To formulate and implement intellectual property strategies, Epson's Intellectual Property Division provides functional organizations for all types of intellectual property rights. Each functional organization has an IP staff that corresponds to each of the technology development division and operations divisions. Their job is work with these groups to formulate and carry out intellectual property strategies.
Intellectual property activities at Epson are carried out by an extensive organization that encompasses the approximately 200-person staff of Seiko Epson's Intellectual Property Division along with the personnel with IP duties within Seiko Epson's technology development division and operations divisions and within domestic and overseas Epson Group affiliates.

Epson's Intellectual Property Division located in Japan manages our IP activities worldwide. The Intellectual Property Division works with the legal, intellectual property, and sales and marketing departments of domestic and overseas Epson Group affiliates to resolve intellectual property issues, conclude agreements, and lead coordination of measures against counterfeits in each region of the world.

Epson has acquired and long exercised the intellectual property rights to its original core technologies and services. The company's efforts have been recognized by numerous external organizations with invention awards and more. Some of the recent examples are introduced below.

Epson has won numerous awards for its inventions since the 1970s at events such as the Kanto Region Commendation for Invention and the National Commendation for Invention, sponsored by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation. Some of representative examples are noted below.

2022: Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Prize at the National Commendation for Invention

"Invention of a method to reduce printing unevenness during bidirectional printing with inkjet printer"

Epson won the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Prize at the National Commendation for Invention 2022 for “The Invention of a Method to Reduce Printing Unevenness during Bidirectional Printing with Inkjet Printer.” The invention relates to bidirectional printing by an inkjet printer in which a printhead is reciprocally scanned over a paper surface to form dots. In the invention, dots formed during forward scanning and dots formed during reverse scanning are distributed to avoid poor uniformity in distribution. Implementation of this invention makes it possible to print images of outstanding quality at high speeds because the dots are distributed evenly even if they are misaligned in reciprocal scanning. The invention enables inkjet printers for home, business, photography, and commercial and industrial use that produce amazing output at high speeds. It also helps to reduce environmental impact, improve productivity, and foster a culture of photography, art, and more.

News release (Japanese only):

2021: Prime Minister's Prize at the National Commendation for Invention

"Invention of high brightness, high image quality projector using monochromatic laser light source"

Epson won the Prime Minister's Prize at the National Commendation for Invention 2021 for “The Invention of high brightness, high image quality projector using monochromatic laser light source.” The invention focused on the fact that a desired color of light can be generated by irradiating a phosphor material with laser light. A phosphor wheel is irradiated by monochromatic laser light, and red, green, and blue light are then produced from the resultant fluorescent light (yellow = red + green) and the monochromatic laser light (blue) and used as projection light. The laser light source is set to be digitally dimmed by pulse width modulation with high frequency to prevent image flickering. The invention has promoted the use of laser projectors and expanded projector use into applications such as signage and spatial design in stores, facilities, and events. This invention has also helped to open up a new world of image expression called digital art, such as projection mapping and covering entire spaces with images.

The two inventors of this invention received the Science and Technology Award (Development Category) from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology in the field of science and technology for 2023.

News release

2018: Asahi Shimbun Prize at the National Commendation for Invention

"Invention of a dry-process office papermaking system"

Epson won the Asahi Shimbun Prize at the National Commendation for Invention 2019 for "The Invention of a dry-process office papermaking system." This "two-stage sieve" invention is one of the core technologies of the Dry Fiber Technology found in a dry process office papermaking system, which can make new paper from used paper on the spot. This invention enabled a dry process office papermaking system in which fibers obtained by defibrating used paper are separated and sifted using a first sieve with a fine mesh and then deposited in uniform sheet after passing through a second sieve to produce new sheets of paper.

News release (Japanese only):

Epson's IP activities have won recognition from other external organizations, as well. Below are examples.

2023: Intellectual Property Achievement Award from the commissioner of the Japan Patent Office

Epson received the Japan Patent Office Commissioner's Award in recognition of its IP activities in the area of design at the Intellectual Property Achievement Awards 2023. This marked the second time that Epson has received an Intellectual Property Achievement Award, the first being in 2008, when Epson was recognized with the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award as an enterprise that effectively uses the patent system. It is exceptionally rare for an enterprise to receive the Intellectual Property Achievement Award more than once. This award is a testament to Epson's commitment to carrying out its intellectual property strategy.

This award was given in recognition of Epson's strategic use of design registration for interior designs, which became eligible for protection under Japan's revised Design Act (2019). Epson used this system to gain protection for indoor layouts involving large-format printers. The Patent Office rewarded Epson for having advertised the fact that it registered these designs in product promotions. Epson showcases examples of these registered layout designs on its website and at exhibitions.

The points that were appreciated and recognized for the Intellectual Property Achievement Award are as follows:

1. The IP departments proactively carried out IP activities after integrating IP strategy with business strategy in close collaboration with management, the businesses, and development departments, with the goal of realizing the corporate vision of achieving sustainability and enriching communities based on the Corporate Purpose. For printers, the IP staff discussed the strategy with the responsible executive officer and participated in product design development, even considering customer use cases. They then moved to acquire the resulting intellectual property rights (including layout designs for customer product use scenarios).
2. The designs for the printers were developed to create new added value in customer use cases in which the printers are arrayed. With this in mind, Epson began building a portfolio of designs not only for the printers themselves but also for layouts (interior designs) in which they could conceivably be used by customers.
3. In sales promotions, Epson states that it was the first company to acquire design rights in the large format printer category for printer layout designs under the revised Design Act. Epson utilized design rights as a medium to capture customer interest and empathy and is trying to expand these activities to other equipment as well.

Intellectual Property Achievement Award:News release (Japanese only):

2023: Epson Selection to the Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovators

Epson was listed among the Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovators 2023 announced by global information services firm Clarivate Plc. This was the 10th time that Epson has been named to the list since its inception in 2012.

The Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovators

Clarivate compares and analyzes invention data from around the world, assesses the quality of patent ideas using indicators directly linked to innovativeness, and annually selects companies and organizations that are at the top of the global innovation ecosystem and continuously demonstrate outstanding innovation performance.

News release