Konica Minolta 2005 Annual Report Download - page 39

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necessity of using the intellectual property rights of other companies in business
domains where the technology is becoming more sophisticated and complicated, the
Group is pursuing cross licenses with other firms from the standpoint of preserving
the sustainability and research and development freedom of the business.
5. PATENT PORTFOLIO CONTRIBUTIONS TO BUSINESS
The Group employs a systematic patent filing and acquisition program, based on
resource allocation in accordance with business strategies, in order to ensure the
formation of valuable assets for Group businesses. As a result, between January 1
and December 31, 2004 the number of disclosed patents in Japan and registered
patents in the U.S. rose approximately 8% and 10%, respectively, as shown in the
table below. In addition, as of March 2005, the Group held approximately 6,500
patents in Japan and 5,900 in the U.S., clearly demonstrating the results of the
Group’s success in turning R&D activities into assets.
No. of Disclosed No. of Registered
Patents in Japan Patents in the U.S.
in 2004 Note 1 in 2004Note 2
Number 4,417 404
Ranking 12 50 (15th in Japan)
Notes: 1. Data based on Konica Minolta’s own research.
2. Based on Intellectual Property Owners Association (URL: http://www.ipo.org/), and
calculated from Konica and Minolta totals prior to integration (same as previous year).
One example of the systematic filing and acquisition is in Business Technologies,
where the Group continues to promote stronger patent application policies for
polymerized toner, a core technology essential to the business strategy. As shown in
the chart at the left, the Group has steadily accumulated patent rights in Japan and in
the extensive U.S. market, providing a strong support for the business.
In the Optics business the Group has strengthened its patent filing outside Japan in
keeping with its business strategies. The Group has acquired numerous patents in
Japan, as well as in the U.S. and other countries and regions, providing a strong
underpinning for overseas business development.
6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PORTFOLIO POLICIES
The Group regularly monitors the status of registered and disclosed patents inside
and outside Japan as a means of analyzing the technological trends in the industry.
Based on the results of this analysis, the Group conducts an assessment of its
intellectual property portfolio, to efficiently utilize assets, and promote the effective
utilization of valuable patent rights held by relinquishing unneeded patent rights after
periodically conducting inventory reviews.
In addition, the Group uses the results of this analysis to establish priority fields in
terms of technology direction. Aggressive intellectual property activity in those fields
serves to strengthen the intellectual property portfolio.
7. RISK-SENSITIVE INFORMATION
As of the date of this report, there were no legal disputes or lawsuits related to the
Group’s intellectual property that could have a material impact on the management
of the Group.
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Japan disclosed
Japan disclosed total
Japan registered total
U.S. registered total
Number of Registered
and Disclosed Patents
for Polymerized Toner
(Cumulative Totals from
Fiscal year ended March 2001)
0
200
400
600
Disclosed Patents
Registered Patents
0
30
60
90
2003 2004 2005
Japan
U.S.
Other
Number of Registered
Patents Related to the
Optics Business
(Cumulative Totals from
Fiscal year ended March 2001)
0
200
400
600