By Telecom Lead Team: Alcatel-Lucent
is set to leverage its portfolio including approximately 29,000 issued patents
through a licensing syndicate to be formed by RPX Corporation. Recently,
Ericsson also announced its plans to strengthen patent revenue.
Patents of Alcatel-Lucent are
relevant for technologies such as fixed line and wireless communications,
semiconductors, consumer electronics, multimedia, optical, software, cloud
computing, applications and network security.
Ericsson, rival to Alcatel-Lucent
and Nokia Siemens Networks, is reorganizing its
Licensing and Patent Development department with the focus on further
monetizing its IPR assets.
Ericsson has 27,000 granted patents
that cover a wide range of technologies, from wireless access (2G, 3G and 4G)
to WLAN and the whole Information and Communications Technology (ICT) value
chain.
We have chosen to undertake an
innovative approach to realizing the value of our world-class patent portfolio,
and while retaining ownership of our patents, we seek to expand access to them
for a diverse set of industries. For a breakthrough arrangement of this
scale, we have decided to work with RPX, a known and respected expert in the
patent market,” said Alcatel-Lucent
CEO Ben Verwaayen.
The licensing approach will be open
to participation from a range of prospective licensees. Fees to obtain
perpetual, non-exclusive licenses under the program – which will include
licenses to both issued Alcatel-Lucent patents and pending applications – will
vary depending on company size, portfolio applicability, technology areas and
other relevant factors.
Our mission is to help our client
network of more than 100 companies control and manage patent-related risk,
whether through defensive patent acquisitions, direct licensing transactions
among operating companies, syndicated transactions, cross-licensing agreements
or other risk- mitigation solutions,” said John Amster, CEO of RPX.
Recently, Ericsson announced that it
is looking at monetizing entire patent portfolio and building on its technology
leadership and R&D investments.
Ericsson to focus on patent portfolio
building for strengthen revenue streams
Ericsson is poised to strengthen
revenue generation as any company using cellular connectivity needs a license
to Ericsson’s industry leading patent portfolio comprising 27,000 patents.
As part of the plan to strengthen
patent business, Ericsson’s chief intellectual property officer, Kasim
Alfalahi, will report directly to president and CEO Hans Vestberg.
Ericsson is a net receiver of
royalties and has signed more than 90 license agreements. With new devices
and other industries entering the world of connectivity, Ericsson targets to
grow its IPR revenues above the SEK 4.6 billion net revenue generated in 2010.
