New Xiaomi IP chief named; Ericsson and Nokia join forces in Brussels; Possible Qualcomm-Transsion deal; Q4’s top patent transactions; plus much more
New Xiaomi IP chief named; Ericsson and Nokia join forces in Brussels; Possible Qualcomm-Transsion deal; Q4’s top patent transactions; plus much more
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There was major market news last week, with IAM revealing a change of IP leadership at Xiaomi. Ran Xu is moving into the company's group strategy department to be succeeded by Na Wei, who becomes one of the few women to head up the IP operation of a major global mobility player. She has two tough acts to follow: both Xu and Paul Lin, who preceded him, significantly grew Xiaomi's patent market presence and the sophistication of its operation. Such were the standards they set it is inconceivable Wei could have got to where she is without being of the very highest calibre.
Elsewhere, it was encouraging to see Nokia and Ericsson working together to make the case for Europe's technology future at a major Brussels event involving CEOs Pekka Lundmark and Börje Ekholm. Not enough Europeans fully understand how important the two Nordic heavyweights are to the world of connectivity and the leadership position they currently secure for Europe in this vital area. In deal news, meanwhile, a possible agreement between Qualcomm and Transsion may have drawn closer, and Sisvel Insights published its latest quarterly round-up of significant patent transactions.
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.
Market
Na Wei took over as head of IP at Xiaomi from Ran Xu, who has moved to the company’s group strategy department. Ran Xu exits as Xiaomi’s IP strategy head - IAM 🔒
Access Advance launched a video distribution patent pool which will license HEVC, VVC, AV1 and VP9 patents. Press Release | Access Advance
Panasonic announced cellular SEP licence deals with Oppo and Xiaomi, ending nearly eighteen months of global litigation. Xiaomi also took a licence from Sun Patent Trust. Panasonic Oppo Press Release | Panasonic SPT Xiaomi Press Release
Nokia struck a licence deal in the video space with Samsung, a multi-year agreement separate from the companies’ 5G pact. Press Release | Nokia
Legal
Qualcomm withdrew patent litigation against Transsion in India and at the UPC, pointing toward resolution of the two companies’ licensing dispute. ip fray | IAM 🔒
Proxsense filed US patent litigation against Hyundai and Kia related to their implementation of an auto industry standard related to digital keys. ip fray
Policy & Opinion
The CEOs of Ericsson and Nokia, joined by leaders from ASML and SAP, jointly called for decisive action – including the withdrawal of the EU SEP regulation – to secure Europe’s tech future. Press Release | Ericsson | Press Release | Nokia
Peter Meier-Beck, retired presiding judge of the German Federal Court of Justice patent senate, published an article considering whether the UPC should set FRAND terms. GRUR International | Oxford Academic
A study from the Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers proposing cellular royalties of less than $3 for vehicles contains numerous inaccuracies, Avanci said. Statement - Avanci
Strategy & Analysis
Samsung remained the leading US patent filer in 2024, with TSMC, Qualcomm, Apple and Huawei rounding out the top five. IAM 🔒
Recent patent transactions indicate market demand for patents emerging from privately-run R&D labs. Sisvel | Strong market for patents generated through private R&D labs
The UPC is playing a decisive role in multinational patent disputes. JUVE Patent
Subscribers received the January edition of Sisvel SEP Insider, which featured details of our Wi-Fi 6 pool deal with Netgear and an interview with business development head Jukka Nihtilä. Sisvel SEP Insider | January newsletter
