Olympus 2010 Annual Report Download - page 22

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REPORT
Number of Patents Published by Area of Core Competence
(Number of patents)
04 05 06 07 08
Optical
Technology
Electronic and
Imaging
Technology
Precision
Technology
1,000
500
09 10
Biomechanical
and Biological
Fundamental
Technology
R&D Expenditure to Net Sales, R&D Efficiency
(%)
R&D Expenditure to Net Sales (Right)
02 03 04 05 06 07 08
R&D Efficiency (Left)
10
15
5
300
200
100
09 10
Note: R&D efficiency is calculated based on a five-year cumulative basis, for example,
fiscal 2010 R&D efficiency was calculated after dividing the cumulative operating
income of fiscal 2006 through 2010 by the cumulative R&D expenditures of fiscal
2001 through 2005. This illustrates the effect of investment in R&D activities on
operating income. R&D expenditure to net sales is calculated by dividing five-year
cumulative R&D expenditures (fiscal 2006-2010) by five-year cumulative net sales
(fiscal 2006-2010). All figures are provided on a consolidated basis.
Core Technology and Business Models
Olympus’ management focuses on strengthening the
Company’s technological capabilities with the aim of becom-
ing an even more advanced technology-oriented company.
Olympus’ core competence is in Opto-Digital Technology,
a fusion of the latest digital and optical technologies accu-
mulated by the Company over many years. In order to further
strengthen this core competence, the Company has positioned
the following technologies as fundamental and common
to the Olympus Group as a whole: optical technology—the
science of capturing and controlling light; electronic imaging
technology—the manipulation of digital images captured
from light; precision technologies—the technologies to create
products accurately and control them precisely; and biome-
chanical & biological fundamental technology—technology
that enables the live cell observation and cell separation
culturing that is indispensable for establishing regenerative
medicine. By effectively channeling R&D resources to sharpen
its competitive edge, the Company continues to create new
levels of value for its Imaging Systems, Medical Systems and
Life Science and Industrial Systems businesses.
In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, Olympus’ R&D
expenditure amounted to approximately ¥61.9 billion,
accounting for roughly 7.0% of net sales.
During the fiscal year under review, conditions in both the
Japanese and global economies remained serious. However,
Olympus promoted business structural reforms to secure its
high earnings capabilities, and, accordingly, R&D efficiency
was slightly improved, reflecting increased operating income.
R&D Segment and IP Overview
The following graphs show the number of published domestic
patents Olympus possesses in its areas of core competence,
as well as a breakdown of domestic patents held by core
competence area.
The number of published patents remained almost on par
with the previous fiscal year’s level in the fields of optical tech-
nology, precision technology and biomechanical & biological
fundamental technology. The number of patents published for
electronic imaging technology increased slightly. The percent-
age of patents acquired in core competence technologies grew
2% year on year to 74%.
Measures against Counterfeit Products
Olympus has adopted a proactive approach against counterfeit
products with the aim of protecting consumers and the
Olympus brand.
In more concrete terms, we appoint at our Chinese branches
expatriate employees responsible for IP, and theses employees
are tasked with collecting information on such products
and taking appropriate measures, including the prosecution
of those responsible as needed. The Company also offers
seminars on counterfeit products to Chinese customs and
other related government organizations, effectively enhancing
collaboration and communication with qualified parties.
We will continuously implement stringent and effective
counterfeit product initiatives in the future.
20 OLYMPUS 2010