Samsung to license Wi-Fi SEPs from Sisvel

Samsung has signed an agreement to license Wi-Fi standard-essential patents from Hera Wireless, a subsidiary of licensing company and patent pool operator Sisvel Group.

The deal, announced yesterday, June 7, settles a patent dispute between the parties and provides for a multi-year worldwide licence covering the sale and distribution of “certain Wi-Fi enabled Samsung products”.

The patents are directed to the IEEE Wi-Fi standard, to which more than 100 of Hera’s patents in 40 countries are essential.

Nick Webb, managing director of Sisvel UK, said the agreement reflects the strength of Hera’s patent portfolio and we are “very happy” to welcome Samsung to “our ever-growing family of licensees”.

The deal comes just a month after Hera signed a similar deal with LG Electronics. On May 8, Sisvel announced a multi-year global deal and the end to infringement claims against LG.

While the telecoms industry has long been heavily reliant on standards, the emergence of the internet of things and other technologies may begin to change the landscape for SEP licensing.

As WIPR recently discussed with Adrian Howes, head of IP and standards, IP regulatory affairs at Nokia, established telecoms players should communicate clearly importance of technologies protected by SEPs so that new entrants are better aware of the potential costs of using certain standards.

Source: WIPR website

Editor: dora