Amid an environment of high-speed technical innovation, it is necessary for companies to work hand in hand in taking approaches to “co-create” their values to tackle diversified social problems, knowing that a single company cannot solve such problems alone. In this regard, it is worth noting that Japanese companies are disclosing information of their technical assets, such as registered patents, and aiming for “co-creation” beyond their industry to solve such problems. This article introduces some case examples of Japanese companies opening their patents to the public.
Panasonic “Tech Index”
In September 2023, Panasonic HD released their website for “Tech Index,” which makes a viewer available to search for IP information including their owned patents. Panasonic and all of its group companies hold more than 100,000 intellectual property rights. The company is aiming to create new products and new services by encouraging distribution of licenses of dormant patents to third parties and for co-development and joint research. The disclosed information is categorized into two types: “well-being” for human sustainable health and “environment” for a carbon neutral society. The searches are available by objectives. A large amount of information covers EVs, unique technology which infers human emotional states with a sensor, etc. The company stated that “achieving carbon neutrality is impossible feat for only one company. We would like to cooperate with various companies to achieve that goal.”
Website (Japanese only): https://co-creation.holdings.panasonic/jp/techidx/
Mitsubishi Electric “Open Technology Bank”
In 2021, Mitsubishi Electric launched their “Open Technology Bank” website, which fosters external collaboration with their intellectual property. Their technical assets are made public through the website. The company proactively promotes “co-creation” with external organizations by giving a license of their patent to companies in various technical fields. Approximately 40 cases including “recycling technology of plastic materials,” “microbubble washing technology,” “remote-control and operation technology for visibly challenged persons,” etc. are listed online. The website offers a viewer search terms, such as issues of “energy saving” and “environmental measures” and themes of “smart factory” and “space business.” The company previously used to utilize their patents to win “completions” among companies when they enforced their patents to third parties, concluded an exclusive license, or prevented acts of counterfeiting. Now, the company has changed their strategy to promote “co-creation” with external bodies. The company is finding new ways of possible collaboration with proactively disclosed technical information.
Website (Japanese only): https://www.mitsubishielectric.co.jp/corporate/chiteki/otb/index.html
