I first came across the sintered NdFeB patents while working in R&D at a European magnet manufacturer. A customer called us in the middle of the project development in year 2012, and told us they are shutting down the project, as they were being sued by Hitachi due to Patent Infringement. They had no choice but to settle with Hitachi.

After moving to a major automotive supplier in 2017, in the new role as a global lead buyer for magnets and a magnet expert advisor in R&D, I came to realize the scale of sintered NdFeB magnets patent limitations.

Technological progress and Innovation require benchmarking grades and technologies. At the same time, the market drives the need for cost optimization and a wide supplier base for a competitive environment.

Yet, the market reality of sintered NdFeB magnets is much different. There are but four high-tech magnet makers (JP), who hold most of the patents, which cover the whole manufacturing process. The eight CN licensees are not able to sell or manufacture any novel grades or technologies under license. And the vast number of non-licensed manufacturer’s products legal status is unknown.

Procurement risks of non-licensed magnets involved enormous costs, supply & line-stop risks – which can lead to loss of customers. The only feasible solution was a complete patent analysis & audit of a magnet manufacturer, together with a patent attorney expert.

And that’s the point, where I came across Shuichiro Kuroiwa-san, a Japanese patent attorney. The combination of patent legal expertise and technical understanding of the material, manufacturing process and measurement techniques, turned out to be a perfect combination for the elimitation of Infringement risks.

We eliminated the risks by conducting a patent analysis & audit, through legal and technical perspective.