Risk of infringement of third-party intellectual property rights and related litigation
First written in FY2018. 2 of 4 entries say "Worsened", first in FY2025. Latest entry: FY2026.
Data Applications moved to the "Worse" side of this theme in 2025, 1 year before the typical company in this theme (2026).
5 other companies' latest entry also says "Worsened".
- FY2026WorsenedAnnual report
「In particular, the scope and interpretation of intellectual property rights in the AI field, including AI model training methods, algorithms and rights to use training data, remain fluid, and legal opinions and case law are still developing. Accordingly, the AI solutions provided by WEEL and 株式会社メロン carry a risk of unintentionally infringing third-party intellectual property rights.」
In addition to the existing risks relating to third-party patents and other rights, the company specified the risks of infringement relating to training methods, algorithms and rights to use training data in the AI solutions of WEEL and メロン社. - FY2025Added intellectual property risks relating to generative AIAnnual report
「The scope and interpretation of intellectual property rights in the AI field, including AI model training methods, algorithms and rights to use training data, remain fluid, and legal opinions and case law are still developing.」
In addition to the existing risk of infringing third-party patents and other rights, the company explicitly identified intellectual property risks relating to AI models, algorithms and rights to use training data. - FY2020RestatedAnnual report
「The Group may face claims for damages, injunctions against use or other relief from a third party, and may incur payments relating to such patent or other intellectual property right. In such cases, the Group's operating results and financial position could be materially affected.」
The company continues to disclose the risks of litigation, injunctions against use and payments relating to infringement of third-party intellectual property rights. - FY2018First statedAnnual report
「Accordingly, if a third party obtains a patent or other intellectual property right in the Group's business fields, or if such a right has already been obtained in those fields without the Group's knowledge, the Group may face claims for damages, injunctions against use or other relief from the third party, and may incur payments relating to such patent or other right. In such cases, the Group's operating results and financial position could be materially affected.」
The company identifies as risks potential claims for damages or injunctions against use, as well as payments relating to third-party patents and other intellectual property rights.