Nissan Taps Clarivate to Safeguard its High-Tech Automotive Future

LONDON, UK – December 18, 2025 – In a strategic move that underscores the escalating importance of intellectual property in the automotive sector, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has selected IPfolio, a sophisticated IP management software from the intelligence provider Clarivate Plc. The partnership, announced today, will see Nissan overhaul its intellectual property operations to better protect its multibillion-dollar investments in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and next-generation mobility.

Nissan will implement IPfolio to create a scalable, data-driven system for managing its vast portfolio of patents, trademarks, and other IP assets. This move is designed to replace outdated processes with advanced workflow automation, enhanced data visibility, and deep integration with global IP databases, enabling the automaker to navigate the industry's complex technological landscape with greater strategic foresight.

A Data-Driven Overhaul for a New Era of Innovation

For Nissan, this decision is a direct response to the demands of its ambitious long-term vision, "Nissan Ambition 2030." The strategy calls for a massive pivot towards electrification and autonomy, with plans to launch 27 new electrified models, including 19 all-new EVs, by 2030. The company is also investing heavily in groundbreaking technologies like all-solid-state batteries, targeted for production by 2028, and its next-generation ProPILOT autonomous driving systems.

Protecting these innovations—which span everything from battery chemistry and power management algorithms to complex sensor fusion and AI-driven control systems—requires a far more sophisticated approach than simply filing patents. The adoption of IPfolio represents a fundamental shift in Nissan's IP strategy, moving it from a reactive, administrative function to a proactive, strategic pillar of the business.

The software, built on the secure and highly customizable Salesforce platform, will provide Nissan's IP team with a centralized hub for all its intellectual assets. Its key strength lies in its ability to automate thousands of manual tasks and integrate seamlessly with Clarivate’s world-leading data sources, such as Derwent for patent intelligence and Darts-ip for litigation data. This allows for real-time data enrichment and analytics, giving Nissan's strategists a clear view of their IP landscape, competitive positioning, and potential risks.

"To address the increasing importance of intellectual property in the automotive industry, Nissan has selected IPfolio from Clarivate to help modernize and streamline its IP operations," said David Curren, Deputy General Manager of Nissan's Intellectual Property Department. "The implementation will enable the Nissan IP team to manage its portfolio with greater control, efficiency, and strategic foresight. We are confident that IPfolio will be a key enabler in our mission to protect our intellectual property and strengthen our competitive position."

The Auto Industry's High-Stakes IP Arms Race

Nissan's move is emblematic of a much broader trend sweeping across the entire automotive industry. As vehicles transform into software-defined, connected computers on wheels, the nature of innovation—and the intellectual property that protects it—has fundamentally changed. The modern car contains over 100 million lines of code, a figure expected to grow exponentially, turning automakers into major software developers.

This shift has ignited a fierce, global IP arms race centered on "CASE" technologies: Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electric. Competitive advantage is no longer just about engine performance or chassis design; it's about the proprietary algorithms that optimize battery life, the machine learning models that guide autonomous vehicles, and the secure protocols that connect cars to the cloud. With an active global portfolio of nearly 80,000 patents, a significant portion of which are in these emerging high-tech fields, Nissan is squarely in the middle of this race.

Furthermore, this new landscape has brought new threats. The risk of patent litigation has soared as technology companies and non-practicing entities (NPEs) look to monetize their patents, particularly Standard-Essential Patents (SEPs) related to 4G and 5G connectivity. High-profile legal battles outside of Nissan have served as a stark warning to the industry, demonstrating that a reactive IP defense is no longer sufficient. Automakers must now proactively manage their portfolios not just to protect their own R&D, but also to build a defensive arsenal against potential litigation and secure their freedom to operate.

As a result, major players across the industry are making similar investments, recognizing that advanced IP management systems are no longer a back-office luxury but a front-line strategic necessity for survival and leadership.

A Landmark Win for Clarivate's Enterprise Strategy

For Clarivate, securing a client of Nissan's stature is a significant validation of its technology and market strategy. In the highly competitive IP management software market, which includes formidable players like Anaqua and Questel, this deal reinforces IPfolio's position as a premier enterprise-grade solution. It demonstrates the platform's ability to meet the complex demands of a global manufacturing giant navigating a profound technological disruption.

The partnership also aligns perfectly with Clarivate's broader corporate direction. The company has been focusing on growing its subscription-based revenue and embedding its data and analytics into the daily workflows of its clients. A large-scale, multi-year implementation with a company like Nissan is a textbook example of this strategy in action, promising a stable, recurring revenue stream and deeper client integration.

Maroun S. Mourad, President of Intellectual Property at Clarivate, commented on the partnership's significance. "We are very pleased to support Nissan in transforming the way they manage and protect IP," he stated. "Blending advanced technologies with decades of IP expertise, our trusted solutions will empower them to elevate IP management, accelerate innovation and mitigate business risk."

Ultimately, the collaboration between Nissan and Clarivate is more than a simple software sale. It is a powerful indicator of the auto industry's future, where the ability to strategically create, manage, and defend intellectual property using data-driven intelligence will be as critical to success as the ability to manufacture a car.