Konica Minolta 2006 Annual Report Download - page 34

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32
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY UPDATE
1. R&D Segments and Intellectual Property Strategy Direction
The Konica Minolta Group is working to strengthen its intellectual property assets in
its core Business Technologies business and in its strategic Optics business. As a result,
the share of both businesses in terms of the Group’s total patent applications is
approximately 50%. In addition, both of these businesses accounted for approximately
50% of a total 6,163 Japanese patents held as of March 31, 2005.
2. Analysis of Technology Market Potential and Competitive Advantage
In Business Technologies, the Group has industry-leading product competitiveness in
color MFP and color LBP where market expansion is accelerating based on the
strength of polymerized toners featuring uniform, small diameter particles produced
by a proprietary manufacturing method, as well as high quality image processing
technology.
Moreover, in MFP for production printing, the Group is leveraging advanced paper
handling technology, printing workflow and color management know-how to establish
a solid market position.
In Optics, the Group has build a strong market position as a major manufacturer
with global scale and strong product positioning supported by strong technological
competitiveness in TAC film used to protect polarizing plates, and aspherical plastic
object lenses and other that are the products of proprietary optical as well as nano
fabrication technologies.
3. R&D, Intellectual Property Organization, Collaboration and Alliances
While each business company in the Konica Minolta Group has its own R&D organi-
zation and conducts its own development of products in existing businesses, Konica
Minolta Technology Center, Inc. functions to provide research and development for
the Group as a whole in deeply cultivating and advancing shared basic technologies
as well as leading-edge technologies.
The Intellectual Property Center is part of the Konica Minolta Technology Center
and is responsible for creating the Group’s intellectual property strategy as well as
collaborating closely with each business company to promote intellectual property
activities in functioning as a horizontal intellectual property link for the Group.
In addition, Intellectual Property Center liaison personnel are assigned to respective
bases in Japan and China to provide close collaboration in research and development
activities in globally promoting the intellectual property strategies of the Group and
the respective business companies.
4. Acquisition and Management of Intellectual Property, Trade Secrets
Management and Policies to Prevent Technology Leakage
Recognizing the importance of intellectual property as a management resource, the
Group has created Group-wide policies for intellectual property management and
is actively promoting effective asset formation and the effective use of intellectual
property rights in each of its businesses.
In addition, the Group has created clear guidelines regarding inventor rights and
other issues concerning the effective use of these assets in the form of “Regulations
47%
3%
25%
13%
9%
2%
Business Technologies
Optics
Photo Imaging
Medical and Graphic Imaging
Inkjet-Related Businesses
Shared Fundamental and
Advanced Technology Area
Japanese Patents Held
by Business Segment