Furukawa Electric to Start IP Activities at Overseas

Furukawa Electric announced on Monday the firm starts overseas activities for protection and exploitation of intellectual properties (IP). The firm set IP division branches in US subsidiary, Furukawa Electric North America, and a representative office in Beijing, China to strengthen IP right management in world strategic markets including USA, China, Asian regions and Europe. Furukawa Electric targets to increase its offshore sales ratio to 35% in fiscal 2009 ending March 2010 along the 3-year management plan. The firm believes better IP activities contribute to smooth growth of the offshore sales. FENA and Beijing office start IP activities in cooperation with IP division of the parent company. They will help Furukawa group’s offshore subsidiaries and affiliates by dealing with counterfeit products and violations of registered trademarks, supporting application and acquisition for patents, and saving Furukawa Electric’s brand. FENA and Beijing office will also direct group companies to save secret information and technology from outflow. There are 5 staffs in FENA’s IP division and 2 staffs in Beijing.