Konica Minolta 2007 Annual Report Download - page 41

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high expectations for commercialization of organic EL for lighting applications, the Group
succeeded in developing a white OLED devices in June 2006 with the world’s highest power effi-
ciency and commercial level long life time. In order to accelerate commercialization of this white
OLED devices, the Group signed an agreement to strengthen its collaboration with Universal
Display Corporation of the U.S. in October 2006. Moreover, a strategic partnership agreement
was signed with the General Electric Company of the U.S. in March 2007 to further accelerate
development and commercialization of OLED lighting applications.
In addition, the Group is participating in various R&D projects, including participation in Japan’s
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) national projects such as the “Technology
Research Association for Advanced Display Materials (TRADIM)” and “Technological Development
of Superflexible Display Components”, which is a New Energy and Industrial Technology
Development Organization (NEDO). Through such alliances, the Group is seeking to actively
utilize external resources to efficiently manage its R&D activities and promote commercialization.
3. 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 is
actively promoting profitable business asset formation and the effective utilization of intellectual
property rights in each of its businesses. In addition, the Group created and implemented new
“Regulations for the Management of Industrial Property Rights” in the fiscal year ended March
2006 in order to provide employees with an incentive to develop new inventions and creations.
These regulations are in response to the recent nation-wide trend in increasing the number
lawsuits by employees seeking compensation for their inventions.
Know-how and trade secrets created in-house are an important part of the Group’s technology
assets, and unintended information disclosure could harm the Group’s technological advantage
and threaten the healthy development of the Group’s business. In addition, trade secrets received
from other companies on the basis of a confidentiality agreement is at the same time an important
asset for these companies, and the leakage of such information not only damages the trustworthi-
ness of the Group, but also presents potential legal problems. As a result, the Group has created
“Standards for the Management of Confidential Information” and has established a system to
thoroughly prevent the leakage of the Group’s as well as other companies’ trade secrets.
Moreover, the Group is placing emphasis on training its personnel in the acquisition and
management of intellectual property. In addition to encouraging active participation in training
and educational programs sponsored by various associations, the Group has also assigned
Intellectual Property Center personnel in the key countries including China with the aim of
increasing understanding of regulations in various countries in addition to strengthening and
preparing for local intellectual property operations.