Contents

Introduction

Management

Social (S)Environment (E)Governance (G)Recognition / Assurance

Human Assets | Diversity & Inclusion | Human Rights | Employee Health & Safety / Work-Life Balance | Supply Chain Management | Research and Development | Intellectual Property | Total Quality Assurance | Engagement | Social Contribution Activities

Intellectual Property
Basic Approach

Intellectual Property Structure

IP Management Initiatives

ApproachPromotion framework

The TOPPAN Group sees intellectual property (IP) as a core

We have launched a project to enhance our IP capabilities bysource of competitiveness in business. We follow an IP strategy

integrating business, R&D, and IP strategies across the Group.

that secures competitive advantages in markets.

Project participants discussed the ideal structure for the future

We maintain an accurate picture of our intellectual property

and concluded that the IP function must be strengthened,

portfolio by classifying all of the patents we hold in products,

plans, we will further link IP activities with R&D and market-

leading to the establishment of an Intellectual Property Division

services, and technologies in accordance with a set of in-houseoriented activities to acquire intellectual property rights for thespun out from the Legal Affairs & Intellectual Property Division

criteria. Efforts are also underway to quantify the value of theproducts and services generated from our integrated efforts.

in April 2022.

patents held by assessing them with a set of in-house indicators

Based on an IP strategy aligned with our business and R&D

Intensified IP initiatives will ensure that we have the IP

Activity results, performance data

Meanwhile, IP strategy departments newly set up in theFoundations for Patent Portfolio Management

in combination with external indicators conventionally used.

capabilities needed to bolster the business portfolio

business divisions are coordinating with the strategy

transformation and business management of the Group.

departments in the Intellectual Property Division to build themanaging our patent portfolio in ways optimal for the ongoingfoundation for advancing IP initiatives at TOPPAN.

transformation of the business portfolio of the TOPPAN Group.

2. We strategically use the intellectual property we have created toenhance corporate value and attain sustainable growth throughthe execution of Group management, higher business profits, andeffective solutions for social issues.
3. We respect the intellectual property rights of others and takeappropriate proactive/preemptive measures to avoid rights
infringements when operating our businesses.

charge of activities focused on IP issues throughout the Group.

IP Management for DX and SX Businesses
The Medium Term Plan sets a goal of growing us into a leading
provider of solutions for social issues through DX and SX

IP Enhancement Project
Planning
departments
Administration
departments
Strategy
departments
IP application/acquisition
departments

R&D Strategy
OfficeApplica- Strategy
tions
Develop-ment

TOPPAN TechnicalResearch InstituteStrategy
departments
Technology
development
departments

Business
Development
Division

1. We develop proactive intellectual property initiatives from a
global perspective based on an intellectual property strategy thatfurther aligns our market-oriented stance and R&D activities
by positioning intellectual property and intangible assets asimportant management resources to generate competitiveness inbusiness.

direct the IP enhancement project to comprehensively takeinitiatives. As such, we will continue to examine the patents wehold in DX and SX businesses and enrich our DX/SX patentportfolio in line with the Medium Term Plan.

Businessdivisions

Property

IP and technical managers from the business divisions

Intellectual Property
Division

TOPPAN Group Basic Policy on Intellectual

These activities, applied together, form foundations for

4. We comply with the laws and regulations pertinent to intellectual
property rights across the world and exercise our legitimate rights
appropriately when any of our intellectual property rights is
infringed by a third party.
5. We appropriately and accurately use the trademarks we hold toenhance our brand value.

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Sustainability Report 2023

ContentsIntroduction

Management

Social (S)Environment (E)Governance (G)Recognition / Assurance

Human Assets | Diversity & Inclusion | Human Rights | Employee Health & Safety / Work-Life Balance | Supply Chain Management | Research and Development | Intellectual Property | Total Quality Assurance | Engagement | Social Contribution Activities

Driving Open Innovation

Global IP Initiatives

to register and protect design and brand rights for our products
and services.
Another focus is brand protection through the appropriate

We have been implementing an open innovation program called

TOPPAN has acquired intellectual property rights by filing“co-necto” since 2017. The program solicits outstanding businessapplications in about 40 countries and regions throughout thefiling of trademark applications for services in DX business,

ideas mainly from startups and advances those ideas with ourworld. Our direct connections with patent offices in major

especially for Erhoeht-XTM, the brand symbolizing our DX

management resources to co-create a new business.

countries back up our global Group operations.

expansion.

A co-necto venture starts with field trials aiming at co-We will further increase IP applications in countries with

Turning to trademarks in SX business, we deliver services

creation by three parties: the TOPPAN Group, a startup, and aimportant markets for our business and in countries where weunder S-VALUE®, a brand that offers fulfilling, comfortablelocal partner company. The field trials explore the best market

operate our major production sites. The applications will belifestyles in a sustainable society.

to fit a new service, product, or solution springing from thefocused on security solutions, packaging, and décor materials,

collaboration of three parties. Eighty-six startups entered thisthe three business segments targeted for expansion in theand services, we have also filed applications for image-based

program and three field trials were performed in fiscal 2022.

