Intellectual Property

Basic policy regarding intellectual property rights

The Sodick Group places importance on acquiring and protecting development rights to technologically differentiate our products and services. We have formulated the following basic policy on intellectual property rights.

The Company recognizes that intellectual property is an important management asset and will strive to protect and utilize intellectual property.
The Company will comply with laws, regulations, and internal Company guidelines related to intellectual property and will respect other companies’ intellectual property.
On the basis of analysis of patent information, the Company will formulate appropriate intellectual property strategies to secure sustainable growth and enhance corporate value.

Intellectual property management structure

The Intellectual Property Department of Sodick is under the direct control of the President and has responsibility for all operations related to the intellectual property in the Sodick Group. The Intellectual Property Department manages, unitarily and transversely, all the intellectual property of business divisions, and can facilitate making the intellectual property strategy while considering the synergies of the Sodick Group as a whole.
Intellectual Property Department staff are stationed at the Head Office/Research and Technology Center (Yokohama, Japan) and the Kaga Factory (Japan) to ensure smooth coordination with engineers and management.

Intellectual Property Landscape

We recognize Intellectual Property Landscape (IPL) as one of Sodick’s most important intellectual property administrative operations. IPL is a methodology for formulating business strategies and corporate decision-making and effectively utilizing the outcome through the comprehensive analysis of patent/non-patent information, the current situation, and future predictions. To strengthen the IPL operations, we encourage all members of the Intellectual Property Department to obtain the specialist certification of “Intellectual Property Analyst (Patent), certified by the Association of Intellectual Property Education.”

Proactive approach to intellectual property

In 2022, the Intellectual Property Department launched the IPL to “take a proactive approach to intellectual property.” We aim to firmly tie investment in intangible assets to the future enhancement of corporate value and shorten this cycle. To instill a spirit of “active intellectual property” in Sodick, we provided the R&D department and planning department in each division with demonstrations on the IPL.
For example, at the food machinery segment, we have included intellectual property strategy meetings as one of our strategy planning meetings. With the mission of “creating a safe, secure, healthy, and delicious food culture,” the Food Machinery Division is establishing a business foundation as a “comprehensive, global manufacturer of food machinery” in this growing market, as well as achieving greater sustainability. We are supporting the Food Machinery Division’s activities by conducting big data analysis of patent/non-patent information from the perspective of intellectual property, with a focus on the CIP^* and sterilization technologies that have competitive advantages. We are also compiling market analysis reports regarding growth potential in the food machinery market, our strengths and weaknesses, and technological developments at potential competitors.

Cleaning in Place: Stationary cleaning that is automatically carried out inside the machine without the need for disassembly

Sodick’s strengths in intellectual property

Machine tool segment

One recent development achievement that has earned high acclaim is our i groove wire rotation mechanism for wire-cut EDMs. To secure i groove as a proprietary Sodick technology, we have filed global patent applications and obtained patents in Japan (Patent No. 6754165), the United States, Europe (Germany and the United Kingdom), China, Taiwan, South Korea, India, Singapore, and Thailand.

Industrial machinery segment

One challenge with vent-type injection molding machines has been vent contamination, where resin material leaks from the vent holes and disrupts continuous molding. Sodick’s V-LINE system, which does not involve back-and-forth screw movement, is much less prone to vent contamination. To further address this issue, we developed an automatic condition correction function called AI-VENT (Patent No. 6804674).
Our Nendy-E (Patent Nos. 7328431 and 7560623) is a device that, when attached to a V-LINE injection molding machine, uses the machine’s mechanism to measure the melt viscosity of resin materials. Using Nendy-E to measure and manage melt viscosity makes it easier to assess the degradation of resin materials, which helps ensure the consistency of molded product quality.

Targets and progress related to intellectual property

From the perspective of improving corporate profitability, in 2024, we optimized our patent portfolio in line with our business strategy by applying a “selection and concentration” approach to intangible asset investments. Since 2023, meanwhile, we have been using IPL to support strategic planning. Here, we analyze intellectual property, market data, and other information to help formulate more precise business strategies.
We continue to focus on addressing counterfeit products, taking proactive legal action in particular against sellers and manufacturers of counterfeits in China. To protect the Sodick brand, we will also continue acquiring trademark and design rights, pursuing litigation, monitoring and requesting the removal of infringing items on e-commerce platforms, and canceling fraudulent trademark applications.

Governance

Intellectual Property

Basic policy regarding intellectual property rights