SKS introduced the Taiwan Intellectual Property Management System (TIPS) in 2009 and has obtained TIPS certification as a qualified vendor. Subsequently in 2010, we established an internal Intellectual Property Rights Review Group and established an intellectual property management system. The scope of management encompasses patent rights, trademark rights, copyright, business secrets, and other major intellectual property. In the initial implementation phase, the Company participated in the TIPS verification and obtained qualification as a TIPS vendor; and the Company has participated in activities related to the Science & Technology Law Institute multiple times to share our experiences. The TIPS system was first adopted more than 15 years ago, and we continue to deepen employees’ understanding of intellectual property protections and management.
Since 2014, SKS has included intellectual property management within the Company’s internal control system, where it serves as part of the operational risk management mechanism. Although we have not subsequently reapplied for TIPS certification, we continue to follow the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) management cycle by doing annual internal intellectual property management audits and self-assessments, and by reporting the results of said audits and assessments to the Board of Directors.
Through annual intellectual property trainings and departmental interviews, we also strengthen all departments’ understanding of the intellectual property management system. We hold periodic internal self-assessments to confirm the effectiveness of each responsible departments’ system implementation. The internal audit self-assessments held in 2025 focused on reviewing the intellectual property management system operating status for 2024. Eight departments underwent assessment, with 69 audit criteria. Out of this work, six improvement suggestions were proposed; 12 defects were discovered; and the status of improvements continued to be tracked. The major defects were primarily that adjustments were made to some processes without taking account of current operating conditions. Related matters will continue to be tracked and inspected in the 2026 TIPS internal audit self-assessments, and related document management and control process robustness will be reinforced at the same time.