Medium Term Plan.

designs for the graphical user interfaces (GUIs) often used for
our DX services, based on the extended set of design categories

We support the ventures from an IP perspective byconducting simple IP due diligence before the field trial
implementation.

In addition to the designs for packaging and other productsProtecting Designs and Brands

to be protected under the amended Design Act of Japan.
Through these IP applications, we strive to use design andWe recognize that patents to protect proprietary technologies

trademark rights and patents in ways amenable to securing aand property rights to protect designs and brands are essential

mix of intellectual property rights that bring us a competitive

to ensuring the uniqueness and high competitiveness of theedge in business.

businesses developed under the TOPPAN brand. And
recognizing the importance of designs and trademarks, we work

Design and Brand Protection

IP mix for a DX business

Service name registered asa trademark (TrademarkRegistration No. 6191774)
GUI registered as animage-based design(Design Registration
No. 1683628)

A patented technology that links factory devices
with a web application (Patent No. 6981566)

76

Sustainability Report 2023

Contents

Introduction

Management

Social (S)Environment (E)Governance (G)Recognition / Assurance

Human Assets | Diversity & Inclusion | Human Rights | Employee Health & Safety / Work-Life Balance | Supply Chain Management | Research and Development | Intellectual Property | Total Quality Assurance | Engagement | Social Contribution Activities

Intellectual Property Strategy

IP Training and Talent Development

Commendation

Approach

Training, education

Activity results, performance data

We aim to establish a framework that enables the business

The Intellectual Property Division leads the implementation ofdepartments to formulate and implement their own IP strategies

Groupwide IP training programs. The division releases news onin line with the business plan of the Group. The following

intellectual property at regular intervals and arranges e-learning

Toppan Inc. won an award from the Commissioner of the Japanmeasures have been taken to form this framework: IP analysis

and group-training programs tailored to each employee’sPatent Office (JPO) at the Intellectual Property Achievement

to determine the direction of technology development based onexperience and duties. We continue to enhance the IPAwards organized by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade

hypothetical business plans (e.g., a clear understanding of

knowledge of individual human assets, along with their abilities

and Industry (METI) and JPO in fiscal 2022. METI and JPO

positioning); construction of an IP portfolio linked to technology

to effectively use that knowledge.

recognized Toppan Inc. as a corporation that effectively utilizes

development aiming at gaining business advantages; planning

Personnel at the Intellectual Property Division also provide

FY 2022 Intellectual Property Achievement Awardintellectual property rights, especially patents.
We will advance IP activities under a comprehensive

and execution of IP strategies for clearing obstacles posed by theIP support through all the stages from invention consultation tointellectual properties of competitors.

IP application, to any investee companies that need IP

strategy closely linked to our business and R&D strategies toresources.

enhance the corporate value of TOPPAN through theStrategy, technology, and IP departments formulate aGroupwide IP strategy by jointly preparing an original IP

The division personnel further enhance customer trust bystrategy sheet. The business departments have been using thisvisiting SME business partners across Japan to hold onsite IP

sheet to identify TOPPAN’s strengths in the businesses theytraining on topics such as patents and trademarks.

transformation of our business portfolio.

handle by reviewing market environments, technological trends,
and the intellectual property rights held by the Group andcompetitors. Once our strengths are confirmed, we search forthe optimal approaches to applying for and acquiring IP
throughout our business.

Division or Subdivision
Hypothetical business plans
IP strategy departments

IPanalysis

IP strategies

Technology developmentdepartments

Technology strategies
Business strategies

77

Sustainability Report 2023

Contents

Introduction

Management

Social (S)Environment (E)Governance (G)Recognition / Assurance

Human Assets | Diversity & Inclusion | Human Rights | Employee Health & Safety / Work-Life Balance | Supply Chain Management | Research and Development | Intellectual Property | Total Quality Assurance | Engagement | Social Contribution Activities

Acquisition of Intellectual Property Rights (Toppan Inc.)
Activity results, performance data
*The number of applications, etc. may increase or decrease when we change our in-house aggregation methods.

No. of Patent Applications (Japan)
1,500
1,000

1,102

1,184

No. of Overseas IP Applications (PCT)
1,362

250
200
150

145

173

100

500

5002020

2021

2022

(ﬁscal year)

No. of Patents Held (Japan)
6,000

194

5,377

5,502

060

2,00002020

2021

Basic research,
applied research, etc.

2022

(ﬁscal year)

Living & Industry

47%

11%

Electronics 19%(ﬁscal year)

39514120

Portfolio of Patents Held by Business Field (Japan)

Information &Communication(traditionalbusiness) 15%

2022

80

5,430

40

DX business 8%2021

No. of Design Applications (Japan)

4,0000

2020

200

156

150
100

patents500*as of March 31, 2023

2021

2022

(ﬁscal year)

No. of Trademark Applications (Japan)

Total of5,430

2020

98

2020

2021

78

126

2022

(ﬁscal year)

Sustainability Report 2023