INFORMATION
Kao Corporation Grants The Procter & Gamble Company a License under Foam Type Hair Color (Hair Dyes) Patent Portfolio

Kao Corporation (President and Chief Executive Officer: Michitaka Sawada; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan) announced a license agreement of several foam type hair color (hair dyes) patents in its patent portfolio with The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G; Headquarters: USA, Ohio, Cincinnati).

With the goal of an amicable resolution in mind, Kao and P&G have been discussing for the past three years the relationship of Kao's patent rights (US 8,153,108 and its related foreign patents) in relation to P&G's Foam Type Hair Color Product "Nice'n Easy" which is sold in the U.S. and Europe. As a result, Kao agreed to grant P&G a royalty-bearing license.

The license scope covers past activities as well as the future and will be applicable to P&G's hair color business in the case such business is transferred. Based on this license arrangement, P&G has agreed to withdraw its oppositions to Kao's related EP patents. Details regarding the agreement are deemed confidential.

Kao values its intellectual properties including patents as its core critical management assets and continues to strive to effectively utilize its assets.