Japanese Toy Maker Wins Appeal to Continue Patent Dispute Over Toddler Tub Design

Tokyo, Japan – In a notable legal turnaround, a Japanese toymaker succeeded on Tuesday in convincing a panel of Federal Circuit judges to reconsider a patent case involving a toy tub designed for toddlers. The decision came after the judges determined that a Rhode Island federal judge had inaccurately defined a crucial patent claim in the original ruling. The case centers on a dispute over a specialized patent, which describes the design and functionality of a toy tub. The item, intended for young children, has been the subject of legal scrutiny after the Japanese company … Read more

Japanese and Iranian Films Take Top Honors at International Film Festival Rotterdam

Rotterdam, Netherlands – Japanese actor and director Toshihiko Tanaka’s film “Rei” and Iranian filmmaker Oktay Baraheni’s “The Old Bachelor” emerged as the top winners at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. Tanaka’s “Rei” took home the prestigious €40,000 ($43,000) Tiger Award in the main competition, while Baraheni’s “The Old Bachelor” won the €30,000 ($32,000) VPRO Big Screen Award 2024. “Rei” tells the story of a woman in Tokyo struggling to find meaning in her life until she encounters a deaf landscape photographer living in the mountains of Hokkaido. The jury, consisting of Marco Müller, Ena Sendijarević, … Read more

Japanese and Iranian Films Shine at International Film Festival Rotterdam: ‘Rei’ and ‘The Old Bachelor’ Take Top Honors

Rotterdam, Netherlands – Japanese actor and director Toshihiko Tanaka has been awarded the top prize at the International Film Festival Rotterdam for his human relationships drama, “Rei.” The film follows the story of a woman in her thirties working in Tokyo who discovers the value of her life after meeting a deaf landscape photographer in Hokkaido’s mountains. The Tiger Award, which comes with a prize of €40,000 ($43,000), was given to Tanaka’s debut film by a jury consisting of Marco Müller, Ena Sendijarević, Nadia Turincev, Billy Woodberry, and Herman Yau. In addition to “Rei,” two … Read more

Japanese Film ‘Rei’ Takes Top Prize at International Film Festival Rotterdam

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands – During the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Japanese director Tanaka Toshihiko’s debut film, “Rei,” was awarded the prestigious Tiger Award. The film tells the story of a young woman working in Tokyo who meets a deaf landscape photographer in the mountains of Hokkaido. Toshihiko not only directed the film but also produced, edited, and acted in it. The jury praised Toshihiko for his collaborative approach and the film’s loose and unbounded environment. In addition to the Tiger Award, the Special Jury Awards went to “Kiss Wagon” by Midhun Murali and “Flathead” by Jaydon … Read more