InterDigital and Lenovo settle dispute; UPC has first FRAND trial: Nokia and Avanci secure new licensees; EU SEP reg set for progress; plus much more
Welcome to the latest edition of the Sisvel Insights weekly round-up, aggregating news stories, analyses and data points affecting the SEP world that have caught our eye over the past seven days
After several years of sometimes bitter disagreement, last week saw InterDigital announce that Lenovo has agreed to take a licence to a portfolio of its patents, the royalty rate for which will be decided through binding arbitration. InterDigital has previously agreed to arbitration-determined FRAND-setting with Samsung and, like many major licensors, has been publicly supportive of this option to resolve disputes for several years. In the past, there has been a certain level of resistance to arbitration from implementers, especially from China. If that begins to change, it will be a highly significant development. Once again, the market is finding solutions. That is a good thing.
Elsewhere, the UPC’s first-ever FRAND trial took place, with Panasonic and Oppo making their cases before judges of the Mannheim Local Division; and Nokia and Avanci made announcements about new licensees. On the policy front, meanwhile, it seems as if the EU SEP regulation may start moving again after many months of delay.
Please note that inclusion of a piece in the list below does not signify agreement with what is stated in the linked article, just that we believe it is of interest and worth pointing out.
Legal
InterDigital and Lenovo agreed to settle all pending litigation and enter binding arbitration to determine the terms of a new licence agreement. InterDigital - Press Release
Panasonic and Oppo contested the first-ever FRAND trial held before the UPC. It’s unclear whether the FRAND issue will be reached in the final ruling. ip fray | LinkedIn post
Xiaomi accepted an interim licence from Panasonic on terms set out in a recent UK court ruling. ip fray | LinkedIn post
The US Supreme Court denied cert in all six patent cases it considered at its first October conference, leaving another seven petitions pending. Supreme Court denies Cert | Patently-O (patentlyo.com) 🔒
Market
Nokia struck a second patent licensing deal with a consumer-facing video streaming platform. The name of the licensee was not disclosed. Nokia signs second video streaming platform licence - IAM (iam-media.com) 🔒
Toyota became the latest licensee of Avanci’s 5G Vehicle programme. Avanci announces 5G Vehicle license agreement with Toyota | Business Wire
Policy
The European Commission expects the SEP regulation dossier to move forward in the Council in January 2025, according to a recent conference panel which featured a speaker from DG GROW. Prof.Dr. Peter Georg Picht | LinkedIn post
Analysis/Opinion
The recent interim licence decreed by a UK court provides clues on negotiation dynamics to date between Panasonic and Xiaomi. What will an "interim license" between Panasonic and Xiaomi look like? | LinkedIn
US district court patent cases increased 22% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2024, with the Eastern District of Texas continuing to have the busiest docket. US district court patent cases on the rise but popular judge's caseload plunges - IAM (iam-media.com)🔒
In an hourlong interview, Qualcomm general counsel Ann Chaplin discussed her role at the company, the importance of SEP licensing and the case for a strong patent system. Qualcomm's General Counsel Ann Chaplin on Patents Fueling Innovation (voiceofip.com)
Experts from Sisvel Tech work to raise IP awareness in European universities training the next generation of tech talent. Sisvel | Sisvel Tech brings patent value message to future R&D leaders
