Risk of Intellectual Property Infringement and Litigation
First written in FY2016. 2 of 4 entries say "Restated". Latest entry: FY2024.
The whole theme swung hardest in 2025: 9 of 59 companies on the "Worse" side.
- FY2024RestatedAnnual report
「If products and other goods handled by our group, as well as medical instruments, infringe patents or other intellectual property rights held by other companies, litigation, suspension of sales or payment of damages may result, creating a risk of affecting our profit or loss and financial position. We therefore seek to mitigate these risks by investigating relevant third-party patents and consulting external experts as appropriate during product development.」
The intellectual property risk and mitigation measures involving searches of third-party patents and consultation with external experts continue to be disclosed. - FY2020MitigatedAnnual report
「If products and other goods handled by our group, as well as medical instruments, infringe patents or other intellectual property rights, litigation may arise and sales may be discontinued, potentially affecting our profit or loss and financial position. We therefore seek to mitigate these risks by consulting external experts as appropriate during product development.」
A measure to address the risk of intellectual property infringement by consulting external experts during product development has been specified. - FY2017RestatedAnnual report
「If products and other items handled by our group infringe the patents or other intellectual property rights of third parties, we may abandon sales or become involved in disputes. Conversely, if we believe that a third party is infringing our group’s patents or other intellectual property rights, we may file a lawsuit to protect those rights. Developments in these matters may affect profit or loss and financial position.」
Risks relating both to infringement of third-party rights and to protection of our own rights continue to be disclosed. - FY2016First statedAnnual report
「If products and other items handled by our group infringe the patents or other intellectual property rights of third parties, we may abandon sales or become involved in disputes. Conversely, if we believe that a third party is infringing our group’s patents or other intellectual property rights, we may file a lawsuit to protect those rights. Developments in these matters may affect profit or loss and financial position.」
The possibility of abandoning sales, becoming involved in disputes and filing lawsuits is disclosed for both infringement of third-party rights and protection of our own rights.