Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Tsar and Tsai Law Firm is experienced in representing investment banks and state owned banks, as well as other domestic and international financial institutions. The firm reviews proposed credit and security documents for their validity and enforceability under Taiwanese law.

The firm assisted International Lease Finance Corporation, Barclays Bank and Bank of Scotland on an aircraft refinancing project involving two aircraft leased by a Taiwanese airline operator.

In January 2011, the team successfully assisted 3M Company to acquire the tape-related assets of Alpha Beta Enterprise, a leading manufacturer of box sealing tape and masking tape headquartered in Taiwan.

Concluding a strong year for the firm, the M&A team successfully assisted ON Semiconductor on its acquisition of the semiconductor business of Sanyo for approximately US$366 million.

“Tsar & Tsai Law Firm is my preferred choice on IP related litigation matters,” says one client. The firm’s disputes work includes advice on infringement claims, anti-counterfeiting actions, patent/trade mark licensing, IP due diligence, and other IP related transactions.

A highlight for the firm was successfully representing a hi-tech company in administrative litigation. This concerned profit-seeking enterprise income tax implications arising from a capital increase for business expansion.

In September, the firm represented Applied Materials in an alleged patent infringement litigation initiated by Jusung Engineering. The firm also successfully represented a major client in defending a copyright infringement criminal proceeding initiated by Microchip.

Tsar & Tsai Law Firm specialises in patent/trade mark prosecutions, the litigation of infringement claims, and other anti-counterfeiting actions. The team has three of the most respected IP lawyers in Jennifer Lin, Dr Joyce Ho and Edgar Chen.

Last year, the firm successfully represented Pierre Fabre Dermo-cosmetique in challenging a trade mark registration applied by a Taiwanese company. It asserted the client’s registered trade mark ‘A-DERMA + device’ and received a favourable decision from the Ministry of Economic Affair.

The team successfully acted for a major Japanese construction firm to dispute an unfavourable decision by the Intellectual Property Office of Taiwan in respect of its effort to register the trade mark ‘JETCRETE’ in Taiwan.

Tsar & Tsai Law Firm also successfully represented a major client in defending a copyright infringement criminal proceeding initiated by Microchip.

Tsar & Tsai Law Firm’s growing telecommunications and IT practice has shown considerable expertise in structuring deals on acquisitions. The firm also has vast experience in advising on cable, satellite and direct broadcasting laws.

A major highlight was successfully assisting Mitsui & Co on its 85% share purchase of ShopNet Co, the operator of the VIVA home shopping channel in Taiwan. A merger control approval from Taiwan’s Fair Trade Commission was required, and the firm is assisting both Mitsui and VIVA on post-closing corporate matters.

The firm also successfully assisted China Network Systems in concluding a US$1.1 billion syndicated loan agreement with syndicated banks.

“Tsar & Tsai Law Firm lawyers are experts in advising on labour and employment related matters,” says one client. The firm frequently advises on employment compliance issues, drafting employee contracts, and other company regulations comprised in Taiwanese statutes.

Leading employment law partner SK Chen led a team advising a UK-based insurance company in defending several lawsuits initiated by former insurance agents in relation to disputes of wages and severance pay.

The firm also successfully assisted South African Airways in obtaining a winning judgment against a former employee for wrongful termination.

Tsar & Tsai Law Firm’s tax attorneys are experienced on tax related issues and provide services to domestic and international corporates, as well as to individual clients in connection with tax-sensitive issues such as tax audits and appeals.

The firm assisted Hitachi and Hitachi Displays in applying for exemption of income tax on patent licensing royalties that was payable by various Taiwanese licensees.

In a cross border deal, the team advised NYSE-listed Jabil Circuit on employee stock options, compensation schemes and related tax matters.

Another notable transaction was representing Hsinchu Science Park hi-tech company in administrative litigation concerning profit-seeking enterprise income tax implications arising from a capital increase for business expansion.