Pentax 2009 Annual Report Download - page 36

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ACTIVITIES
The Hoya Group’s intellectual property strategy protects proprietary technologies, and along
with business strategies and R&D is a key management strategy for supporting Hoya’s contin-
ued growth. The 2008 merger with Pentax augmented the Group’s intellectual property, and
we intend to meld the existing intellectual property of the two corporations to create unprec-
edented value. From the perspective of patent portfolio management, the Company will work
to enhance its intellectual property rights in growth areas such as medical care and healthcare
going forward.
Intellectual Property Policy
One of the Hoya Group’s fundamental objectives is to make the fullest possible use of intel-
lectual property to bolster the competitive strengths of its global businesses.
Obtaining Patent Rights
To ensure the most efficient possible patent prosecution for obtaining patent rights, technical
development managers and intellectual property managers work closely as a team. The Com-
pany aims to secure all necessary intellectual property rights from the initial stage of the devel-
opment of leading-edge technologies, with an eye toward peripheral, applied and alternative
technologies. In relation to those fields in which Hoya commands a leading position, the Com-
pany focuses on accelerating the process of securing patents in cutting-edge areas. At the
same time, in competitive markets, Hoya concentrates on promoting efficient patent prosecu-
tion while preventing infringement of the patents held by other companies. To achieve these
ends, careful technical searches of patent information at other firms are performed, and the
Company supports the patent prosecution that is most appropriate for each field. Hoya is also
devoting itself to the formation of global patent networks that will be coordinated with the
moves of its production bases and trading partners into international markets.
Cross-Licensing and Out-Licensing
Hoya’s individual businesses are not large, but the Company strives to improve its competitive-
ness in each respective market. Hoya focuses on effectively and fully utilizing the patents that
are the cornerstone of the competitive position its businesses enjoy. This means there are cases
in which Hoya might assign licenses to third parties: for instance, where it is appropriate to sign
cross-licensing agreements granting mutual exercise of patent rights, or where the Company
can expect out-licensing of its patents to other companies to result in an expansion of the over-
all market, or when dictated by changes in Hoya’s competitiveness. This enables the Company
to pursue effective utilization of its intellectual property in line with its business strategy.
Prevention of Imitation and Infringement
Hoya maintains a constant watch on the market to ensure that its technologies are not imi-
tated by third parties. When its technologies are imitated, the Company issues warnings and,
where necessary, takes appropriate steps such as filing for injunction. Hoya also respects pat-
ents held by others, affording them appropriate value and avoiding infringement, as part of
its efforts to streamline its patent management.
R&D ACTIVITIES/INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ACTIVITIES
Forward Looking Research & Development
34 HOYA Annual Report 2009