Yamaha 2005 Annual Report Download - page 41

Yamaha Annual Report 2005 39
Expanding patent application and acquisition is regarded as a
key element of business strategy. Yamaha also undertakes annu-
al reviews to evaluate all patents owned as part of broader efforts
to optimize intellectual property assets.
The prioritized target areas for patent filing in each business
segment are outlined below.
Musical instruments:
Network-related technologies; new-concept musical instruments;
professional audio-related technologies
AV/IT:
Sound projectors; network-related technologies
Lifestyle-related products:
Technologies related to artificial marble; mist sauna-related tech-
nologies
Electronic equipment and metal products:
Sound-related devices
Other Yamaha operations aim to achieve numbers of patent filings
corresponding to the scale of each business.
Companywide R&D functions focus on filing patent applications
in areas related to the use of sound in lifestyle applications.
Patent-related work is built into management for development-
stage work, ensuring the filing of patent applications at key mile-
stones of progress in all R&D programs.
Patent use
In all business segments, patent acquisition and use are regarded
as a fundamental part of commercial differentiation and the securing
and maintenance of an advantageous business position. In the
AV/IT and electronic equipment & metal products segments,
Yamaha makes use of cross-licensing arrangements to augment
operational freedom. Yamaha also engages in licensing its patents
to third-party; for instance, in the AV/IT business Yamaha is partici-
pating in a joint licensing group for optical disk recording technology
patents that is led by Philips and Sony.
Patent management systems and methods
A corporate legal and intellectual property division oversees
Yamaha’s patent strategy and the integrated management of all
patents held by the Yamaha Group. Specific personnel at each
business and R&D division are assigned to intellectual property
roles to ensure the company’s patent strategy is coherent with
business and R&D strategies. Respect for intellectual property
and maintaining of confidentiality are also key concepts in
Yamaha’s internal compliance guidelines, which form part of the
code of conduct for Yamaha Group personnel and member firms.
Internal incentives for inventions
In line with both legal considerations and internal regulations,
Yamaha makes payments of remuneration to inventors at the vari-
ous stages of patent acquisition and use, i.e. patent filing, patent
registration, practice of patent and licensing-out of patent. These
payments are designed to reward and provide an incentive for
invention.
To encourage greater numbers of patent applications and reg-
istrations, Yamaha also strives to cultivate a dynamic corporate cul-
ture that values innovation and honors the achievements of inven-
tors. In fiscal 2004, Yamaha established its own patent awards to
recognize the inventions that offer the greatest potential and their
originators.
Designs
The chart illustrates the number of designs (registered in govern-
mental patent offices) owned by Yamaha at the end of March 2005.
The musical instruments business accounts for about 70% of the
total. In recent years, Yamaha has increased the number of product
design applications in the China Patent office as part of counter-
measures against counterfeits.
Intellectual property risk
At the time of publication of this report, the Yamaha Group was not
involved in any intellectual property dispute with the potential to
have a significant impact on the company’s business.
Registered Designs Owned by Yamaha (as of March 31, 2005)
Japan U.S. Other
0
100
200
300
400
Other
Electronic Equipment & Metal Products
Lifestyle-Related Products
AV/IT
Musical Instruments