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Nissan's £450 million investment to produce the third-generation Leaf at its Sunderland plant represents not only a manufacturing milestone but also a significant opportunity to strengthen and expand its intellectual property portfolio. Below, I briefly look at some of the areas where IP might be possible, as this could provide lessons that transfer to your own company developments.
The Nissan Plant has been integrated with advanced technologies such as big data analytics, virtual reality, and fully automated systems, creating multiple avenues for IP development, including patents, designs and trademarks.
Their "factory of the future" will utilize an array of new technologies, such as digital mapping, intelligent big data use, and automated guided vehicles. These all may offer scope for protection via patents, such as any process optimizations or robotic integrations. Of particular intrigue is the fully automated laser welding facility delivering precision to 0.3mm, producing a seamless roof. I also wonder whether there will be registered designs for the new appearances that this technology enables?
The new battery integrations using next-generation battery technologies from the AESC gigafactory also sound interesting, and perhaps introduce opportunities for joint IP ownership in energy storage innovations within the vehicle market.
As for Nissan's EV36Zero vision, combining EV manufacturing, battery production, and renewable energy, there will likely be trademark and patent opportunities here.
Further registered design opportunities may also arise from the new aerodynamic design of the vehicle, and potentially some of the components, and could the new vibrant color palette names be new trademarks?
With over 360,000 hours of training delivered, I am sure that the vehicles from this modernised plant will be excellent. Less known to the public, however, will be the vast amount of potential intellectual property that these investments generate, and securing these rights will be an important part of their investment for ensuring they protect those investments.
Does your company also appreciate the value of your intellectual property? By securing patents, registered designs and trademarks, and even ensuring you properly identify any copyrights you may be creating, you can create a strong and valuable portfolio that both protects your investment and offers new avenues for revenue, or tax efficiencies. If you have not considered these things, reach out to us as we can guide you through it all.
"Through this government's modern Industrial Strategy, we're delivering £4 billion into our world leading auto sector – the biggest investment into the car industry since the post-war era – driving growth, innovation and jobs across the country."
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