Intellectual property risks associated with a policy of not actively pursuing patents
First written in FY2016. 5 of 7 entries say "Restated". Latest entry: FY2025.
The whole theme swung hardest in 2024: 3 of 7 companies on the "Worse" side.
11 other companies' latest entry also says "Restated".
- FY2025RestatedAnnual report
「The Company does not actively pursue patents or utility model rights. Consequently, if another company obtains a patent covering technology developed by the Company, this may affect the Company's financial results.」
The policy of not actively pursuing patents to avoid the leakage of know-how, and the risks of another company obtaining a patent and of infringing third-party rights, remain ongoing. - FY2023RestatedAnnual report
「The Group has extensive technology development related to its processing processes. However, because it believes that publishing patent applications could readily result in the disclosure of know-how outside the Group, it does not actively pursue patents or utility model rights. Consequently, if another company obtains a patent covering technology developed by the Company, this may affect the Group's financial results.」
The policy of not actively pursuing patents to avoid the leakage of know-how, and the risk of another company obtaining a patent, remain ongoing. - FY2021RestatedAnnual report
「The Company does not actively pursue patents or utility model rights. Consequently, if another company obtains a patent covering technology developed by the Company, this may affect the Company's financial results.」
The policy of not actively pursuing patents to avoid the leakage of know-how, and the risk of another company obtaining a patent, remain ongoing. - FY2020RestatedAnnual report
「The Group has extensive technology development related to its processing processes. However, because it believes that publishing patent applications could readily result in the disclosure of know-how outside the Group, it does not actively pursue patents or utility model rights. Consequently, if another company obtains a patent covering technology developed by the Company, this may affect the Group's financial results.」
The policy of not actively pursuing patents, and the risks of another company obtaining a patent and of infringing third-party rights, remain ongoing. - FY2019RestatedAnnual report
「The Group has extensive technology development related to its processing processes. However, because it believes that publishing patent applications could readily result in the disclosure of know-how outside the Group, it does not actively pursue patents or utility model rights. Consequently, if another company obtains a patent covering technology developed by the Company, this may affect the Group's financial results.」
The Company continues to maintain its policy of not actively pursuing patents while taking measures to prevent infringement of third-party rights through employee training, searches of relevant literature and consultation with patent attorneys and other specialists. - FY2017MitigatedAnnual report
「The Group has extensive technology development related to its processing processes. However, because it believes that publishing patent applications could readily result in the disclosure of know-how outside the Group, it does not actively pursue patents or utility model rights. Consequently, if another company obtains a patent covering technology developed by the Company, this may affect the Group's financial results. The Group also takes measures to prevent infringement of third-party intellectual property rights, including employee training, searches of relevant literature and consultation with patent attorneys and other specialists as considered necessary.」
While maintaining its policy of not actively pursuing patents, the Company explicitly states that it is taking measures to prevent infringement of third-party rights through employee training, searches of relevant literature and consultation with patent attorneys and other specialists. - FY2016First statedAnnual report
「The Group has extensive technology development related to its processing processes. However, because it believes that publishing patent applications could readily result in the disclosure of know-how outside the Group, it does not actively pursue patents or utility model rights. Consequently, if another company obtains a patent covering technology developed by the Company, this may affect the Group's financial results.」
The Company states that it does not actively pursue patents or utility model rights in order to prevent the leakage of know-how, and that this could result in another company obtaining a patent or in infringement of third-party rights.