高科技產業專利策略與專利布局-以薄膜電晶體液晶顯示器面板廠商為例

Abstract

在競爭激烈的高科技產業中，專利是企業維持競爭優勢不可或缺的一環。2003年台灣在美國獲得的專利數量已擠身前四強，值得深究的是，台灣高科技廠商仍持續付出鉅額的權利金予國外廠商，使得獲利空間大幅壓縮。因此，台灣高科技廠商如何提升專利布局強度、建構自身專利布局，是一項非常重要的課題。 本研究提出一專利布局分析之流程，將TFT-LCD面板廠商作為實證分析研究對象，選取液晶電視面板此一產品別進行各廠商之專利布局分析，並利用美國專利分類號就液晶電視面板相關技術分類，採用CHI Research 之專利件數指標、現行衝擊指數以及技術強度指標作為衡量專利布局強度的指標。 研究結果發現，Fujitsu之專利布局優勢主要集中在於廣視角技術中的MVA領域，而Hitachi之專利布局技術強度在IPS、電路設計以及背光模組均居各廠商之冠。韓國LG. Philips LCD及Samsung在液晶電視面板相關技術之專利布局在廣度及深度都最為完整，大陸京東方現代的專利布局在TFT製程上有較大的缺口。而台灣廠商之專利布局大多顯示必須在各技術領域採取防守型專利策略，華映在液晶電視面板的專利布局明顯不足，奇美電子也僅有零星專利產出。友達光電之專利布局雖然在電路設計技術領域上處於相對弱勢，但是TFT製程技術強度為最高。

In the fiercely competing high-tech industry, patent has become a strategic weapon for companies to sustain their competitive advantages. Taiwan has the 4th largest number of U.S. patents in 2003. What is intriguing is that Taiwanese high-tech companies are still paying great royalties to foreign companies, shrinking their profits. How to enhance their patent portfolio strength and to develop their patent portfolio have become critical issues for Taiwanese high-tech companies. This study suggests a process for analyzing patent portfolios in LCD TV panel for TFT-LCD panel manufacturers. The study used United States Patent Classification to categorize the technology fields, and patent indicators suggested by the CHI Research to evaluate patent portfolio strength. The empirical study showed that Fujitsu has focused on MVA, and Hitachi has the greatest technology strength in IPS, circuit design and backlight module. LG. Philips LCD and Samsung have the strongest patent portfolios in LCD TV panel. Taiwanese companies are having “loopholes” in their patent portfolios, except the great technology strength of AU Optronics in TFT process.