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 4,700 patents in Japan and some 11,700 patents overseas as of March 2023.

Number of Patent Applications

In FY2023, 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 2024.

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

Source:
"New Movements in 5G-SEP, 5G Implementing Essential Patents and 5G Standardization Contributions" (May 17, 2024)
by Cyber Creative Institute Co., Ltd.

Smart Life and Enterprise Business (AI, XR, Web3, Mobile Spatial Statistics, etc.)

We have filed patent applications in areas related to service solutions using AI, XR, IoT, and big data. For FY2024, we have strengthened our IP activities by increasing the number of patent applications related to recommender systems, demand forecasting, and XR platforms.
According to the FY2024 survey, it was analyzed that the NTT Group, including DOCOMO, ranks third in Japan for the number of patent applications for AI-related inventions.

Source:"Based on data in "Recent Trends in AI-related Inventions" published by the Japan Patent Office

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)	Via LA
VP9	Sisvel
AV1	Sisvel
VVC/H.266(Versatile Video Coding)	Access Advance
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 1,600 trademarks in Japan and 1,000 trademarks overseas as of March 2023.

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.

NTT named an Asia IP Elite organization in 2023

In June 2023, NTT was selected as an "Asia IP Elite 2023" by Intellectual Asset Management (IAM, headquartered in London, UK), an internationally renowned IP media company. The award recognizes companies and organizations that have placed intellectual property at the center of their business strategy to introduce representative initiatives in IP creation in the Asia-Pacific region. A total of 88 companies and organizations were selected this year (23 companies are from Japan).

In addition to the fact that NTT's holding companies are promoting patent applications for many optical-related technologies, NTT's licensing activities for 5G essential patents, which DOCOMO is promoting, were evaluated as important factors for NTT's selection. DOCOMO was selected as an Asia IP Elite for 2022 as well.
DOCOMO will continue to cultivate its technical capabilities in R&D, engage in research and development, and promote IP activities that contribute to its business to open up the way for the future of mobile communications as we envision it.

award plaque

Reference: The award ceremony for the Asia IP Elite in 2022 (DOCOMO was selected)

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.