On February 26th and 27th, 2026, our firm's partner patent attorney, Naoki Fuma, conducted an intensive seminar entitled "Intellectual Property and Standardization Strategies to Accelerate Research and Development of Nuclear Fusion Prototype Reactors" at a seminar hosted by the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology.
In the face of intensifying global market competition, the role of intellectual property extends beyond simply "acquiring rights." It is now required to go so far as to "rule-making" centered on one's own technology, thereby establishing a competitive advantage in the business.
The seminar theme is "Intellectual Property x Standardization Strategies" for achieving market dominance.
On the first day, in the introductory session on intellectual property, we reviewed the basics of intellectual property and then shared practical insights that support the execution of strategies, such as contract design to facilitate industry-academia-government collaboration.
On the second day, the implementation session, we proposed an open and closed strategy to leverage strengths and seize market leadership, along with a path to international standards. We suggested increasing participation through standardization (open) for aspects that should be used across the entire industry, while protecting core technologies that are the source of differentiation with patents (closed). Designing both aspects together creates a winning strategy. Furthermore, we introduced specific methods for strategically creating SEPs (Standard Essential Patents).
Our firm provides comprehensive support, from filing patent applications to building intellectual property portfolios linked to business strategies and even rule-making with an eye towards international standardization. If you are struggling to develop an intellectual property strategy involving management and business units, please feel free to contact us.
Person in charge: SEP/Standardization Operations Support Office (https://sep.ip-kenzo.com/）
Seminar Outline
Day 1: Intellectual Property and Standardization Strategies to Accelerate Research and Development of Prototype Fusion Reactors - An Introduction to Intellectual Property - Protecting and Connecting the Results of Fusion R&D
Day 2: Intellectual Property and Standardization Strategies to Accelerate Research and Development of Prototype Fusion Reactors – Implementation of Intellectual Property Strategies to Create a Global Market Based on Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration and International Standardization – A Vision for Global Hegemony
Organized by: National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Rokkasho Fusion Energy Laboratory
