The Intellectual Property Division works with each business division and laboratory to create intellectual property based on the business strategy and R&D strategy in each business. Decisions on whether or not to apply for a patent and acquire rights is made after considering the contribution to our business and products. We use time stamps and other means of recording and managing manufacturing technology, other core technology, and expertise. Investments in intellectual property are reassessed by regularly checking the contribution of registered rights to business in each business division.
Building an Intellectual Property Strategy
The strategies for creating, acquiring rights on, and utilizing intellectual property differ according to the business division. We are currently working to visualize intellectual property in the business portfolio strategy described in the mid-term business plan. We ask what the strengths of the business and products are, analyze how intellectual property contributes in that context, and use this sort of analysis to secure a competitive advantage.
Risk Reduction Activities
We are constantly checking to make sure that our products do not infringe on the rights of other companies from the R&D stage to the post-sale stage in order to minimize intellectual property risk. We also act to eliminate business risk from intellectual property as necessary.
Development of Human Resources
To develop human resources with expertise in intellectual property, we deepen understanding of intellectual property through ongoing systematic internal training of researchers. Researchers are also encouraged to take external short courses on intellectual property and obtain related qualifications.
Global Patent Application Status (as of March 31, 2023)
Global Trademark Applications (as of March 31, 2023)
The Research & Development Division and the Intellectual Property Division work together on creation of new businesses and new products by using the IP landscape (analysis of patent information on non-patented information to provide new insights, develop hypotheses, etc.) to analyze and advise on business strategy and R&D strategy.
Support for Idea Generation, and Invention and Discovery
We support the generation of ideas by researchers by providing information sources that are useful for research and development and training on researching information. Researchers and the Intellectual Property Divisions also hold regular meetings in each laboratory. They both contribute ideas and results of verification at these meetings and work to generate ideas and discover inventions.
In order to promote the creation of intellectual property, we have established a system to recognize compensation for inventions made by employees and the contributions of employees.
Performance Compensation and Lump-sum Reward Programs for EmployeeInventors
We provide “a reasonable amount of money or other economic benefits (reasonable benefits)” to employee inventors each time a patent application is made, as stipulated under Article 35, paragraph 4 of the Patent Act. In addition, when a patent for an invention made by a employee has contributed to sales, we provide performance compensation equivalent to a certain percentage of sales or royalties for each business year. This program was initiated in 1963, and has been implemented pursuant to our Regulations for Employee Inventions, etc., which have been revised every time the Patent Act was amended.
Employees whose patents have made a particular contribution to sales are eligible to receive a lump-sum reward in addition to performance compensation, which incentivizes the development of intellectual property.
Early Contributions to Financial Performance
Even for patents pending, employees can receive compensation commensurate with the degree of contribution their invention has made to the financial performance of our Group. This particular program was initiated in 2005 to properly recognize inventions of products with a comparatively shorter life cycle, and serves to complement the aforementioned performance compensation program.
Award Ceremony for Inventors
At the annual company-wide research presentation meeting, we hold an inventions commendation ceremony for patent applications and intellectual property activities, and award prizes and awards to outstanding inventors and employees engaged in intellectual property activities. We have established the Excellent Invention Award to recognize original and innovative inventions, the Application Award for Inventors with a large number of applications, and the Intellectual Property Activity Award for independent intellectual property activities that contribute to research and development and business. In addition, the award winners give lectures to share outstanding achievements and lead to the next invention and intellectual property activities.
