Olympus 2014 Annual Report Download - page 23

Intellectual Property Report
1. Number of Patent Applications Published in Japan
and Overseas in Core Competence Areas
(1) Japan
The number of patent applications published in Japan
increased from the previous fi scal year in Optical Tech-
nology, whereas patent applications declined slightly in
Electronic and Imaging Technology, Precision Technol-
ogy, and Biomechanical and Biological Fundamental
Technology. Overall domestic patent applications,
however, were largely unchanged from the previous
fi scal year.
(2) Overseas
Following measures to increase overseas patent appli-
cations, the number of patent applications published
overseas rose year on year in Optical Technology, Elec-
tronic and Imaging Technology, Precision Technology,
and Biomechanical and Biological Fundamental Tech-
nology. The Company will continue to build its global
patent portfolio going forward, with a particular focus
on the United States and China.
2. Breakdown of Patents in Core Competence Areas
as Part of All Patents Held
The core competence areas account for 59% of the
total patents held, which is unchanged from the previ-
ous fi scal year.
The percentage of each core competence area to
the total did not change signifi cantly, and Optical Tech-
nology and Electronic and Imaging Technology
accounted for 46% of the total.
Change in the number of patents held by country over
thepast fi ve years is shown in the graph. As with the
previous year, the Company is working to acquire rights
under its policy of increasing the number of patents
acquired overseas.
In fi scal 2014, the number of patents held in Japan
increased by 8% and the number of patents held overseas
increased by 5%.
Overview of Intellectual Property Activities in Core Competence Areas
Number of Patents Held by Country
Others
China
United States
Japan
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
2010/3 2011/3 2012/3 2013/3 2014/3
Number of Patent Applications Published in Japan
in Core Competence Areas
(Number of published patent applications)
Number of Patent Applications Published Overseas
in Core Competence Areas
(Number of published patent applications)
Number of Patents Held by Country
(Number of patents)
Core Competence Area Ratios as Part of All Patents Held
Optical Technology
28%
Other Product-Related
Technologies
41%
Electronic and
Imaging Technology
18%
Precision Technology
8%
Biomechanical and
Biological Funda-
mental Technology
5%
2014/3
Optical Technology
Electronic
and Imaging
Technology
Precision
Technology
Biomechanical
and Biological
Fundamental
Technology
0
200
400
600
800 741
646 514
661
524
505
702
739
261
255
376
405
112
583
543
305
138
131
206
205
2010/3 2011/3 2012/3 2013/3 2014/3
Optical Technology
Electronic
and Imaging
Technology
Precision
Technology
Biomechanical
and Biological
Fundamental
Technology
0
100
200
400
300
230
160 195
356
380
230
257
279
117
62
57
53 64
253
322
64
47
68
27
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2010/3 2011/3 2012/3 2013/3 2014/3
Corporate Governance Structure of Olympus
Establishment of Independent Committees
(Nominating and Compensation Committees)
We have established the Nominating Committee and the
Compensation Committee, which are comprised primarily
of highly independent outside offi cers, effectively separating
authority related to corporate offi cer nomination and
compensation from management.
Clear Segregation of Business Execution
andSupervisory Functions
The Board of Directors now consists of a majority
ofoutside directors, and these and other corporate
offi cers are appointed based on the nominations of the
Nominating Committee, ensuring complete independence
from management. This system also allows for clear
segregation of the business execution function and the
decision-making function.
Improvement in Compliance Awareness
We have appointed a chief compliance offi cer (CCO)
to promote compliance in a managerial capacity and
established the Compliance Committee, which is chaired
by an outside director.
Active Disclosure of Information
The Company’s internal information disclosure rules have
been made more stringent, and we have developed
unique disclosure standards that are even stricter than
those of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Reliable Support
Corporate Governance Structure (Summary)
Compliance Promotion System (Summary)
Board of Directors
President
Each Organization
General Meeting of Shareholders
General Meeting of Shareholders
Accounting Auditor
Board of Directors
Executive Management Committee Chairman
Chairman
Chairman of
the Board of
Directors
Audit & Supervisory Board
Executive
Management Committee
CSR
Committee
CCO
Europe Americas Asia Japan
Global Compliance Committees
Compliance Promotion
Committee
Actions undertaken by the compliance
organization within each region
Nominating
Committee
1
3
Compliance Committee
4
Compensation
Committee
2
President and
Representative
Director
1 2
3
4
Foundation for
Supporting Growth
Olympus is fully aware of the severity of the issues
regarding the deferral of losses on past investments
that were discovered in 2011, and it is pushing
forward with measures to reconstruct the Company
and prevent the reoccurrence of such issues.
Going forward, Olympus will continue to position
highly appropriate and transparent corporate
governance as the foundation for its activities. With
this as our base, we will work to give form to the
“Social IN” philosophy, the point of origin for our
business, by being an integral member of society,
sharing common values, and proposing new
values through our business activities.
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OLYMPUS Annual Report 2014
42 OLYMPUS Annual Report 2014