Risk of know-how leakage from not filing patents and infringement of third-party rights
First written in FY2018. 3 of 6 entries say "Restated". Latest entry: FY2025.
Ai moved to the "Worse" side of this theme in 2025, 1 year after the typical company in this theme (2024).
The whole theme swung hardest in 2020: 4 of 43 companies on the "Worse" side.
3 other companies' latest entry also says "Reframed".
- FY2025ReframedAnnual report
「To prevent disputes with third parties concerning intellectual property rights, our group conducts investigations when developing new products or services and, as necessary, commissions prior-art patent searches. We develop products and conduct licensing activities while obtaining advice from attorneys, but it is practically impossible to prevent disputes with third parties concerning intellectual property rights completely.」
The description has been reorganised from one focused primarily on the risks of unpatented technologies and know-how leakage to one addressing the risk of disputes over third-party intellectual property rights, including patent acquisition, prior-art patent searches, legal advice and licensing. - FY2022RestatedAnnual report
「Our research and development and product development departments are conducting checks to confirm that we do not infringe third-party intellectual property rights, consulting experts as necessary. However, if the checks are insufficient or there is some other deficiency, such as a lack of awareness, we may infringe third-party intellectual property rights or other rights.」
Although there is no mention of unpatented technologies or know-how leakage, the risk of infringing third-party intellectual property rights and preliminary checks using experts continue to be addressed. - FY2021RestatedAnnual report
「Our research and development and product development departments are conducting checks to confirm that we do not infringe third-party intellectual property rights, consulting experts as necessary. However, if the checks are insufficient or there is some other deficiency, such as a lack of awareness, we may infringe third-party intellectual property rights or other rights.」
There is no mention of unpatented technologies or know-how leakage, while the risk of infringing third-party intellectual property rights and preliminary checks using experts continue to be addressed. - FY2020SoftenedAnnual report
「Our research and development and product development departments are conducting checks to confirm that we do not infringe third-party intellectual property rights, consulting experts as necessary. However, if the checks are insufficient or there is some other deficiency, such as a lack of awareness, we may infringe third-party intellectual property rights or other rights.」
The risk of infringing third-party intellectual property rights and the use of experts for preliminary investigations continue to be addressed, while the risk of imitation arising from unpatented technologies and know-how leakage, which was previously stated, is not expressly mentioned in this filing. - FY2019RestatedAnnual report
「Although we believe that we currently have a technological advantage, we do not hold patents or other rights. Accordingly, if competitors develop and commercialise products similar to ours, or if our know-how is leaked externally due to the loss of personnel or other reasons, this may affect our business and financial performance.」
The document continues to address the risk of leakage and imitation associated with protecting detailed technologies as know-how without filing patent applications. The risk of infringing third-party rights is also stated. - FY2018First statedAnnual report
「We have not filed patent applications for our detailed technologies. Although we believe that we currently have a technological advantage, we do not hold patents or other rights. Accordingly, if competitors develop and commercialise products similar to ours, or if our know-how is leaked externally due to the loss of personnel or other reasons, this may affect our business and financial performance.」
The possibility of damages claims and injunctions against use arising from infringement of third-party intellectual property rights is also stated.