Huawei’s $550m licensing biz; Xiaomi EC complaint targets Panasonic; Pool-linked litigation in focus; US patent bills delayed; 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
In an interview published last week, Huawei IP head Alan Fan indicated the company is now deriving revenues in excess of $550 million from its patent licensing operation. "We generate a good profit, but it's less than some of the other companies, like Nokia," he told Fierce Network. "We also take a less aggressive stance on pricing than they do." Huawei has come a long way very quickly. It is almost certainly set to go a whole lot further.
Elsewhere, ip fray revealed that Xiaomi had filed an antitrust complaint at the European Commission alleging abusive behaviour by Panasonic relating the pair’s multi-jurisdictional patent dispute; while IAM reported on what it claims is an upsurge in litigation involving patents that are available for license via pools. There was also news that several bills proposing reform of the US patent system have been put in hold in Congress because of the forthcoming presidential election.
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
Xiaomi reportedly filed an EU antitrust complaint against Panasonic over the latter’s pursuit of SEP injunctive relief in Germany and at the UPC. Xiaomi complains to EU over Panasonic’s standard-essential patent tactics: moment of truth for UPC, German courts – ip fray
A court in Munich ruled that Oppo has infringed a Panasonic cellular SEP, ordering the Chinese company to cease and desist. Panasonic's opening win against Oppo in Munich (juve-patent.com)
Dolby asserted AVC patents against BLU Products Inc in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Dolby sues BLU alleging AVC patent infringement - IAM (iam-media.com) 🔒
Germany’s Federal Patent Court revoked an InterDigital patent in its dispute with Oppo. A FRAND trial between the same two companies was heard in London. Federal Patent Court revokes InterDigital patent in dispute with Oppo (juve-patent.com)
Market
Huawei IP chief Alan Fan said that Huawei generates “a healthy profit” from patent licensing, indicating that revenues could now exceed $550 million. From sanctions to success: Huawei’s secret weapon – IP licensing (fierce-network.com)
Nokia announced a licensing agreement with PAX, its first deal with a Chinese payment terminal manufacturer. Patrik Hammaren | LinkedIn post
Asus joined both the HEVC Advance and VVC Advance pools as a licensee, ending litigation with several Access Advance licensors. Acer also took a licence to the HEVC Advance pool. Access Advance Welcomes Major PC OEMs to its HEVC and VVC Patent Pools | Business Wire
Policy
Congressional hearings in the US to mark-up bills covering patent eligibility, validity challenges and drug patents were postponed as the Senate adjourned in advance of the elections taking place on 5th November. Senate Patent Bill Markups Delayed Until After Election - Law360 🔒
Analysis/Opinion
There has been a recent increase in litigations filed by patent holders that make their assets available to license via pools. Surge of recent lawsuits filed by SEP licensors connected to patent pools - IAM (iam-media.com) 🔒
A new leadership team at the European Commission and the Draghi Report provide an opportunity to rethink the proposed EU SEP licensing regulation. Sisvel | The time is ripe to re-think the EU SEP regulation
The proposed EU SEP licensing regulation fails to address the most pressing challenges facing both large organisations and SMEs. It should be abandoned. To boost the EU’s global competitiveness, we must change course on industrial and innovation policy (theparliamentmagazine.eu)
Patent pools could be a vital tool in helping the EU overcome its difficulties with technology diffusion, but current European competition law is an obstacle to that happening. Maryam Pourrahim | LinkedIn post
Communication networks are set to be revolutionised by 6G. Standardisation will be critical in ensuring that the technology is globally interoperable, secure and inclusive. The standardization of 6G | LinkedIn
In Brumfield v. IBG LLC the Federal Circuit made clear that for any domestic act of infringement, a patent holder may request compensation for international harms. Patent Damages in a Globalized Economy | Thought Leadership | Baker Botts
