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<Upper-Intermediate> Lesson No.20

Intellectual Property Rights Discussion with Overseas Technology Partner / 海外技術パートナーとの知的財産権協議

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

Negotiating intellectual property rights and usage scope for construction technologies jointly developed with overseas technical partners.
海外技術パートナーとの共同開発技術について、知的財産権の帰属と活用範囲を交渉する場面です。

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 acknowledge that...(...を認識している)
2.Let me outline our proposed framework for...(...の提案する枠組みを説明させてください)
3.We propose a joint ownership model where...(...という共同所有モデルを提案する)
4.We can establish a framework where...(...という枠組みを確立できる)
5.We commit to strict confidentiality under...(...のもとで厳格な機密保持を約束する)
6.We can include an exit clause with...(...を伴う離脱条項を含めることができる)
7.This provides flexibility while ensuring...(...を確保しながら柔軟性を提供する)

1-2 Essential words
1.appreciate(感謝する)
2.critical(重要な)
3.clarify(明確にする)
4.utilize(活用する)
5.establish(確立する)
6.commit(約束する)
7.forfeit(放棄する)
8.assess(査定する)
9.proceed(進める)
10.finalize(確定する)
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)

Negotiating intellectual property rights and usage scope for construction technologies jointly developed with overseas technical partners.
海外技術パートナーとの共同開発技術について、知的財産権の帰属と活用範囲を交渉する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
Thank you for meeting today. We need to discuss the intellectual property rights that emerged from our joint development. Our company has concerns about the ownership structure and usage scope.
(本日はお時間をいただきありがとうございます。共同開発から生まれた知的財産権について協議する必要があります。弊社は所有権の構造と使用範囲について懸念を抱いています。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Project Manager】:
I appreciate your raising this matter. We acknowledge that clear IP allocation is critical for both parties. Let me outline our proposed framework for shared ownership and licensing terms that protect mutual interests.
(この件を提起いただき感謝します。明確な知的財産の配分が双方にとって重要であることを認識しています。相互の利益を保護する共有所有権とライセンス条件の枠組みを説明させてください。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
We appreciate your approach. However, we must clarify the commercial value of the technology. Our policy requires that core patents remain under our control, with limited licensing to partners.
(そのアプローチには感謝します。しかし、技術の商業的価値を明確にする必要があります。弊社のポリシーでは、中核特許は弊社の管理下に置き、パートナーへのライセンスは制限されます。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Project Manager】:
I understand your position on core patents. We propose a joint ownership model where both parties hold equal rights to the construction method patents. Each company can utilize the technology in their respective markets without additional fees. This ensures fair access while protecting your core IP. We can define exclusive territories to avoid market conflicts.
(中核特許に関する貴社の立場は理解しています。建設工法特許については双方が平等な権利を保有する共同所有モデルを提案します。各社は追加料金なしでそれぞれの市場で技術を活用できます。これにより貴社の中核知的財産を保護しながら公平なアクセスが確保されます。市場の競合を避けるため独占地域を定義できます。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
Your territorial proposal is reasonable. But we are concerned about future applications beyond construction. If the technology evolves into other industries, we need clear guidelines on derivative rights and revenue sharing.
(地域に関する提案は妥当です。しかし建設以外の将来的な応用について懸念があります。技術が他の産業に発展した場合、派生権利と収益配分に関する明確なガイドラインが必要です。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Project Manager】:
That is a valid concern. We can establish a framework where derivative applications require mutual consent. Any revenue from new industries would be split based on each party's contribution to the original development. We suggest a 60-40 split reflecting our initial investment ratio. This protects both parties' long-term interests.
(それは妥当な懸念です。派生的応用には相互の同意を必要とする枠組みを確立できます。新産業からの収益は元の開発への各当事者の貢献に基づいて分配されます。当初の投資比率を反映した60対40の配分を提案します。これにより双方の長期的利益が保護されます。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
The revenue split seems fair given your investment. We also need to address confidentiality and third-party licensing. Can you confirm your policy on sublicensing to other contractors?
(投資額を考慮すると収益配分は公平に思えます。機密保持と第三者へのライセンス供与についても対処する必要があります。他の請負業者へのサブライセンスに関する貴社のポリシーを確認できますか。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Project Manager】:
We commit to strict confidentiality under a mutual non-disclosure agreement. Regarding sublicensing, we propose that neither party can grant licenses to third parties without written approval from the other. This prevents unauthorized technology transfer and maintains competitive advantage. We can include penalty clauses for violations to ensure compliance.
(相互秘密保持契約のもとで厳格な機密保持を約束します。サブライセンスに関しては、いずれの当事者も相手方の書面による承認なしに第三者にライセンスを付与できないことを提案します。これにより無許可の技術移転が防止され競争上の優位性が維持されます。違反に対する罰則条項を含めることでコンプライアンスを確保できます。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
The sublicensing restriction is acceptable. One final point: what happens if one party wants to exit the agreement? We need a clear buyout mechanism.
(サブライセンスの制限は受け入れられます。最後の点として、一方の当事者が契約から離脱したい場合はどうなりますか。明確な買取メカニズムが必要です。)
🧑‍🎓【Student / Project Manager】:
We can include an exit clause with a 2-year notice period. The exiting party would retain rights to use the technology in existing projects but forfeit rights to future applications. The remaining party can purchase full ownership at fair market value, assessed by an independent evaluator. This provides flexibility while ensuring continuity.
(2年間の通知期間を伴う離脱条項を含めることができます。離脱する当事者は既存プロジェクトでの技術使用権を保持しますが、将来の応用に対する権利は放棄します。残存する当事者は独立評価者が査定する公正市場価格で完全所有権を購入できます。これにより継続性を確保しながら柔軟性が提供されます。)

