Sustainability Management Innovation (Respect for Intellectual Property)

Basic Approach

We will gain a sustainable competitive edge in our specialty chemicals business by having our business, R&D, and IP departments collaborate closely in IP initiatives.

Management System

For the specialty chemicals business, we hold IP strategy meetings on realizing business ideals, in which we discuss IP acquisitions and progress with investments. Regular reports on overall IP activities go to the Strategic Management Meeting and the Board of Directors. These groups then issue instructions on and supervise policies and execution approaches for IP efforts.

Performance

Status of Owned Patents

In fiscal 2023, the Company registered 178 new patents, bringing the total number of owned patents to 2,789 as of March 2024. In recent years, the number of patents and new patent registrations has declined after splitting off one of the chemicals businesses and taking inventory of patents held, but through steadfast procedures around patent rights, we were able to bring the above number in line with previous fiscal years’ levels.

To center our corporate group on specialty chemicals, we have recently been raising the number of patent applications made from the specialty business as well as registration rates, and we plan to continue such policies.

Number of Registered Patents by Portfolio*
(As of March 31, 2024)

Initiatives

Safeguarding and Utilizing Intellectual Property

For new inventions, our application review council assesses their essences and patentability and determines the scope of rights in view of the supply chain and future implementation approaches. By deciding appropriately on whether to keep information open or closed, we seek to sufficiently safeguard our technical achievements, establish high barriers to entry through IP, and build a sustainable competitive edge for our businesses.

Patent Clearance

We endeavor to respect the IP rights of other companies as we do our own. We accordingly do our utmost to conduct patent clearance searches and minimize business risks in existing businesses and at the commercialization stage in R&D.

Incentive System

In line with employee invention rules, we incentivize inventors upon applying for, registering, and implementing patent protections. At UBE Group R&D briefings, we honor inventors of patents that have contributed significantly to our business. Such recognition motivates inventors and encourages them to pursue further advances.

Employee Education

We are continuously improving the understanding of IP within the UBE Group, and conducting relevant education to foster a culture that is focused on and respects IP. In the past year, we made increased efforts to introduce e-Learning on IP, gave instruction on methods to determine the value of a patent, and provided and exchanged IP information within the Group.