Pentax 2011 Annual Report Download - page 54

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Hoya works to enhance Group intellectual property rights in a broad range of fields, including
Information Technology, eye care, medical care, and cameras and optics, with a particular
emphasis on growth areas such as medical care and healthcare.
Intellectual Property Policy
One of the Hoya Group’s fundamental objectives in intellectual property activities is to make the
fullest possible use of intellectual property to bolster the competitive strengths of its global
businesses.
Obtaining and Formulating Patent Rights
To ensure the most efficient possible patent prosecution for obtaining and formulating patent
rights, technical development managers and intellectual property managers work in close
consultation with one another. The Company aims to secure all necessary intellectual property
rights from the initial stage of the development of the relevant technologies, with an eye toward
peripheral, applied and alternative technologies. In relation to those fields in which Hoya
commands a leading position, the Company focuses on accelerating the process of securing
patents in cutting-edge areas. At the same time, in competitive markets, Hoya concentrates on
promoting efficient prosecution of patent formulation while preventing infringement of the patents
held by other companies. To achieve these ends, careful technical searches of patent
information of other firms are performed, and the Company supports the patent prosecution that
is most appropriate for each field. Hoya is also engaged in patent portfolio management
activities devoted to the formation of global patent networks that will be coordinated with the
moves of its production bases and sales 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
competitiveness in each respective market. Hoya focuses on effectively and fully utilizing the
patent rights 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 patent rights to other companies to result in
an expansion of the overall 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.