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
Your proposal addresses our main concerns effectively. I believe we can proceed with drafting a formal agreement based on these terms. Let us schedule a follow-up meeting with our legal teams to finalize the details.
(貴社の提案は弊社の主な懸念に効果的に対処しています。これらの条件に基づいて正式な契約書の起草を進められると思います。詳細を確定するため法務チームを交えたフォローアップ会議を設定しましょう。)
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)

Negotiating intellectual property rights and usage scope for construction technologies jointly developed with overseas technical partners.
海外技術パートナーとの共同開発技術について、知的財産権の帰属と活用範囲を交渉する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
Thank you for meeting today. We need to discuss the intellectual property rights that emerged from our joint development. Our company has concerns about the ownership structure and usage scope.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Project Manager】:
I [感謝する] your raising this matter. We acknowledge that clear IP allocation is [重要な] for both parties. Let me outline our proposed framework for shared ownership and licensing terms that protect mutual interests.

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
We appreciate your approach. However, we must clarify the commercial value of the technology. Our policy requires that core patents remain under our control, with limited licensing to partners.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Project Manager】:
I understand your position on core patents. We propose a joint ownership model where both parties hold equal rights to the construction method patents. Each company can [活用する] the technology in their respective markets without additional fees. This ensures fair access while protecting your core IP. We can define exclusive territories to avoid market conflicts.

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
Your territorial proposal is reasonable. But we are concerned about future applications beyond construction. If the technology evolves into other industries, we need clear guidelines on derivative rights and revenue sharing.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Project Manager】:
That is a valid concern. We can [確立する] a framework where derivative applications require mutual consent. Any revenue from new industries would be split based on each party's contribution to the original development. We suggest a 60-40 split reflecting our initial investment ratio. This protects both parties' long-term interests.

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
The revenue split seems fair given your investment. We also need to address confidentiality and third-party licensing. Can you confirm your policy on sublicensing to other contractors?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Project Manager】:
We [約束する] to strict confidentiality under a mutual non-disclosure agreement. Regarding sublicensing, we propose that neither party can grant licenses to third parties without written approval from the other. This prevents unauthorized technology transfer and maintains competitive advantage. We can include penalty clauses for violations to ensure compliance.

