Mazda 2014 Annual Report Download - page 35

Protection of Personal Information
Mazda rigorously protects personal information in
line with its own Personal Information Protection
Policy. Handling rules are set out in order to ensure
appropriate management of personal information,
regular examination of management records for
retained personal data is taken, and management
statuses are checked once a year. In cases in which
the handling of personal information is entrusted
to outside parties, such contractors are carefully
selected based on a checklist which determined
the necessary items including security manage-
ment. The Mazda Call Center responds to customers
who wish to inquire about the Company’s handling
of personal information and those who request
disclosure regarding privacy issues.
Basic Policy on Intellectual Property
Mazda’s overall vision for intellectual property is to
use intellectual property as a management resource
in support of its business management and enter-
prise activities, based on respect for its own and
others’ intellectual property. Based on this vision,
Mazda has established an Intellectual Property
Committee, comprising divi sion general managers
from related divisions and chaired by an executive
officer responsible for intellectual property issues.
Also, the invention incentive system is increasing
motivation for inventions among employees working
at the forefront of research and development.
Protection of Intellectual Property and
Intellectual Property Risk Management
Mazda’s dedicated Intellectual Property Depart-
ment leads Company activities regarding intellec-
tual properties so as not to infringe upon the
intellectual property rights of other companies, and
conducts strategic activities aimed at fiercely
protecting, accumulating, and making optimal use
of the intellectual properties generated through
these in-house activities.
In order to clearly convey a relevant code of
conduct to all employees and guide their behavior,
the Mazda Corporate Ethics Code of Conduct stipu-
lates “Protect confidential information. Never infringe
on any intellectual property rights, whether belonging
to Mazda or another party.”
The Intellectual Property Department is respon-
sible for the overall management of intellectual
property, and also regularly conducts awareness-
raising activities to instill respect for intellectual
property law.
1. Exhaustively uncovers and globally obtains rights
concerning intellectual properties created by its
business activities, including new technologies,
markings, model names, and vehicle designs, and
protects Mazda technologies and the Mazda brand.
2. Takes steps to exhaustively investigate as well as
prevent and solve any problems regarding intellec-
tual properties that may obstruct business activi-
ties in each domain, such as infringement of other
parties’ patent rights; trademark rights, design
rights, and copyrights; and violations of the Unfair
Competition Prevention Act.
In awareness-raising activities, the department
offers instruction tailored to the management level
and position of each employee and executive in
Mazda and each Mazda Group company at home
and overseas, and to the type of intellectual
property in question. In particular, the department
provides administrative staff members instruction
on problems of copyright and violation of the
Unfair Competition Prevention Act that can arise
from the use of the Internet. Thorough awareness-
raising efforts are also made for the departments
in charge of creating and publishing materials
aimed outside the Company in order to prevent
intellectual property issues.
Compliance
At Mazda, the concept of compliance applies not
only to laws and regulations, but also includes
adherence to other rules such as internal guide-
lines and societal norms and expectations. Business
operations are con ducted in accordance with the
Mazda Corporate Ethics Code of Conduct to ensure
fair and honest practice. This also applies overseas;
Mazda not only complies with international regula-
tions and the laws of each country and region, but
also respects local history, culture, and customs.
The Mazda Corporate Ethics Code of Conduct is
revised as needed to cope with changes in the
social environment, social needs, etc.
Mazda Global Hotline
In 1999, Mazda established the Ethics Advisory
Office to handle employee inquiries about
com pliance and conduct investigations on ethical
matters. In September 2007, the scope of the office
was expanded to include domestic and overseas
Mazda Group companies, and it was renamed the
Mazda Global Hotline as a contact point for
receiving information.
To ensure that all employees are aware of this
hotline, Mazda has distributed the Compliance
Card with the contact information to all employees
at Mazda Motor Corporation, and ensures aware-
ness of this hotline at every opportunity through
compliance education. Mazda has also introduced
the hotline to Mazda Group companies in Japan
and overseas via each company’s Intranet.
This hotline is also introduced to suppliers so
that they can report the questions arose from any
transaction related Mazda Group members.
The Mazda Corporate Ethics Code of Conduct
states that “Persons who report incidences of viola-
tion of the law and persons who cooperate in inves-
tigations of alleged violations shall not be subjected
to retribution or disadvantageous treatment.” In
addition, Mazda has set up several contact points to
receive various consultations from em ployees. These
contact points aid in the early detection and appro-
priate handling of important compliance-related
information.
Compliance Promotion System
Risk Compliance
Committee
Office of General &
Legal Affairs
Mazda Global
Hotline
Representative Director and President
Departments within Mazda
(Executive Officers / Division General Managers /
Department General Managers =
Persons in charge of compliance)
Mazda Group
Companies
<Review board>
Liaison
Reporting Deliberation of
handling
Recommen-
dation / advice
Mazda Global Hotline
Reporting
Reporting
In principle, real
name is used
Real name /
pseudonym
Reporting
Response
(where
notification is
possible)
Response
(where
notification is
possible)
Instruction
Whistleblower
Mazda Global Hotline
In-house contact point
Sector targeted for
investigation
Auditor
Office of General &
Legal Affairs
Mazda Global Hotline
Outside contact point
(attorney’s office)
Representative Director
and President
Other senior management
Reporting
33
Mazda Annual Report 2014
CONTENTS
Review of Operations
Foundations Underpinning
Sustainable Growth
Message from Management
Introduction
Brand Value Management
Financial Section