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Base Station Switching Method in Mobile Communication Systems
Business and
R&D Divisions
Patent portfolio
Idea selection
Survey of
technology trends Patent application Patent survey to
avoid infringement Exercise of rights
Out-licensing
Decision to commercialize Licensing negotiations
Consider alliances In-licensing
Ties with industry,
academia and
government
Intellectual
Property Unit
Initial
planning Project
planning Prototyping Manufacture Sales
Design
Linking Business and R&D Divisions
The continuous switchover* of connecting base stations will enable users
to continuously utilize mobile phones for calls or email while on the move.
* The switchover of connecting base stations is often referred to as “handover”
Conducting a switchover of base stations involves the combination
of technologies covering mobile phones to core networks. In developing
these technologies, Fujitsu also analyzes its strengths and weaknesses
vis-à-vis its competitors from an intellectual property (IP) standpoint.
Following an appropriate patent-filing strategy, Fujitsu promotes patent-
filing activities that seamlessly integrate business and IP, and has built a
network of some 80 patents worldwide.
One such patent, called “Handover method for CDMA mobile tele-
communication systems (Japanese Patent No.3479935)” recently received
the “Invention Prize” at the Fiscal 2011 National Invention Commenda-
tions sponsored by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation (JIII).
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Protecting and respecting intellectual property is part of the Code of Conduct in the Fujitsu Way, which articulates the philosophy of the
Fujitsu Group and the core values and principles guiding the actions of each of its employees. Accordingly, every employee recognizes
intellectual property as a key corporate asset supporting business activities. Moreover, Fujitsu employees are acutely aware of the role that
technologies backed by intellectual property play in enabling customers to rely with confidence on the products and services we deliver.
We are promoting an intellectual property strategy closely integrated with our business and R&D strategies. Each business unit and R&D
division is individually responsible for analyzing the intellectual property assets owned by Fujitsu and other companies in their respective
fields. Based on this analysis, they formulate and implement intellectual property strategies.
We are developing a framework to strengthen Group-wide intellectual property activities to enable the entire Group to leverage our
intellectual property assets. Some issues, such as the creation of international standards, require coordinated action among the global
bases in the Group. Here, we use regular meetings among Group companies to share information as well as promote specific measures.
In this way, we foster a unified approach to intellectual property activities.
1. Patent Rights
Patent rights support technological strength. Recognizing these
rights as an important corporate asset, we are assembling a
global patent portfolio centered on patents in Japan.
We ensure that the acquisition, maintenance, and utilization
of patents are carried out in keeping with the Fujitsu Group’s
global business development strategy. We therefore acquire,
maintain, and utilize the patents we need in the countries
(regions) where they are needed, to support the operation of our
R&D, production, and sales bases. Representative offices have
been established in the US and China so that local research or
inventions at development bases can be securely protected. For
obtaining patents in the US, Fujitsu has a framework not only for
yielding inventions, but for handling the entire adjudication pro-
cess to achieve more efficient registration of high-quality patents.
2. Exploitation of IP
Fujitsu preserves the competitive advantage of its businesses by
providing differentiated products and services which are protected by
The Importance of Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property Strategy
Group-wide Initiatives
Handover
062 FUJITSU LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT 2011