ensures fair responsibility allocation.
(共同責任モデルを提案します。欠陥が当社の部品に起因する場合、当社が解決し費用を負担します。貴社の部品に起因する場合は、貴社が対応します。共同開発部分の欠陥については、解決作業を共有し、費用を均等に分担します。これにより公平な責任配分が保証されます。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
Your explanation is clear and reasonable. One more point — how will you manage technical role allocation in the joint development? We want to avoid overlapping work and confusion.
(ご説明は明確で合理的です。もう1点、共同開発における技術的役割分担をどのように管理されますか?作業の重複や混乱を避けたいと考えています。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Development Engineer】:
We will prepare a detailed role matrix before we begin. Your team will focus on system integration and regulatory compliance. Our team will focus on core component design and testing. We will set up monthly review meetings to check progress and resolve any issues. This structure will keep both teams aligned and efficient.
(開始前に詳細な役割マトリックスを準備いたします。貴社チームはシステム統合と規制対応に注力していただきます。当社チームはコア部品の設計と試験に注力します。進捗確認と問題解決のため、月次レビュー会議を設定します。この体制により両チームの連携と効率性が維持されます。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
Excellent. Your proposal addresses our main concerns about IP ownership, information disclosure, responsibility allocation, and role clarity. Let me review this with our legal team, and I will get back to you by the end of this week. I appreciate your thorough preparation.
(素晴らしいです。貴社の提案は、知的財産権の所有、情報開示、責任配分、役割の明確化に関する私たちの主な懸念に対応しています。法務チームと検討し、今週末までにご連絡いたします。入念な準備に感謝します。)
3. Use  (4 min)|ロールプレイ & 実践(空欄補完)

Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

Situation / シチュエーション(Reference again)

This involves negotiating technical rights, obligations, and responsibilities in technology partnership contracts with overseas companies.
海外企業との技術提携契約において、技術的権利義務や責任範囲について交渉する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
Thank you for meeting today. We need to discuss the technical rights and responsibilities in our partnership agreement. Could you explain your company's position on intellectual property ownership?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Development Engineer】:
Certainly. First, we propose that background IP remains with each party. Second, foreground IP developed jointly should be co-owned. Third, we need clear rules for technical information disclosure. This approach protects both sides while enabling effective collaboration.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
I understand your proposal. However, we are concerned about the scope of technical information you will share with us. What specific data will you provide during the development phase?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Development Engineer】:
We will [提供する] design specifications, test results, and manufacturing process guidelines. We will not [共有する] our core algorithm or supplier information. Let me [説明する] the reason — these are essential to our competitive advantage and cannot be included in the disclosure scope.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
That makes sense, but we need to confirm the technical responsibilities. If a defect occurs in the joint product, who will handle the resolution and bear the cost?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Development Engineer】:
We propose a shared responsibility model. If the defect results from our component, we will [解決する] it and cover the cost. If it results from your component, you will [対応する] it. For defects in jointly developed parts, we will [共有する] the resolution work and split the cost equally. This ensures fair responsibility allocation.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
Your explanation is clear and reasonable. One more point — how will you manage technical role allocation in the joint development? We want to avoid overlapping work and confusion.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Development Engineer】:
We will [準備する] a [詳細な] role matrix before we begin. Your team will [注力する] on system integration and regulatory compliance. Our team will [注力する] on core component design and testing. We will set up monthly review meetings to [確認する] progress and resolve any issues. This structure will keep both teams aligned and [効率的な].

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
Excellent. Your proposal addresses our main concerns about IP ownership, information disclosure, responsibility allocation, and role clarity. Let me review this with our legal team, and I will get back to you by the end of this week. I appreciate your thorough preparation.
4. Challenge (7 min)|応用実践

Let's perform the role-play and fill in the blanks by translating the Japanese into English!
空欄の日本語を英語に訳しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

*Let's practice this part repeatedly until we can speak it smoothly.

