Protection of intellectual property rights and litigation risks
First written in FY2016. 3 of 6 entries say "Mitigated", first in FY2019-Q3. Latest entry: FY2020-Q3.
The whole theme swung hardest in 2025: 9 of 58 companies on the "Worse" side.
- FY2020-Q3MitigatedAnnual report
「In addition to recording quarterly profit before tax of ¥2,591.8 million and depreciation and amortization of ¥2,541.6 million, and receiving patent litigation settlement proceeds, cash inflows were ¥2,007.6 million due to increases in inventories, decreases in trade and other payables, and payment of corporate income taxes (¥7,092.2 million in the same period of the previous year).」
Receipt of the settlement proceeds relating to the patent dispute with ASML and Zeiss was reflected in cash flow, indicating that the settlement had progressed to the implementation stage. - FY2019MitigatedAnnual report
「Granting of patent licenses for lithography equipment and digital cameras」
Regarding the patent dispute with ASML and Carl Zeiss, we disclosed a mutual technical assistance agreement covering the period from 18 February 2019 to 18 February 2029, and recorded ¥18.74 billion in patent litigation settlement income in the semiconductor equipment business. - FY2019-Q3MitigatedAnnual report
「Although an administrative law judge of the U.S. International Trade Commission (the “ITC”) issued an initial determination on 17 August 2018 that Nikon digital cameras infringed shared patents held by Carl Zeiss AG and ASML Netherlands B.V., on 23 January 2019 we entered into a legally binding memorandum of understanding with ASML Holding N.V. (“ASML”) and Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH (“Zeiss”) concerning a comprehensive settlement of all litigation relating to patents for semiconductor lithography equipment and digital cameras. The terms of the memorandum of understanding include a total payment of €150 million (approximately ¥19 billion*) by ASML and Zeiss to us. The memorandum of understanding also includes a cross-license agreement under which the parties will make reciprocal royalty payments equivalent to 0.8% of annual sales of immersion lithography equipment for 10 years from the date the final agreement is executed.」
Regarding patent infringement litigation, we entered into a memorandum of understanding with ASML and Zeiss for a legally binding comprehensive settlement. The agreement includes a total payment of €150 million and a cross-license under which the parties will make reciprocal payments equivalent to 0.8% of annual sales of immersion lithography equipment for 10 years, but execution of the final agreement and withdrawal of the litigation remained scheduled matters. - FY2019-Q2MaterialisedAnnual report
「On 17 August 2018, an administrative law judge of the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issued an initial determination that Nikon digital cameras infringed shared patents held by Carl Zeiss AG and ASML Netherlands B.V. However, this was an initial determination, and we have requested a review by the Commission to overturn it. The final determination is currently scheduled for 19 December 2018, although it may be postponed by a decision of the Commission.」
Regarding intellectual property rights, an ITC administrative law judge actually issued an initial determination of infringement of shared patents, and Nikon requested a review. - FY2017RestatedAnnual report
「Our Group acquires and holds numerous intellectual property rights in connection with product development.」
We continue to disclose the risks of unauthorized use of our intellectual property, infringement of third-party intellectual property, litigation costs and impacts on earnings. - FY2016First statedAnnual report
「Our Group acquires and holds numerous intellectual property rights in connection with product development.」
We anticipate lawsuits over unauthorized use of our rights, lawsuits alleging infringement of third-party rights, litigation costs and lower profit margins.