Intellectual Property

In recent years, the intellectual property (IP) environment in the automotive industry has been undergoing significant change and diversification. Due to technological development having shifted to areas referred to as “CASE,” the areas in which innovations are created have also changed.

In accordance with that change, protection methods are not limited to traditional industrial IP rights and the importance of managing a broader range of assets is increasing — encompassing software and data management as well as the black-boxing of know-how. In addition, due to changes in technological development, opportunities for the utilization (sell/buy, license, enforcement, etc.) of IP between increasingly diverse industries will increase and crossover between industries will become more active — for example, dealing with the standard essential patents that must be used when adopting technical standards in new areas. New IP disputes with non-competing entities other than automakers are also on the rise.

In the counterfeit goods market, where IP is used illegally, the distribution and sales channels for counterfeit products are also changing from stores to e-commerce sites as the internationalization of supply chains continues to accelerate.

Faced with a diverse innovation environment, an active IP-utilization environment and a changing market for counterfeit products, Nissan recognizes the following social opportunities and threats:

・In an environment in which global IP is properly respected and efficiently utilized, and the creation and utilization of innovation is stimulated in a healthy manner, IP can contribute greatly to solving a variety of social and environmental problems.

・In contrast, overlooking the expansion of the counterfeit product market — which has become a breeding ground for illegal use of IP — threatens to obstruct the creation of an environment that promotes the creation and utilization of innovation in a healthy manner, as described above.

Based on these changing environments, social opportunities and threats, Nissan aims to promote global innovation, and the coexistence and co-prosperity of individuals, society and the Earth through the appropriate utilization of IP.

To achieve these aims, we are promoting the establishment of an IP ecosystem^*1 through the creation, protection and utilization of IP in a flexible and effective manner, while remaining aware of any changes in the IP environment and through measures taken in accordance with the law, such as the appropriate exercise of rights and measures to combat counterfeit products. We are particularly focused on developing our IP management as well as the mutual use of our own and other companies’ IP while promoting innovation not only within Nissan but throughout the market. We are also eager to contribute to the realization of a healthy IP ecosystem by leading revitalization of the IP market. We aim to prevent the distribution of potentially harmful counterfeit products by enforcing IP rights and applying the Unfair Competition Prevention Act in cooperation with administrative agencies of multiple countries.

*1: The term “IP ecosystem” refers to the so-called ecology of IP, which also includes the concept of an IP cycle, i.e., a positive cycle of development to create, protect and make strategic use of IP. Specifically, this indicates a system based on IP being created under the IP cycle, in which people have a positive impact on each other and on society to autonomously establish new ideas and values. (Source: Japan Patent Office: Mission, Vision and Values (MVV): https://www.jpo.go.jp/e/introduction/tokkyo_mvv.html)

For more details, please view the Sustainability data book.