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
The sublicensing restriction is acceptable. One final point: what happens if one party wants to exit the agreement? We need a clear buyout mechanism.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Project Manager】:
We can include an exit clause with a 2-year notice period. The exiting party would retain rights to use the technology in existing projects but [放棄する] rights to future applications. The remaining party can purchase full ownership at fair market value, [査定する]d by an independent evaluator. This provides flexibility while ensuring continuity.

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
Your proposal addresses our main concerns effectively. I believe we can proceed with drafting a formal agreement based on these terms. Let us schedule a follow-up meeting with our legal teams to finalize the details.
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)

Negotiating intellectual property rights and usage scope for construction technologies jointly developed with overseas technical partners.
海外技術パートナーとの共同開発技術について、知的財産権の帰属と活用範囲を交渉する場面です。

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
Thank you for meeting today. We need to discuss the intellectual property rights that emerged from our joint development. Our company has concerns about the ownership structure and usage scope.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Project Manager】:
I appreciate your raising this matter. [明確な知的財産の配分が双方にとって重要であることを認識しています。] [相互の利益を保護する共有所有権とライセンス条件の枠組みを説明させてください。]

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
We appreciate your approach. However, we must clarify the commercial value of the technology. Our policy requires that core patents remain under our control, with limited licensing to partners.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Project Manager】:
I understand your position on core patents. [建設工法特許については双方が平等な権利を保有する共同所有モデルを提案します。] Each company can utilize the technology in their respective markets without additional fees. This ensures fair access while protecting your core IP. We can define exclusive territories to avoid market conflicts.

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
Your territorial proposal is reasonable. But we are concerned about future applications beyond construction. If the technology evolves into other industries, we need clear guidelines on derivative rights and revenue sharing.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Project Manager】:
That is a valid concern. [派生的応用には相互の同意を必要とする枠組みを確立できます。] Any revenue from new industries would be split based on each party's contribution to the original development. We suggest a 60-40 split reflecting our initial investment ratio. This protects both parties' long-term interests.

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
The revenue split seems fair given your investment. We also need to address confidentiality and third-party licensing. Can you confirm your policy on sublicensing to other contractors?
🧑‍🎓【Student / Project Manager】:
We commit to strict confidentiality under a mutual non-disclosure agreement. Regarding sublicensing, we propose that neither party can grant licenses to third parties without written approval from the other. This prevents unauthorized technology transfer and maintains competitive advantage. We can include penalty clauses for violations to ensure compliance.

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
The sublicensing restriction is acceptable. One final point: what happens if one party wants to exit the agreement? We need a clear buyout mechanism.
🧑‍🎓【Student / Project Manager】:
We can include an exit clause with a 2-year notice period. The exiting party would retain rights to use the technology in existing projects but forfeit rights to future applications. The remaining party can purchase full ownership at fair market value, assessed by an independent evaluator. This provides flexibility while ensuring continuity.

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
Your proposal addresses our main concerns effectively. I believe we can proceed with drafting a formal agreement based on these terms. Let us schedule a follow-up meeting with our legal teams to finalize the details.
\ 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 discussing intellectual property rights from a joint development project with your technology partner.
The partner has concerns about ownership structure, usage scope, and future application rights.
海外技術パートナーとの共同開発で生まれた知的財産権について協議しています。
パートナーは所有権の構造、使用範囲、将来の応用権利について懸念を持っています。

👨‍💼【Teacher / IP Director】:
We need to finalize the IP agreement for our joint development. Can you explain your proposed ownership model and licensing framework?
(共同開発の知的財産契約を確定する必要があります。提案する所有権モデルとライセンス枠組み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. Outline the joint ownership structure
2. Clarify usage rights in different markets
3. Establish rules for derivative applications
4. Commit to confidentiality and restrictions
​※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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