Panasonic: IP teams need to evolve for AI-centric future
Managing IP is part of the Delinian Group, Delinian Limited, 4 Bouverie Street, London, EC4Y 8AX, Registered in England & Wales, Company number 00954730
Copyright © Delinian Limited and its affiliated companies 2024

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Panasonic: IP teams need to evolve for AI-centric future

x

Kazuhiko Ishimaru, general manager of licensing at the multinational electronics company, shares insights on IP strategies in an age of AI, IoT and big data



new

Emerging technologies in the artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT) and big data fields remain a challenge for IP protection. Globally, there is divergence on how standard essential patents (SEPs) should be managed. Another challenge is figuring out how best to balance the interests of platform providers, manufacturers and service suppliers for these emerging technologies. An added layer of complexity comes from the evolving skill sets that IP professionals need to adopt in the future, explains Ishimaru, who is based in Japan.

Ishimaru says that there are two main challenges he sees for the IP protection of emerging technologies. The first is the creation of rules for the use of SEPs, especially in the field of IoT, where the role of cellular technology is considered to be extremely important. While the number of SEP cases is growing around the world, Ishimaru says that more experience needs to be accumulated, especially in FRAND calculation methods.

The second challenge arises from differences in IP strategies among three different groups of stakeholders: platform providers, material and device manufacturers, and service and content suppliers. “Platform providers want to expand the number of device manufacturers and servicers that participate in the platforms they offer,” says Ishimaru. “Therefore, these providers cannot avoid the conflict with material and device makers who want to protect their own proprietary technologies with patents.”

He adds that service providers and content suppliers have to grapple with patent protection issues, as patents have mostly been related to materials and devices. However, as service and content suppliers become integral to the industry, software patents and business model patents are expected to rise rapidly.

In terms of the emerging legal issues that IP teams will need to think about more, protecting personal information and ethics are at the top of the agenda.

“While the collection of big data is expanding, there is concern that personal information will be leaked without restriction,” says Ishimaru. The move towards data protection has been evident around the world, especially with the General Data Protection Regulation in Europe.

Specifically for AI, it will be necessary to create new regulations around AI social ethics. “Just as in areas such as DNA manipulation, AI will need new ethical regulations to properly lead to social development,” says Ishimaru.

The skill sets of IP professionals will undoubtedly change in the future to adapt to changing needs and regulations. Until now, IP teams have mainly worked on rights related to patents and trademarks, and have made efforts to improve rights acquisition and licensing expertise, says Ishimaru. However, as the effects of AI, big data, and IoT increase, expertise is sought not only in the acquisition and licensing of rights, but also in terms of contracts, big data ownership and copyright.

The people who have knowledge and experience in related fields and who then promote the business strategically will be best-placed in the era of AI, big data and IoT. “In such an era, I think that there will no longer be IP departments as they may well be absorbed by the business strategy departments,” Ishimaru predicts.

Kazuhiko Ishimaru will be speaking at the Licensing Executives Society International 2019 Annual Conference, which takes place from May 26 to 28 in Yokohama, Japan. For more information about the event, visit: http://www.lesi.yokohama/



more from across site and ros bottom lb

More from across our site

A 36-member team from Zhong Lun Law Firm, including six partners, will join the newly formed East IP Group
The Delhi High Court sided with Ericsson against Indian smartphone maker Lava, bringing the companies' nine-year dispute to a close
We provide a rundown of Managing IP’s news and analysis from the week, and review what’s been happening elsewhere in IP
Tennessee has passed the ELVIS Act, a law that fights against AI models that mimic the voice and likeness of music artists
Rob Stien, chief communications and public policy officer at InterDigital, says the EU has forgotten innovators while trying to solve an issue that doesn’t exist
As Australia’s Qantm IP leans towards being acquired by a private equity company, sources discuss what it could mean for IP firms
Law firms that are conscious of their role in society are more likely to win work, according to a survey of over 23,000 in-house professionals
Nghiem Xuan Bac Pham, managing partner of Vision & Associates, discusses opportunities created by the US-China rift as well as profitability issues facing IP practices
Douglas Leite and two of his colleagues were intrigued by Bhering Advogados’s mission to grow its patent litigation practice
Each week Managing IP speaks to a different IP practitioner about their life and career
Gift this article