Intellectual Property Management Plan
Intellectual Property Management Plan
To strengthen our industry leadership and safeguard the hard-won achievements in advanced technology, the company is formulating an intellectual property strategy that aligns with its operational goals and research and development resources. By leveraging intellectual property rights, we aim to create value for the company. This strategy not only protects the company's operational freedom but also enhances our competitive advantage. Furthermore, it serves as a lever for profitability by attracting opportunities that contribute to the overall success of the enterprise.
1. Patent
The company's patent management strategy is designed to encourage employees to propose ideas, thereby stimulating active research and development efforts. The primary responsibility for development lies with the research and development units to enhance the company's competitiveness and operational vitality. Periodically, external patent law firms are engaged to handle patent applications. Additionally, through mechanisms such as a review system, incentive structures, awareness campaigns, and talent development initiatives, the company ensures the protection of its research and development outcomes and maintains a leading position in technology.
2. Trademarks
The company's trademark management strategy primarily involves a global brand layout covering various important products. The strategy includes reviewing the usage status of registered trademarks to assess the need for ongoing maintenance. Additionally, extensions are carried out as needed to ensure that trademarks are used within their valid periods. The legal department conducts an annual trademark inventory, reviewing the effectiveness of the company's trademarks and registering them for management, allowing the management to stay informed about the latest intellectual property information of the company.
3. Business Secret
The Company's trade secret management strategy adopts a "normative confidentiality approach" by establishing the "Trade Secret Management Measures." This involves systematically recording, integrating, and utilizing trade secrets that provide a competitive advantage to the company. The strategy includes measures such as classifying and labeling confidential information, controlling access and retrieval permissions for confidential information, and managing confidential information related to foreign affairs. These steps are taken to minimize potential losses to shareholder interests due to claims and litigation related to intellectual property rights.
For the recruitment of new employees, it is required to inform them of the relevant confidentiality regulations during the interview process and obtain the signature on the "Confidentiality Declaration" and the "Employee Code of Conduct Declaration." When personnel leave the company, they should sign the "Departure Confidentiality Commitment" to clearly communicate the confidentiality obligations they must adhere to after leaving the company.
The company employs the following "physical security measures" to effectively restrict external access to trade secrets and sensitive information:
- Access Control Security ManagementAll company employees are equipped with access control magnetic cards, and their access permissions are based on their departmental attributes. Non-company employees entering for visits are required to register their identity, and their activities are limited to the public space on the first floor, with constant accompaniment by company employees.
- Information Security ManagementAll computer equipment in the company requires login identification using individual employee accounts and passwords, which are regularly changed.
- Department-Specific SpacesEach department in the company has its dedicated physical and virtual file storage space, independently planned and used by the respective departments. For physical spaces, key management is ensured, and for virtual spaces, read and write permissions are configured.
- Confidentiality Awareness CampaignThe company sends out a monthly email with policy updates on trade secrets. Additionally, an annual trade secrets education and online assessment are conducted through an e-learning platform. Furthermore, periodic thematic case-sharing sessions are held during weekly meetings to ensure that all personnel have a clear understanding of trade secrets, effectively promoting the establishment of legal awareness.
Implementation status
Since 2016, the company has been implementing an intellectual property management system and has actively promoted an intellectual property management plan since 2020. Here are the main execution details in recent years:
ü In 2019, the "Intellectual Property Rights Management Regulations" were revised, and the company's intellectual property management plan was enhanced.
ü In 2020, the "Trade Secrets Management Regulations" were established, and the parent company's trade secret management system was implemented.
ü In 2021, the trade secret management systems for subsidiaries in Foshan, Dongguan, Kunshan, Fuqing, and Indonesia were successively established.
ü In 2022, the trade secret management systems for subsidiaries in Vietnam, including Nan Pao, Da Deng, and Ning Ping, were completed. Intellectual property and trade secret protection were included in key mandatory courses, accompanied by online assessments to enhance employee participation and strengthen their awareness and understanding of intellectual property protection.
ü Developments and executions in 2023:
- Completion of the trade secret management system for the subsidiary NNV.
- Implementation of a trade secret document management platform on TEAMS at the parent company. Establishment of confidential information custodian teams in various units to integrate and simplify the management of confidential information lists across departments. This TEAMS team serves as a platform for sharing relevant cases and publishing trade secret-related announcements.
- Implementation of a document encryption system and establishment of document traces by the parent company's R&D and Environmental Safety units.
- As of the end of November 2023, a total of 812 participants attended the online trade secret course, accumulating 208 hours of training, with a passing rate of 99.05%.
- Regular reporting on the execution status of the intellectual property management plan to the board of directors is conducted in the fourth quarter each year, with the most recent report submitted on December 20, 2023.
Intellectual Property Inventory and Achievements
n Patents: As of the end of November 2023, the company has applied for and been granted a total of 93 patents worldwide, including 55 "invention" patents and 38 "utility model" patents.
n Trademarks: As of the end of November 2023, the company has applied for and been granted a total of 407 trademarks worldwide.