Intellectual Property

Numbers Held

DOCOMO has been promoting research and development of network advancement technologies such as W-CDMA, LTE, LTE-Advanced, 5G, 6G, and O-RAN, as well as new service-related technologies such as AI, XR, and IoT, in order to realize a more advanced and pleasant mobile communication environment, and has promoted patent applications.As a result, DOCOMO is having some 5,100 patents in Japan and some 13,400 patents overseas as of March 2026.

Number of Patent Applications

In FY2025, we continued to file applications for 5G, and also vigorously filed applications for 6G and O-RAN.

Application Fields

Consumer Telecommunication Businesses (5G, 6G, O-RAN, etc.)

5G aims to achieve a high capacity network which is able to support increase in traffic with low cost and reduced power consumption.
DOCOMO is conducting research and development to enable a wide range of capabilities such as super high data rate communications of over 10 Gbps, lower latency, and simultaneous connection of a large number of terminals in order to support the future spread of IoT and IoE, and continuing relevant intellectual property activities.

We are also continuing to file patent applications for 6G, which aims for further enhancement of 5G features such as ultra-high speed/high capacity, ultra-low latency, and ultra-multiple simultaneous connections, as well as for O-RAN, which will make wireless access networks more scalable and open.

Data of 5G standard-essential patents owned by DOCOMO

DOCOMO participates in the standardization of wireless technologies, such as 5G and LTE, as well as various related technologies, and has also submitted many technical proposals that have been incorporated into standards.
DOCOMO came to be ranked third in the world and first among carriers in terms of shares of 5G standard-essential patents*1 owned, according to a survey conducted in FY 2025.

1. Standard-essential patent: A patent which is unavoidably infringed when manufacturing a standard-compliant product without a license from the patent owner.

Source:
5G-SEP related analysis results (8th edition)(June 9, 2026)
by Cyber Creative Institute Co., Ltd.

Comparison of SDGs-related patents held by the Docomo Group and its competitors *1, *2

The Docomo Group's consumer telecommunications patent portfolio contains numerous technologies that contribute to the SDGs, and we are building this portfolio with a conscious focus on contributing to each development goal.
In particular, for Goal 7 (Energy) and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), our group holds a vast number of patents related to advanced technologies such as 5G/6G and IoT, thereby contributing to the strengthening of the technological foundation for the realization of a sustainable society.

1. Based on data (as of May 2026) from PatentSight®, a patent analytics tool provided by LexisNexis.
2. Patents classified under telecommunications technology (International Patent Classification: H04) were aggregated and compared by corporate group.
3. An index indicating the competitive advantage and total value of a patent portfolio (calculated based on quantitative and qualitative indicators).

Smart Life and Corporate Business (AI, IoT, Mobile Spatial Statistics, Big Data, XR, etc.)

We have filed patents related to service solutions that leverage AI, IoT, big data, and XR.

Licenses

Patent Pools

The following essential patents are also available for licensing through patent pools.*2To request a license from patent pools, please contact each license management company.

1. Patent Pool: A mechanism whereby a plurality of patent holders collectively license standard-essential patents.

Patent Pool	Licensing Administrator
AVC/H.264 (Advanced Video Coding)	Via LA
HEVC/H.265 (High Efficiency Video Coding)	Access Advance
VVC/H.266(Versatile Video Coding)	Access Advance
VP9	Sisvel
AV1	Sisvel
AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)	Via LA
MPEG-H 3D Audio	Via LA
Avanci (Vehicle 4G)	Avanci
Sisvel (Cellular IoT)	Sisvel

Numbers Held

DOCOMO has been applying for and maintaining trademarks in order to protect its product brands and service brands.DOCOMO has approximately 1,570 trademarks in Japan and 870 trademarks overseas as of March 2026.

Use of the Corporate Brand Logo and Business Brand Logo

The DOCOMO corporate brand logo and business brand logo may not be used without DOCOMO's permission. However, the logos may be used when introducing DOCOMO's products or services, or when indicating a relationship with DOCOMO.
Please refer to Philosophy and Vision for the terms of use.

Received the Prime Minister's Certificate of Appreciation

DOCOMO received the Prime Minister's Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of outstanding efforts and achievements in the promotion and advancement of the Industrial Property Rights System. The Prime Minister's Certificate of Appreciation was specially presented to select individuals and companies in commemoration of the 140th anniversary of the Industrial Property Rights System, and DOCOMO was one of the first corporate recipients.
With the goal of "creating value for tomorrow's norms with technology and human power," DOCOMO continues to drive innovation together with its global partners, including the award-winning initiative of the integrated utilization of standardization and intellectual property.
We will continue these efforts and take on various challenges to create tomorrow's norms and enrich society, including the standardization of next-generation 6G mobile communication technologies (hereinafter "6G").

