Intellectual Property Protection
Approach to Materiality in the Protection of Intellectual Property
The strength of Advantest is its state-of-the-art technological capabilities. Therefore, we believe protecting our intellectual property as the source of our competitiveness vital to persist as an enterprise.
| Supervising division | Intellectual Property Management |
|---|---|
| KPI | Ratio of e-learning students in periodic education about intellectual property |
| FY2018 target | 100% |
| FY2016 result | 98.7% |
| Boundary (scope) | Advantest Group |
| Relevant policies | IP Management Policy and relevant agreements and bylaws |
| Relevant commitments | - |
| Responsible department/division | Intellectual Property Management |
| Relevant complaint processing policy | - |
| Assessment | ✔(Cleared over 98% of fiscal 2016 targets set as interim targets) |
Basic Philosophy
In relation to intellectual property, Advantest’s overarching policy is to observe all related laws and regulations and to respect the intellectual property rights of third parties.
Organization of Intellectual Property Management
The organization illustrated below was developed to ensure that intellectual property is managed appropriately on a global basis.
In fiscal 2016, we revised our Group-wide intellectual property management system and selected IP strategic committee members from each business location in Japan and overseas.
IP strategic committee members who are selected by business leaders formulated patent application strategies related to our business strategies.
Employees in charge of intellectual property meet periodically with each IP strategy committee member to advance intellectual property activities related to our businesses.
Organization of Intellectual property management
Employee Education about Intellectual Property
At Advantest, in order to improve awareness of intellectual property among all employees, we are conducting technical training for junior employees and e-learning for all Group employees.
In fiscal 2016, we conducted more expert-level education for technical staff by separating e-learning for technical staff and for general employees.
We will continue conducting this education for our employee in fiscal 2017.
Disputes and Litigation Relating to Intellectual Property
As of 31 March 2017 there were no such disputes.
