Third-party intellectual property infringement claims and securing necessary licenses
First written in FY2017. 1 of 2 entries say "Worsened", first in FY2024. Latest entry: FY2024.
Sony Group moved to the "Worse" side of this theme in 2024, 1 year before the typical company in this theme (2025).
The whole theme swung hardest in 2020: 4 of 43 companies on the "Worse" side.
1 other company's latest entry also says "Worsened".
- FY2024WorsenedAnnual report
「In addition, the use of digital technology and digital media, the global spread of the internet, and the expansion of AI technologies, including generative AI, make it more difficult for Sony to protect copyright-protected content against illegal copying, misappropriation, counterfeiting, and other forms of infringement.」
With respect to risks involving third-party intellectual property rights and the protection of Sony's own content, the company explicitly identified the possibility of unauthorized use and misappropriation resulting from the expansion of AI technologies, including generative AI. - FY2017First statedAnnual report
「Sony may face claims of infringing third-party intellectual property rights and may incur substantial liability for damages.」
The company identified risks including claims of infringement of third-party patents and other rights, inability to renew licenses, injunctions against sales, damages claims, and design changes.