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Intellectual Property
Concept of Intellectual Property Strategies
The Morinaga Group recognizes intellectual property as an important management resource.
On this basis, we promote intellectual property strategies with the aim of maximizing the value of intellectual property through the creation and utilization of intellectual property linked to our business strategies, thereby creating value for society and contributing to the enhancement of corporate value.
We have established the following basic policies in promoting intellectual property strategies.
Basic Policies for Intellectual Property Strategies
| Respect for Intellectual Property Rights of Others | We respect intellectual property rights of third parties and strive to avoid significant business risks through an effective risk management structure. |
|---|---|
| Prevention of Decline in Competitiveness through Protection of Intellectual Property and Intangible Assets |
We prevent a decline in competitiveness due to imitation or infringement of rights by third parties, enabling the provision of differentiated products. |
| Creation of New Intellectual Property and Intangible Assets | From the perspective of customer value, competitive advantage, and business contribution, we acquire intellectual property and intangible assets that will lead to the creation of new value, while also utilizing open innovation. |
| Effective Utilization of Intellectual Property and Intangible Assets | We effectively utilize intellectual property and intangible assets held by group companies and our businesses to contribute to our business and achieve continuous competitive advantage. |
Intellectual Property Strategy Organizational Structure
Aiming to effectively utilize intangible assets, including intellectual property rights, as management resources, in FY2024, we implemented organizational reforms to incorporate the Intellectual Property Strategy Group, which had been established within the R&D Center, into corporate divisions at headquarters as the Intellectual Property Strategy Division.
This will allow the Division with cross-functional roles to strengthen cooperation with other divisions and management.
Examples of Intellectual Property Protection, Creation, and Use
We introduce some examples of intellectual property protection, creation, and use in line with the strategies of the 2024 Medium-Term Business Plan.
Exploration and Research Domain: Passienol™ Initiatives
The Morinaga Group has set a goal to "change into a wellness company" by 2030.
To achieve this goal, we have launched the Passienol™ Project in 2024 to accelerate our efforts for Passienol™, a food material with health-promoting functions, which the Group has been independently researching.
We have filed for a wide range of patent applications for Passienol™, including those for manufacturing methods, and have also obtained trademark rights for product names and logos.
We will continue to protect not only our intellectual property rights but also intangible assets for the growth of our Passienol™ business.
Focused Domain: Toward Globalization of HI-CHEW
Released in 1975, HI-CHEW is now well known overseas and is currently sold in more than 30 countries around the world.
Aiming to make a global brand loved by many people in the future, we renewed the "HI-CHEW" logo from katakana to English in 2024.
To protect "HI-CHEW" as a global brand, we are in the process of acquiring trademark rights around the world.
We are also taking measures against counterfeit products and brand abuse.
Sustainable Management: Sustainability Initiatives
We developed a packaging container for transporting cup-type snacks jointly with a packaging material manufacturer to reduce the amount of paper used by approximately 60% compared to conventional products and to improve workability, and the design was registered (Design Registration No. 1783788).
*patent pending
We will continue to implement initiatives to realize a sustainable society and promote necessary rights protection.
developed products
conventional products
Strategies for Utilizing Intellectual Property and Intangible
Passienol™ was created in the course of the Group's search for proprietary materials. Among the materials we explored, we saw the most potential in passion fruit, so we began research into it in 2006, which led to the creation of Passienol™.
Passienol™ is made by extracting Piceatannol, a polyphenol derived from passion fruit seeds, with a patented technology (Patent No. 5347018).
Centered on this patented technology, we have been building our Intellectual property portfolio at each stage of raw material research, applied research, manufacturing and mass production, and product development.
We will continue to strategically utilize our intellectual property and intangible assets to expand our Passienol™ business.
