About TDK | Intellectual PropertyThe Role of Intellectual Property in Supporting TDK’s Global Strategy
Responsible for establishing the intellectual property function at the Regional Headquarter in the Americas. With a business-oriented strategic perspective, he aims to protect the intellectual property of various businesses in the Americas region.
The driving force behind TDK’s growth lies in our diverse Group companies spread around the world. Each company fully understands local customer needs, and the various intellectual property that they create fulfills an important role in supporting TDK’s future business. In this article we ask John Yang, the lead IP counsel at TDK U.S.A. Corporation (TUC), which oversees intellectual property strategy in the Americas, about the role of TUC and outlook for intellectual property strategy.
Frontline of software and systems development in the TDK Group
TUC has multiple sites in the U.S.. I work at our office in San Jose in California. San Jose is a city where the world’s most advanced technology companies are gathered. For a software developer, it is an ideal place to work, because here you can listen to the opinions of companies that are TDK’s customers while doing your job.
TDK has been building partnerships and conducting M&A in this region for a long time. In spring 2024 we newly established the Americas R&D Center specializing in software and systems development. This center aims to catch the technologies expected by our customers and issues as quickly as possible and to create solutions in tune with the needs of the times.
Regional HQ serves as the hub of collaboration among Group companies
As the regional headquarters for the Americas, TUC provides legal, intellectual property, and other governance functions and plays the role of supporting collaboration among Group companies.
The functions that we provide are wide-ranging, and a flexible response is required to respond to the needs of each company, such as supply of strategic viewpoints, the introduction of work processes, and training. Therefore, rather than a one-size-fits-all assistance package, we emphasize open communication with each company.
It is especially important to build effective communication channels between the IP-related functions in each Group company and TUC. Through such, one might say, modest efforts, we can get a deeper understanding of the business of each company and understand their needs. TUC is the hub bringing together the various resources of Group companies and meeting business needs.
Synergy of unique technologies spawns new challenges
The companies in the TDK Group possess their own original materials technologies, process technologies, and so on. Their combination with software technology gives birth to a new synergy, which spawns new business domains previously nonexistent in the TDK Group. Naturally, we will not be able to adequately protect future businesses only with patents relating to our existing materials technologies and process technologies. For this reason, we are always searching for new intellectual property strategies.
In the field of systems and software in particular, a perspective viewing technology, innovation, and business functions comprehensively is essential. To leverage intellectual property and create a competitive business environment, it is necessary to have a deep understanding, with imaginative and original thinking, of the business model and business strategy.
Fortunately, TUC benefits from the expertise of TDK Corporate Officer Jim Tran, who is well-versed in the software and systems business. Thanks to his expert guidance, stemming from his abundant experience in the wireless communications industry, we are able to accurately identify business needs and future directions. The environment has been set for the IP team that I lead to develop a robust intellectual property strategy.
TDK United: Transcendent collaboration to build the future
It is an undisputable fact that communication and mutual understanding transcending the barriers of country and company give birth to TDK’s value and enhance our competitiveness. Under the slogan of TDK United, designed to strengthen collaboration among Group companies, we will continue to deliver transformational systems and solutions to society.
