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Prysmian Group – 2015 Sustainability Report
Sustainable Innovation
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Intellectual property rights
Protecting the portfolio of patents and trademarks is a key part of the Group's business, particularly in
relation to our strategy of growth in high-tech market segments. In particular, the intensive R&D activity
carried out in the Energy Projects and Energy Products segments, as well as in the Telecom segment, has
resulted in further growth in the number of patents held by the Group, especially in the high-tech and high
value-added segments. These justify the major investment made in these areas by the Group in recent
years, and protect the current and future activities of these businesses.
As of 31 December 2015, the Prysmian Group holds 4,785 patents and patent applications throughout the
world, covering 771 inventions (of which 228 in the Energy Projects and Energy Products segments and 543
in the Telecom sector). A total of 45 patent applications were filed during 2015, of which 20 in the Telecom
sector and 9 in the Energy sector. Following examination, 164 patents were granted during the year, 17 by
the European Patent Office (EPO) and 34 in the United States.
The most important products, typically involving specific characteristics or a specific production process, are
protected by trademarks that allow them to be identified and guarantee their uniqueness. As of 31 December
2015, the Prysmian Group owns 589 trademarks, with 2,762 registrations in the various countries in which
we operate, covering the names and logos of our companies, activities, products and product lines.
The latest edition of the important “Prize for Inventions” event, referring to patents awarded in 2013, was
held at the Group's R&D centre in Milan in July 2015. A total of 30 patents were awarded prizes. This event
celebrated the intensive work of the Prysmian's R&D professionals, who have guaranteed a constant flow of
new patents to the Group's portfolio, especially in the high-tech and value-added segments.
Prysmian also awarded 30 prizes to our inventors in June 2015, marking the best patents granted and patent
applications filed during 2014, comprising 5 in the Energy area and 25 in the Telecom area.