NTT named an Asia IP Elite organization in 2025

In July 2025, the NTT Group (including Docomo) was selected for the "Asia IP Elite 2025" by the international intellectual property media company IAM (headquartered in London, UK). This recognition honors companies and organizations that place intellectual property at the core of their business strategies within the Asia-Pacific region. A total of 101 enterprises and organizations were selected this time, with 25 of them based in Japan.
The NTT Group's selection reflects the high evaluation of its flexible approach to advancing IP strategy amid a changing social environment. This marks the third consecutive year the NTT Group has been selected, following its recognition in fiscal years 2023 and 2024, while Docomo was also selected independently for the Asia IP Elite in fiscal year 2022.

Award plaque

The award ceremony for the Asia IP Elite in 2025

Received the Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovator 2026

In January 2026, the NTT Group, including NTT and Docomo, was named to the "Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovators 2026" list, hosted by Clarivate (headquartered in London, UK).

The Clarivate Top 100 Global Innovators list is compiled annually by comparing and analyzing inventions from around the world using proprietary patent-related data held by Clarivate to identify the top 100 most innovative companies globally.

Receiving this award signifies that the inventions and achievements generated through the R&D efforts of the NTT Group are recognized on a global scale.

This marks the second consecutive year (and the 12th time in total) that we have received this honor. We will continue to conduct daily research and development, advance the pursuit of intellectual property rights for our inventions, and share innovation with the world.

Reference:
https://clarivate.com/ja/news/clarivate-reveals-top-100-global-innovators-2026/ (in Japanese only)

Awarded the National Commendation for Invention*3

At the 2024 National Commendation for Invention Ceremony, DOCOMO received the Invention Award for "High-Precision, Real-Time Population Estimation Using Base Station Information from Mobile Devices" (hereinafter referred to as "the Technology").
The Technology is a fundamental invention related to estimating the number of mobile devices present in a given area. It serves as the core of a population estimation method that projects changes in population distribution across Japan based on operational data from mobile phone networks. The Technology has been widely utilized in measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and has also led to the practical implementation of services capable of predicting traffic congestion several hours in advance with a high degree of accuracy. Through the Technology, we continue to contribute to solving and optimizing social and industrial challenges across various sectors.

DOCOMO received the Prime Minister's Award for inventing the "Synchronization Signal Block Configuration Method for Efficient Communication Startup in 5G" (hereinafter referred to as "the Technology") at the 2023 National Commendation for Invention, and Motoyuki Ii, President and Representative Director of DOCOMO, received the Invention Achievement Award on behalf of DOCOMO for the development and achievements in the field of the Technology.
The Technology is a fundamental technology related to the 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), and is used in all 5G-compatible devices around the world. The Technology has enabled 5G communication services around the world, and contributed to the development of the communication infrastructure that supports the spread of smartphones and tablets. In addition, as 5G is expected to be used in all industries in the future, the Technology will be used as a foundation to support industries worldwide.
DOCOMO has received awards at the National Commendation for Invention for its 1st generation (analog) through 4th generation (LTE) mobile communication systems in a row, making this the 5th consecutive generation to receive the award. DOCOMO will continue to promote the R&D and standardization of mobile communication technologies, such as 5G Evolution and 6G, and contribute to the creation of new fundamental technologies to realize the next-generation communication infrastructure that will support future industry and society.

DOCOMO received 2023 National Commendation for Invention

Scene for the National Commendation for Invention 2023

<List of National Commendation for Invention awards received by DOCOMO>

1. A contest for Japan's best inventions sponsored by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation
2. Joint patent with NTT

Awarded at the Regional Commendation for Invention

DOCOMO received the Invention Encouragement Award at the 2023 Regional Commendation for Invention for its Emergency Mail Priority Control to Ensure First Response.

The award-winning invention is a basic function of the Area Mail^® emergency alert system that controls which information is prioritized for distribution when emergency alerts are sent out.This allows urgent information to be distributed quickly to users who are close to the disaster site.

In Japan, where natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons are common, this invention contributes to an infrastructure that reliably provides emergency evacuation information to customers and supports their safety and security.
This invention is not limited to Area Mail but has been adopted as an essential technology by 3GPP, an international standardization organization for mobile communications systems, and is being used in approximately 20 countries around the world.