Konica Minolta 2008 Annual Report Download - page 40

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37
Trend of Japanese Patents
in Business Technologies
and Optics
0
600
450
300
150
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
Business Technologies
(left scale)
Optics
(right scale)
05 06 07 08
Trend of U.S. Patents
in Business Technologies
and Optics
0
150
300
450
600
0
700
1,400
2,100
2,800
05 06 07 08
6. Intellectual Property Portfolio Policies
These portfolios are especially important for the core Business Technologies and strategic Optics
segments. We are expanding patent applications in these businesses while enhancing patent
quality by more effectively searching prior art documents and evaluating inventions. We will
continue to emphasize patent applications abroad as we globalize.
We regularly inventory our patents and manage the portfolio to help capitalize on earnings
opportunities and foster new internal and external uses of our patents. We are identifying uses
for patents from the defunct Photo Imaging business. Examples are silver-halide photographic
materials and processing equipment and film and digital cameras. We are transferring such
patent assets to Group companies and third parties or have licensed them.
7. Risk Response Information
At the date of this report, the Konica Minolta Group was not involved in any intellectual property
disputes or litigation that would materially affect operations.