Risk of inadequate protection of intellectual property and infringement of third-party rights
First written in FY2017. 1 of 4 entries say "Materialised", first in FY2019. Latest entry: FY2026.
The whole theme swung hardest in 2017: 1 of 8 companies on the "Worse" side.
0 other companies' latest entry also says "Other".
- FY2026Target technology updatedAnnual report
「The group holds patents relating to separator and ion-exchange membrane manufacturing technologies for lithium-ion secondary batteries, and intends to continue research and development and file additional patent applications as necessary.」
The scope of the intellectual property risk is described as covering ion-exchange membrane manufacturing technology in addition to conventional separators. - FY2022MitigatedAnnual report
「Asahi Kasei did not appeal, so the judgment invalidating the patent became final. As the patent invalidation became final, the patent infringement lawsuit filed by Asahi Kasei against us was also withdrawn.」
The judgment invalidating Asahi Kasei's Korean patent became final, and the patent infringement lawsuit was withdrawn, reducing the litigation risk. - FY2019MaterialisedAnnual report
「On 29 January 2020, Asahi Kasei Corporation (head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) filed a patent infringement lawsuit with the Seoul Central District Court against us and our consolidated subsidiary W-SCOPE KOREA CO., LTD., alleging infringement of Korean Patent No. 10-0977345 in relation to certain of our products.」
The risk of infringing third-party intellectual property rights materialized in the form of a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Asahi Kasei based on a Korean patent. W-SCOPE KOREA filed a request for a patent invalidation trial on 11 March 2020. - FY2017First statedAnnual report
「However, not all patents currently filed or to be filed in the future by the group are necessarily registered, and the group's technology and know-how may not always be adequately protected. In addition, the group remains attentive to avoiding infringement of third-party intellectual property rights and conducts periodic investigations through external attorneys, patent attorneys and others. If the group were to infringe a third party's intellectual property rights, that party could seek an injunction against manufacturing, damages and other remedies.」
The possibility of insufficient patent registration or protection of technology and know-how, as well as the risks of injunctions against manufacturing, damages and other consequences arising from infringement of third-party intellectual property rights, are described as separate items. Investigations through external attorneys, patent attorneys and others are also conducted.