  このパートはスムーズにスピーキングできるようになるまで繰り返し練習しましょう。

Situation / シチュエーション(Reference again)

This involves negotiating technical rights, obligations, and responsibilities in technology partnership contracts with overseas companies.
海外企業との技術提携契約において、技術的権利義務や責任範囲について交渉する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
Thank you for meeting today. We need to discuss the technical rights and responsibilities in our partnership agreement. Could you explain your company's position on intellectual property ownership?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Development Engineer】:
Certainly. [第一に、背景知的財産は各当事者に帰属することを提案します。] Second, foreground IP developed jointly should be co-owned. Third, we need clear rules for technical information disclosure. This approach protects both sides while enabling effective collaboration.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
I understand your proposal. However, we are concerned about the scope of technical information you will share with us. What specific data will you provide during the development phase?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Development Engineer】:
[設計仕様書、試験結果、製造プロセスのガイドラインを提供いたします。] We will not share our core algorithm or supplier information. [理由を説明させてください。] These are essential to our competitive advantage and cannot be included in the disclosure scope.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
That makes sense, but we need to confirm the technical responsibilities. If a defect occurs in the joint product, who will handle the resolution and bear the cost?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Development Engineer】:
[共同責任モデルを提案します。] If the defect results from our component, we will resolve it and cover the cost. If it results from your component, you will handle it. For defects in jointly developed parts, we will share the resolution work and split the cost equally. This ensures fair responsibility allocation.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
Your explanation is clear and reasonable. One more point — how will you manage technical role allocation in the joint development? We want to avoid overlapping work and confusion.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Development Engineer】:
We will prepare a detailed role matrix before we begin. Your team will focus on system integration and regulatory compliance. Our team will focus on core component design and testing. We will set up monthly review meetings to check progress and resolve any issues. This structure will keep both teams aligned and efficient.

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
Excellent. Your proposal addresses our main concerns about IP ownership, information disclosure, responsibility allocation, and role clarity. Let me review this with our legal team, and I will get back to you by the end of this week. I appreciate your thorough preparation.
\ If you have some extra capacity, give it a try(余力があればやってみましょう)/
5. Real-world application (5 min)|実務応用

Let's speak freely with the phrases and flow we learned today. If you can, imagine your real job—it makes practice more effective.
本日学習した単語やフレーズ、会話の流れを思い出しながら、自由に話してみましょう。可能であれば、自身の実務を想像しながら話すと効果的です。​

Situation / シチュエーション
You are negotiating a technical partnership agreement with an overseas medical device company.
The discussion focuses on intellectual property rights, technical information disclosure scope, responsibility allocation for defects, and role clarity in joint development.
海外の医療機器企業との技術提携契約を交渉しています。
知的財産権、技術情報の開示範囲、欠陥に対する責任配分、共同開発における役割の明確化について話し合います。

👨‍💼【Teacher / Licensing Manager】:
Thank you for joining this negotiation session. Could you explain your company's approach to managing intellectual property and technical responsibilities in our partnership?
(交渉の場にご参加いただきありがとうございます。提携における知的財産と技術的責任の管理に関する貴社のアプローチを説明していただけますか?)

🧑‍🎓【Student / Your Role】:
(Free Speaking based on today's lesson)

Hints / ヒント
1.Explain the IP ownership structure(知的財産権の所有構造を説明する)
2.Describe the technical information disclosure scope(技術情報の開示範囲を述べる)
3.Clarify the responsibility allocation model(責任配分モデルを明確にする)
4.Present the role allocation plan(役割分担計画を提示する)
​※This is not a role-play. Please speak until you finish your thoughts.
 このパートはロールプレイ形式ではありません。最後まで通して話してみましょう。
6.  Wrap-up (2 min) |レッスンの振り返り

Let's review today's lesson with your teacher!
今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう!

 

6-1 Comments from student

・Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ
・Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ

 

6-2 Feedback from teacher

・Good points / 良かった点
・Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント
・What to review / 復習ポイント

 

*6-3 Questions from student (if any)

Japanese translation(日本語訳)

1. Read (2min)(型を学ぶ)|基本フレーズ

2. Try  (4min)(ロールプレイ練習)|型を使った練習
Let’s practice the role-play.
ロールプレイの練習をしましょう!

3. Use  (7min)|応用
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

4. Challenge (7min)|実践
Let’s perform the role-play and filling in the missing English!
英語を補完しながら、ロールプレイを実践してみましょう!

5. Wrap-up (3min) – レッスンの振り返り

"Let’s review today’s lesson with your teacher!”

「今日のレッスンについて講師と振り返ってみましょう!」

5-1.  Comments from Student

  - Good points / 良かったところ・上手くできたところ

  - Things to work on / 今後強化したいところ

5-2.  Feedback from Teacher

  - Good points / 良かった点

  - Things to work on / 今後の強化ポイント

  - What to review / 復習ポイント

5-3. Question from Students (If any)

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