Our Approach
Mitsui Kinzoku Group recognizes intellectual property (IP) as an important management resource. Based on the Basic Intellectual Property Policy, we implement IP strategies to achieve sustainable growth and enhance our corporate value in the mid to long term.
Basic Intellectual Property Policy
- We acquire and protect the IP rights for every new product and technology resulting from implemented collaborative business and R&D strategies, in order to gain an advantage for existing businesses and seek to create new businesses.
- We comply with laws and regulations pertaining to IP rights.
- We respect the IP rights of third parties and take appropriate measures for such rights.
- We work to prevent lawsuits related to IP rights by ensuring the early detection of relevant risks and responding quickly to risks detected. Also, we will take appropriate action to address identified infringements on our IP rights.
- We build appropriate management structures to implement IP strategies and recruit and develop personnel to specialize in operations related to IP.
- We work to instill respect for IP throughout the company and establish this mindset as part of our corporate culture.
Revised in April 2022
Intellectual property governance system
In the Group, the senior general manager of the Technology Sector, who supervises the Intellectual Property Department, reports the policy and status of intellectual property activities through the Board of Directors to the President and other officers who direct business execution.
As for the senior general managers of business sectors, the heads of business departments, and the general manager of the Development Department, the general manager of the Intellectual Property Department and others meet with them to report on the status of individual intellectual property activities and discuss activities to obtain IP rights. Through these efforts, we are working to protect, properly manage, and increase the value of intellectual property obtained in the process of creating new businesses and enhancing existing businesses.
We strive to improve the technology infrastructure and develop relevant personnel for maximizing the effect of promoting GX and DX initiatives, while continuing to provide various services including sophisticated analysis of IP data using IP landscapes*.
We actively implement initiatives to improve the IP governance, including system development, developing high-value-added businesses utilizing intellectual assets, and disseminating IP information outside the Group.
＊ IP landscapes stands for Intellectual Property Landscape, a method used to survey and analyze intellectual properties belonging to the company and others and combine outcomes with information in the market, etc. for use as part of the company’s management strategy.
Previously, we assigned IP staff members to each business sector as a concurrent position. However, starting from FY2025, to flexibly respond to the reorganization of the business portfolio, we have revoked the concurrent assignments except for those within the Business Creation Sector. On the other hand, by continuing to distribute IP staff members close to each site, we are developing IP activities closely aligned with them.
Number of patents registered globally
Activities in the Group
The senior general manager of the Technology Sector, the general manager of the Intellectual Property Department, and IP managers in each business sectors/the head of the Intellectual Property Office regularly meet with the senior general managers of business sectors and other managers to discuss IP strategies and related initiatives.
The Business Creation Sector actively files and acquires patents to create new businesses. The Engineered Materials Sector files and acquires patents to protect existing businesses and newly developed products, while also taking inventory of patents and other measures to improve efficiency.
As a result, while the number of acquired patent families showed a downward trend, the Patent Asset Index increased at a CAGR of 2% (compared to FY2020) thanks to an increase in the Competitive Impact＊. These data illustrate our progress in the construction of intellectual property and intangible assets. (See the graph below.)
＊Valuation data calculated by PatentSight® provided by LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions.
A patent family is a bundle of patent applications in multiple countries based on the same basic application. Competitive Impact (CI) is the average of indicators showing the competitiveness and quality of a patent family.
Changes in Competitive Impact, Patent Asset Index and Patent Family
(The entire Group)
Detailed related data is disclosed in the Integrated Report.
Integrated Report Intellectual Property Management（pages 42-43）[PDF：6.0MB]
Integrated Report ESG data （page 134）[PDF：3.9MB]
Strengthening the human resources that support IP activities
With our understanding that “People create IP and people use the IP that has been created,” the Intellectual Property Department provides IP trainings for engineers which cover beginner to advanced levels. These trainings are incorporated in company-wide skill up programs hosted by the Human Resources Department. In addition, to improve IP literacy, a tailor-made IP trainig for each business environment is provided by dedicated IP managers therein.
Furthermore, the skills required of IP department members are becoming increasingly diverse. In response, the Intellectual Property Department encourages its members to actively participate in outside training and study groups. Also, it holds internal lectures by experts active on the front lines of the IP field, as appropriate.
Inventions by Employees
Mitsui Kinzoku Group has established and applies rules for handling inventions in accordance with the Patent Act in Japan to encourage inventions by employees. Rather than inventions by employees belonging to the company, inventors receive reasonable benefits for submission of IP after filling and wage of IP after granted, etc.