Canon

Tokyo, Japan: Kazuo Minoura, an engineer employed by Canon received 33.5 million yen (US $275,000) for profits his work earned Canon. A ruling in Tokyo District Court by presiding judge Ryuichi Shitara finally ended the lawsuit filed in 2003 by Minoura who demanded 1 billion yen (US $8.2 million) in compensation for his role in developing the technology, which enables laser printers to produce high-quality images. The lawsuit said the technology earned Canon hundreds of millions of dollars. Minoura, 61, who worked at Tokyo-based Canon from 1968 to 2002, claimed that he was paid just 850,000 yen (US $7,000) for his invention, which was grossly disproportionate to earnings made. The lawsuit highlights the growing conflict over intellectual property between workers and companies in Japan, where a culture of corporate loyalty tends to unfairly underpay its employees. (Jan-29-07) [POST GAZETTE: CANON EMPLOYEE SETTLEMENT]

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